June 2006 Survey of African American & Latino Citizens

A statewide poll of 500 African American and Latino citizens in Washington state revealed high levels of support for requiring that students pass the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL)- or an equally rigorous alternative - in order to earn a high school diploma.

In fact, 72 percent of Latino citizens and 62 percent of African American citizens believed that a diploma should be awarded only after passing the WASL or an alternative. Moreover, 81 percent of Latinos and 83 percent of African American respondents said they would support this requirement even if they had a child who did not pass the WASL on the first try. When asked what level of education they believe will be necessary for students to secure a job that enables them to support a family, 77 percent of Latinos and 82 percent of African Americans said students would need at least two years of education or training beyond the high school diploma. Click here for the press release with an overview of the results.