OSPI

Ladies and Gentleman, the Washington Class of 2009

maureen — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:34:26 -0500

Class of 2009 Raises the Bar, But Dropouts Remain a Problem
Progress Reports for the Class of 2010 and 2011
WASL Replacement Plans Move Forward

Class of 2009 Raises the Bar, But Dropouts Remain a Problem

While more than 93 percent of 12th graders in the class of 2009 passed the reading and writing state exams, there remain a concerning number of students who dropped out long before graduation. That’s according to the preliminary results of the high school Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL), released today by Superintendent Randy Dorn.

Dorn said that while the percentage of students passing the state reading and writing exams is impressive, he emphasized that the graduation picture of the class is much more complex.

“I applaud the hard work of the students who stayed in school and passed the state reading and writing tests,” Dorn said. “But we have to increase our focus on those students who don’t make it that far.”

Washington’s on-time graduation rate has averaged about 72 percent between 2004 and 2008, with an extended graduation rate of about 77 percent over the same five-year period. The state’s annual dropout rate is nearly 6 percent, which means that each year the state loses a little more than one in every 20 students. Over a four-year period, though, more than 20 percent of the state’s high school students have dropped out.

While the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) won’t have full details about the class of 2009 until late fall, the agency has released data of what happened with the class of 2008 over four years. The class of 2008, which started in 2004-05, began with approximately 89,500 students and lost about 18,500 (21 percent) due to dropouts. When the class graduated last June, another 4,000 students remained in lower grades or remained as returning 12th graders, likely because of a lack of credits.

“Our graduation statistics have been consistent enough over the years that it makes sense to apply the 2008 numbers to the current graduating class,” Dorn said.

Students in the class of 2009 had to meet four state graduation requirements, including passing a reading and writing state assessment or a state-approved alternative. Students also needed to complete a high school and beyond plan, a culminating project and district credit requirements.

WASL results, along with on-time graduation data, tell an important story, Dorn said. By only looking at the performance of students on the state reading and writing exams, it would appear that the achievement gap between certain ethnicities and white students has decreased.

However, Dorn said, state exam results are only one indicator of the achievement gap picture.

For example, an average of 86.5 percent of American Indian/Alaskan Native students passed the reading and writing state exams the past two years. However, that group saw an on-time graduation rate of just 48 percent in 2008. The same held true for Pacific Islanders, African Americans and Hispanics. Those groups all had passing rates of 85 percent or higher for students who stayed in high school all four years, but all saw an on-time graduation rate of 60 percent or lower.

“Keeping students in high school and engaged in learning is an issue that every community, school, legislator and state leader must address,” Dorn said. “We can’t afford to fail our students.”

To learn more about the requirements for the Class of 2009 and the upcoming requirements for the Classes of 2010-2013, visit OSPI’s resource page.

To find out about the alternative methods for students to meet state standards and graduation requirements, visit OSPI’s Certificate of Achievement page.

Progress Reports for the Class of 2010 and 2011

Click on the images below to view the progress of the Classes of 2010 and 2011 to date.

OSPI will release results for the grades 3-8 WASL in late August. That’s also when district-by-district numbers for all grades will be posted to the OSPI Report Card.

WASL Replacement Plans Move Forward

Next school year, the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) will be replaced with the grades 3-8 Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) and the High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE). Beginning in spring 2010, the new state tests will be shorter and online testing will be piloted in reading and math.

Online testing is voluntary for elementary and middle schools during the next two years, but will be required in 2012. Online high school testing will not be piloted until 2011 and will be available statewide in 2012.

“The move to online testing is an important first step in making our state assessment system a true tool that teachers and families can use to help assess how well a student is learning,” Superintendent Randy Dorn said. “While we’re not the first state to implement online testing, we’ll certainly be ahead of most. We’re confident this is the direction the rest of the nation will soon be going.”

Replacing the WASL, however, does not eliminate the state high school graduation requirements, which, among other requirements, call for high school students to pass the reading and writing state exams and to either pass the math test or earn two credits of math after 10th grade. Students can also meet the assessment requirement by passing other state-approved alternatives.

