Randy Dorn
Washington state Schools Superintendent Randy Dorn wants to change testing requirements for this year’s freshmen, over concerns about how few students are passing state tests in math and science.
Dorn wants to delay the requirement that 9th-graders pass both tests before they can graduate in 2013, pushing back the math requirement until 2015 and science until 2017.
Dorn also wants to establish what his office is calling a “two-tier” bar for passing state math tests. If students fall short of passing at a “proficient” level, as is currently called for, they could still graduate if they score at a “basic” level and also pass four years of math classes.
For the past two years, the state has required high-school students to pass tests in reading and writing to graduate, with plans to add science and math by 2013.
Last spring, just 45 percent of 10th-graders passed math on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning, and 39 percent passed science. The WASL is to be replaced with a new test this spring.
Some education and business groups have been pushing for high-school standards that prepare all students to go to four-year colleges, even if they are not so inclined. Many also think the passage rate in math and science will go up when students know the test counts for graduation.
The Legislature would have to approve any proposals before they could be enacted. (Seattle Times)
