The WASL retake results released on Wednesday show the good news - now almost 90 percent of last year's sophomores are passing the writing and reading portion of the test. And then we get to math. As stories in both the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and The Seattle Times point out, there is still much work to do.

In all, according to the PI article, 85.7 percent of the Class of 2008 passed the writing test, 87.2 passed the reading test and 57.7 percent passed the math portion.

In both the Times article as well as the PI, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergesen said the state should hold the line on the requirement that all students of the Class of 2008 should pass all three tests before receiving their high school diploma.

The State Board of Education, in partnership with the Office of Public Instruction and the Professional Educators Standards Board, are working on a plan that looks at the math problem from all angles including teacher supports, professional development and certification issues; course credit requirements for graduation; curriculum materials and assessments; and targeted supports for struggling students.

No votes have been taken yet so nothing is official. In fact, the State Board is still working with key stakeholders to gather input. But from our perspective they seem to be focused on the right issues. The State Board realizes they can't do this work alone and that there aren't any silver bullet solutions.

Stay tuned...we're tracking these conversations closely and will keep you apprised as the plan takes further shape.