A major concern for Dorn has been the amount of time it takes to administer the WASL. Beginning next year, that time will basically be cut in half with single sessions in reading, math and science taking no more than 90 minutes on the MSP and 120 minutes on the HSPE. That’s compared to two 90-minute sessions in grades 3-8 for those subjects on the WASL and two 120-minute sessions in high school. For 2010, writing remains unchanged, but will likely be moved to an online platform in the next year or two (click the chart above to view a timeline).

The testing dates for the High School Proficiency Exams will generally remain the same in spring 2010 as they have in the past, except reading, math and science will take only one session:

Reading, March 16 (only one session)
Writing, March 17-18 (two sessions)
Math, April 13 (one session)
Science April 15 (one session)

While state fall online testing is no longer an option because of budget cuts, OSPI will be able to provide a diagnostic testing tool for teachers and students beginning in the fall of 2010 thanks to $4.4 million from the Legislature (House Bill 1244, Sec. 513). OSPI envisions a system in which students will be able to take online practice tests throughout the school year based on specific sections within the state learning standards. The results of the online practice tests will be available immediately and assist teachers in identifying any possible weaknesses in a student’s learning.

In fall 2009, students will be able to view a tutorial of the MSP online testing system, allowing them to familiarize themselves with the system far in advance of spring 2010 testing.

School districts have already received spring 2009 high school WASL scores and are now mailing the WASL score reports.

At Partnership for Learning, we seek to ensure that any modifications made to Washington’s student assessment do not compromise the reliability or validity of the tests or the scores they report. Accordingly, we plan to monitor Dorn’s changes to the WASL closely to confirm that rigor of the tests is maintained.

To learn more about changes to student assessment in Washington, please visit OSPI’s assessment page.

Delay math and science graduation requirements, again? We don’t think so.

maureen — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:59:55 -0500

Supt. Dorn’s plans to request a delay of the state’s math and science assessment graduation requirements met opposition from multiple papers over the weekend. For nice takes on the issue, check out the two editorials below.

Tacoma News Tribune: No more delays for math requirement
The Daily News: Time to stop waffling on WASL requirements

Or don’t take their word for it, ask State Board Chair Mary Jean Ryan:

"It is frustrating and it is very disappointing to keep talking about delay," Ryan told the Seattle Times.
Every time the state has delayed the new high school graduation requirements, progress on improving instruction has slowed, she said. Any plan to delay the graduation requirements should be coupled with a plan for accelerating progress, she added.

WASL Replacement Plans Move Forward

maureen — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:26:15 -0500

Curious about how Supt. Dorn's plans to replace the WASL are shaping up? Me too. For the most up-to-date thinking on Washington's assessment transitition--including shortened responses and soon-to-be online testing--check out today's release from OSPI.

But, in case there was any confusion on the status of graduation requirements:

"Replacing the WASL, however, does not eliminate the state high school graduation requirements, which, among other requirements, call for high school students to pass the reading and writing state exams and to either pass the math test or earn two credits of math after 10th grade. Students can also meet the assessment requirement by passing other state-approved alternatives."

At least that's settled.

Massachusetts does what Washington can only dream

maureen — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:07:17 -0500

And I’m not talking about winning sports teams. Well, maybe a little bit, but I digress.

In case you missed it last week, Massachusetts education leaders announced a plan to inject a reality check this fall into the "good class vs. bad class" debate by tracking the performance of individual students as they advance from one grade to the next. The new measurement could shed light on who is falling short -- teacher or pupil -- and lead to fundamental changes in the way students are taught.

According to the Boston Globe:
Under the current system, the state judges a school's success by comparing its MCAS scores at each particular grade level to the scores posted by that grade the year before. The English and math MCAS tests are given in grades 3 through 8 and in grade 10. (Just like Washington)
Using the new tool, the state will augment that analysis by examining the performance of individual students or classes of students over the period of several years, starting in the third-grade. (Not at all like Washington)

Why is this a good idea? Let us count the ways. Tracking individual student performance over time:

Leads to earlier interventions for students who appear to be lagging behind;
Allows the state to monitor the growth of students from similar socioeconomic backgrounds;
Helps education leaders identify schools making huge leaps in student performance, even if a certain school is performing below the state average; and
Reports on whether or not a student is truly on track to reaching proficiency by predicting future scores.

