Certificates

Certificate of Academic Achievement (CAA)

The CAA tells families, schools, businesses and colleges that a student has mastered a minimum set of reading, writing and math skills by graduation.

For the Classes of 2008-2012, students must meet standard on the 10th-grade WASL in reading and writing in order to graduate. In 2007, the Washington State Legislature decided to delay the WASL requirement in math and science until 2013. But to earn a Washington diploma, students that didn't pass the math WASL must enroll in an appropriate math class for one to two years, depending on how long it takes them to pass the math WASL.

Ask your child's teacher or counselor for guidance on what math class your child should be enrolled in. Many high schools around the state have designed specific classes to help students that struggled on the math WASL. But its important to know that for students to be successful on the math WASL, these classes should cover early algebra and geometry concepts.

Also keep in mind that a student's transcript will still note whether he/she has met the reading, writing and math graduation requirement, thereby earning the Certificate of Academic Achievement.

While this special designation will not be required to earn a Washington diploma until 2013, some employers and colleges may ask for proof that a student earned the CAA and could factor this in when making hiring or admissions decisions.

Certificate of Individual Achievement (CIA)

The CIA is available for students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Created for special education students who meet specified criteria, here are the ways a student with an IEP can earn a CIA:

1. As 10th-graders, students earn a CIA by passing the WASL-Modified (WASL-MO) or WAAS-Portfolio.
   • With the WASL-MO, students take the WASL at grade level but IEP teams determine if passing is adjusted from Proficient (Level 3) to Basic (Level 2). Testing accommodations are allowed, but they must match the accommodations a student uses every day at school and must be included in a student's IEP.
   • With the WAAS-Portfolio, students unable to participate in paper and pencil tests show their skills and knowledge through a collection of their work.
   
   
2. In grades 11 and 12, students who have not yet earned a CIA may also access the Developmentally Appropriate WASL (WAAS-DAW).
   With the WAAS-DAW, students take the WASL at a grade level that best matches their abilities. To pass the WAAS-DAW, students must earn Proficient (Level 3) on each test taken. Testing accommodations used must be consistent with the student's IEP.

For more information, please read How Students in Special Education Participate in State Testing or visit the OSPI website.