While we’ve played around the edges of this sort assessment reform in Washington, we simply haven’t gotten our acts together—wow, guess the sports metaphor really does work—to create system which delivers this kind of invaluable information. One hopes that as OSPI explores how best to improve Washington’s assessment system, they’ll consider the incredible potential systems like Massachusetts is creating, hold for our state’s students and teachers.

OSPI Releases Plan for Washington Assessment: WCAP

laura — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:25:23 -0600

Change is coming to Washington education assessment. Last week, OSPI released a “webinar”—a power point and mp3 file narrated by Assessment Supt. Joe Willhoft—that states Supt. Randy Dorn’s Top 5 budget and policy priorities. And you guessed it: replacing the WASL made the list. So, what is the future of assessment in Washington?

Well, it’s called the Washington Comprehensive Assessment Program (WCAP) and listed below are the six goals, according to OSPI.

1. Shorten the tests
2. Reduce the amount of time students spend on written responses
3. Return scores more quickly
4. Increase the use of technology
5. Provide more diagnostic information to teachers/parents
6. Minimize costs

The webinar provides citizens and educators with a timeline showing implementation of the new system that includes measuring students’ progress in grades 3-8, and high school proficiency exams too. Students are tested in reading, writing, math and science. The statewide goal for testing is set to begin in 2011-2012.

Also detailed, are the new math and science standards showing performance expectations arranged by course. It’s somewhat easy to read. And before the 20-slide webinar concludes with a “thank you for your support,” issues that may arise with the new testing, such as translation, are very briefly addressed. Check back frequently for further updates on Washington assessment.

Supt. Randy Dorn at City Club

maureen — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 13:41:55 -0600

Missed City Club and Partnership for Learning’s Conversation with Randy Dorn, yesterday? Fear not, we've got your video proof right here. Take a gander courtesy of the good public servants at TVW.

Dorn’s WASL Proposals Raise Eyebrows

Caroline — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:31:33 -0600

People are starting to ask good, hard questions about Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn’s proposals to replace the WASL. Yesterday’s Seattle Post-Intelligencer editorial, which warns that “taxpayers, employers and parents should watch for a crash that seriously injures educational quality,” raises a few of the same questions we’re having:

On Dorn’s proposal to delay math and science test-based graduation requirements:
“Substantively, we don't understand Dorn's idea that we need another delay in a state math test for high school graduation, to 2014. And he projects the baffling ambiguity of a 20th century high school principal about whether he even wants science testing for 21st century students to graduate high school.”

On the ability of a shorter test to provide meaningful diagnostic information to teachers:
“We like the sound of Dorn's plan to shorten testing and provide better diagnostic tools on where students need extra help. But common sense suggests that it is easier to get good feedback on students' performance with more test questions, not fewer.”

On Dorn’s “authority” to implement changes:
“Dorn needs to work carefully with not just the Legislature, but also the State Board of Education and Gov. Chris Gregoire.”

(Note: This is not just sage public relations advice. State law requires OSPI to consult with the State Board of Education around any changes to the assessment system; lawmakers have the ability to review any changes, not to mention, they control the purse strings; the Governor holds veto power; and the US Department of Education reviews state tests to ensure they comply with the testing requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act.)

We welcome efforts to improve our state assessment system. We just need to make sure that change equals improvement, resulting in better opportunities and outcomes for every student.

As this conversation evolves, Washington state would be wise to take heed of other states who are already moving ahead to develop common standards and assessments that prepare all students to be ready for the demands of college and work, and to be counted among the world’s best and the brightest. (Benchmarking for Success: Ensuring U.S. Students Receive a World-Class Education and Achieve’s America Diploma Project.)

For more information, read the complete P-I editorial.

New Superintendent Brings New Reforms to Washington Assessment

maureen — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 11:03:00 -0600

Superintendent Randy Dorn Announces Plans to Replace the WASL
Washington's First STEM High School to Open this Fall
The WASL: Who, what, why and how
League Education Voters Releases Citizen's Report Card
Building a Movement: Excellent Schools Now

Superintendent Randy Dorn Announces Plans to Replace the WASL

Superintendent Randy Dorn unveiled his plans for a new state assessment system Wednesday, including the replacement of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning. The new system will begin to take effect in the 2010-2011 school year.

“I was elected on a promise to replace the WASL with a fairer, less expensive system of measuring student learning. This announcement today affirms my intention to do what’s right for our kids and our schools and to deliver on that promise as quickly as is possible,” said Dorn, who was sworn in as the state’s 15th superintendent of public instruction on January 13.

Because of time constraints, Dorn said no changes can be made to the WASL during this school year. However, beginning in spring 2010, the state will replace the WASL with two new tests: the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) in grades 3-8 and the High School Proficiency Exams (HPSE).

The new state assessment system will be called the Washington Comprehensive Assessment Program (WCAP). Dorn has six goals related to state testing:

Shorten the tests
Reduce the amount of time students spend on written responses
Return scores more quickly
Increase the use of technology (statewide computer testing)
Provide more diagnostic information (strengths and weaknesses) to teachers/families
Minimize costs

Dorn’s plan calls for computer-delivered reading, math and science tests to be available as an option to school districts beginning in 2010 with the goal of statewide implementation by 2012. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) will look closely at the feasibility of computerized scoring of the writing test. That would further reduce costs.

“We need a state testing system that makes sense to teachers, students and families,” Dorn said. “Our tests need to be tied to technology and provide immediate feedback to teachers so they can better assist their students. Computerizing the tests will also require far less resources, both in time and money.”

The grades 3-8 Measurements of Student Progress tests will be offered twice each school year, beginning in the fall of 2010. This allows students the opportunity to show proficiency more than once and provides diagnostic and educational growth information to better support individualized teaching plans.

The High School Proficiency Exams will be shorter and contain fewer extended answer questions, although Supt. Dorn is comitted to retaining the test as a graduation requirement.

Computerizing the tests will also allow a much faster turnaround on results, allowing students, teachers and families more timely information on those students who need to be retested. Additionally, computerizing the tests will save school districts significant resources in time, money and staffing when administering the tests.

At Partnership for Learning, we're encouraged that Supt. Dorn and his team share in the belief that there are certain basic skills students should master before graduating. Maintaining a state assessment system that ensures students master those basic skills is important, and we look forward to working with Supt. Dorn on the WASL and other improvements to our education system in the future.

To learn more about Superintendent Dorn’s plan for a new state assessment system, please visit OSPI’s website.

Washington's First STEM High School to Open this Fall

After two years of planning, funding difficulties, and location challenges, Tri-Cities will open the region’s first Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) high school. Recently named “Delta High School,” the cutting-edge institution—which is open to all students in the area—will provide an environment where students can learn the skills necessary to succeed in 21st Century careers.

The road that led to one of Washington’s first STEM high schools has not been easy. Until recently, due to a lack of funding, the opening of the school was in question. However, Battelle recently closed the gap and donated the remaining $1.2 million needed. Now the school plans to be up and running in the fall. So with all of the setbacks and challenges behind, students in Tri-Cities can look ahead and “put on their innovative thinking caps.”

The school, which is located at Columbia Basin College’s Richland campus, will open its doors in August to 100 freshmen. Thereafter, one grade per year will be added until the school serves 400 students. Delta High School will have innovative curriculum and professional development programs, and students will also have learning opportunities outside the classroom.

With technology rapidly advancing and more nations competing in the global economy, it is essential students learn how to gather and analyze data, think critically, and solve complex problems. One only has to look at how President Barack Obama communicated digitally throughout his campaign, to imagine how technology will continue to advance. What lies ahead is uncertain. But what is certain, is students in Tri-Cities have greater opportunity through STEM for gaining the 21st Century skills they’ll need.

To learn more about Delta High School, visit its website.

The WASL: Who, what, why and how

Ever wonder how many students passed the high school WASL (93%)? Or what's happened to our drop-out rate since the dawn of the WASL (it's gone down), or graduation rate (it's gone up). Or how the test is changing? Or why we even have a test like the WASL?

We're here to help. This week, Partnership for Learning released an updated "Frequently Asked Questions about the WASL" on our website. Learn more about the WASL visiting our "Assessments" page.

League Education Voters Releases Citizen's Report Card

Curious about the grades a Washington education would get if states were given report cards? The League of Education Voters Citizen's Report Card lets you know. Published every two years, the report shows where Washington has made progress from early learning through higher education and where there is plenty to improve upon.

To view this great tool designed to empower citizens with information, visit the League of Education Voters website.

Building a Movement: Excellent Schools Now

A Community Breakfast

Join us for the launch of a dynamic, new statewide coalition, Excellent Schools Now, co-led by Partnership for Learning and the League of Education Voters. This new coalition brings together a unique blend of the state's education, business and community-based organizations. At the breakfast, hear some of the state's most influential figures in education reform talk about their priorities for transforming our schools and learn more about what you can do to help prepare every Washington student for college, work and life.

Date: Thurs. Jan. 29, 2009
Time: 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Location: Governor's Hotel, Olympia, WA
To RSVP email: Susan Pollack

Irene Smith: In Praise of Terry Bergeson

maureen — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:21:41 -0600

I first became aware of Terry Bergeson in 1993 when I was a parent PTA volunteer in the Yakima School District. I was invited by our then superintendent to participate in a series of meetings put together by the Washington State Commission on Student Learning. I was impressed that the state was interested in what a parent of young children might have to suggest regarding the creation of standards and accountability for improving schools.

During that conference, Terry Bergeson spoke to a large group of educators, business leaders, and other community members. I noticed how passionate she was about children and about the high expectations we should all have for their education. She didn’t hold back when laying out the responsibilities of communities and educators for making sure all students are successful. I knew then that she was a force to be reckoned with when it came to making hard choices and holding firm to a high standard for students and teachers. I admired her commitment and believed in her goals.

However, the feeling I had then is miniscule compared to my admiration for Terry Bergeson today. I don’t know her personally, but I have seen her impact on schools.

I am proud to be a Washington state educator. I believe that Terry Bergeson, in her three terms as Superintendent of Public Instruction for the state, has created a legacy of excellence in teaching and successfully helped reform schools, making a difference for thousands of Washington students. Her efforts to address the achievement gap are the most impressive. High expectations for ALL students is the goal. It means educators have to work really hard to reach our struggling and at-risk students. No excuses. Everyone needs to do their best.

The WASL test that everyone loves to hate, actually does measure (far better than an easy to grade multiple choice standardized test) whether students are able to communicate effectively and use their skills to demonstrate understanding in Math, Reading, Writing and Science. Terry Bergeson has taken a lot of heat for the WASL test even though it was envisioned, designed and is monitored by a wide range of education stakeholders. It seems to me that the reason many people are frustrated with the test is its punitive use by the National No Child Left Behind Act to label schools (and some students) as deficient even as they make progress toward the unrealistic dream of 100 percent student proficiency.

As a parent of students in the Washington public school system, as a teacher in that system, and as a community member with a vested interest in the quality performance of our schools, I want to thank Terry for championing quality teaching and learning in the state of Washington. Terry, you have made an amazing difference for kids.

Irene Smith is a guest blogger and teacher in the Yakima School District.

Previous Blogs:

Making the Small Difference

Irenic Idealism

Terry Takes her Bow

maureen — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:31:27 -0600

Last Friday, Terry Bergeson, Washington’s long-time lion of education reform, gave her last “state of education” speech as state superintendent.

She said the two biggest challenges the state’s education system will face in the years ahead will be a lack of money and the punitive side of federal education laws. Well, you can say that again…and she did:

“Any cuts to our already strained and underfunded system will be devastating,” Bergeson told the Washington State School Directors’ Association at its meeting in Spokane. “Education is our paramount duty, regardless of the fiscal crisis that we face.”

According to the AP, Bergeson also congratulated Randy Dorn, who was elected to take her place as superintendent of public instruction. However, she spoke out against his plans to get rid of the WASL and said she continues to support the goal of higher education standards.

“As President-elect Obama says: ‘Mend it, don’t end it,’” Bergeson said. “I make no apologies for the Washington Assessment of Student Learning. It's an excellent test that uses a mixture of multiple choice and essay questions to gauge student achievement of our standards in a way that no 'off-the-shelf' test not aligned with our standards can possibly do. ... Can it be improved? Of course it can. The test will be considerably shorter in most grades this spring."

Terry, I think I speak for the great not-so-silent majority when I tip my hat and thank you for mending Washington’s education system for the past two decades. You’ll be missed.