Frequently Asked Questions

General Graduation Requirements

WASL

Culminating Project

Special Needs Students

English Language Learners

General Questions and Comments

General Graduation Requirements

Who has to meet the new graduation requirements?

The new graduation requirements take effect with the graduating class of 2008, but it’s the year a student starts 9th grade that determines which graduation requirements apply…

  • If a student started in fall 2004 (technically class of 2008), but takes 6 years to graduate (2010), s/he would only have to pass the WASL in reading, writing and math—not science, which is a requirement for the class of 2010—to graduate.
  • If a student started in fall 2003 (technically class of 2007), but takes 5 years to graduate (2008), s/he will not have to meet any of the new graduation requirements.

A student’s graduation year could be reset if…

  • A student transfers to another district, and the new district resets the year.
  • A student has an IEP, and the IEP team decides to reset the year.

The graduation requirements DO NOT apply to private school and home school students, UNLESS the home school student wants a public high school diploma. Then all state and local requirements must be met.

There has been no decision from the State of Washington made about how the new graduation requirements will be applied to students who enter a Washington public high school from a private school or another state or country and whose high school career is almost over.    Top

Why are the graduation requirements changing?

Every day, job prospects and opportunities dwindle for high school graduates without minimum reading, writing and math skills.  The new graduation requirements and changes in Washington’s overall education system are necessary to ensure that all students—regardless of where they live and what they want to be—all get a solid foundation of essential reading, writing and math skills and are prepared for higher education and/or meaningful, well-paying careers.  Top

How do you  plan to squeeze in additional graduation requirements with the limited dollars that are available?

In addition to earning a Certificate of Academic Achievement by meeting standard on the 10th grade WASL by the end of high school, students in the classes of 2008 and beyond will need to meet three other statewide graduation requirements and any local requirements.  Those three requirements are creating a Culminating Project, writing a High School and Beyond Plan, and passing the district’s required set of core courses.

The state pays to administer and score the WASL.  School districts will be responsible for ensuring students are academically prepared to take the WASL and giving them extra support if they aren’t.  Many districts already require students to complete a Culminating Project to graduate. What the new requirements do demand is some re-focusing of attention on the part of teachers, counselors and administrators to help students apply the skills and knowledge they are learning in the classroom to real-world situations (the Culminating Project) and to a serious consideration of what they want to do after high school (the High School and Beyond Portfolio) and how high school can help them be prepared.  Top

How will these extra graduation requirements fit into my child’s already busy schedule?

Students take the WASL during the course of a normal school day and assess what students are learning in school. The Culminating Project and High School and Beyond Plan should be incorporated into a school’s high school curriculum and be a natural outgrowth of what students are already learning and doing.  These requirements were created to help students better apply their learning in preparation for adult life, not to create busywork.  Top

WASL

When will retakes of the WASL be available?

Beginning this year students may retake the high school WASL either during the spring test window, or in August. Any student finishing grades 10, 11, or 12 may retake the WASL in August. Starting with the class of 2008, students will have a total of five opportunities to take the WASL—the first attempt in the spring of 10th grade, plus four retake opportunities.  Top

Is there any data that we could look at to show how students do on the WASL with multiple opportunities?

There isn’t any statewide data yet, but there is an indication from one district piloting retakes that substantially more 11th grade students pass the 10th grade WASL when taking it for the second time a year later.  Any Washington junior will be able to retake the 10th grade WASL in spring 2005, which should provide some good information about how well students can do given additional opportunities.  Top

Do students have to retake the entire WASL if they don’t meet standard in a certain area, or can they just retake a portion of the test?  If scores are shown, should the students retake to try for a better score?  Will only the best score be published?

Students will be able to “bank” the scores for the subjects (reading, writing or math) they passed and will only need to retake the subject(s) in which they didn’t meet standard.  These retakes will be free. Students who pass the WASL in 10th grade but want to boost their scores with another try will be able to retake the test for a small fee. Only the student's highest score will be posted on the transcript.  Top

What if my student gets good grades but doesn’t meet standard on the WASL?  I didn’t know there was a problem because she got good grades.  How can that happen?  The concern is with a student who has a GPA over 3.5, honors classes and in 9th grade pre-AP-English (A-) – score on the WASL was short by a couple of points—then what? 

Consider these possibilities:

  1. Your student has the skills and knowledge but just can’t demonstrate them on the WASL. The alternative might be the right option.
  2. Your student doesn’t have the skills and knowledge yet, but with extra academic help and retakes should be fine.
  3. Your student didn’t take the test seriously or had an off day and therefore didn’t perform as well as s/he does every day in school.
  4. Your student may have/had some easy grading teachers or teachers who didn’t teach the standards.

Requiring ALL students to demonstrate their mastery of basic skills on the WASL ensures that everyone who passes the test can read, write and do math—and, starting with the class of 2010—understand science.  Since each 10th grade student throughout the state takes the same test, meeting standard on this test ensures all students have a foundation of essential skills.  Top

What effect is the WASL having on dropout rates?

Since the WASL is not yet required to graduate, there does not appear to be any direct impact on dropout rates.  Other states that have instituted exit exams have found little to no impact on their dropout rates related to the exam. In Indiana, for example, dropout rates have declined with the implementation of an exit exam.  Some studies show that a student’s poor attendance, bad grades or the need to get a job are more frequent reasons for dropping out that failing the state’s graduation exam.  In fact, in Massachusetts, 39 percent of the students who dropped out in 2003 had passed the MCAS, the state’s exam.

Washington State hopes that expecting students to pass this exam and putting the academic help plans in place will actually keep more students engaged and successful in school and less likely to drop out.   Top

What happens to my student after senior year if he still hasn’t received a Certificate of Academic Achievement?

The student will not receive a high school diploma until s/he has earned a Certificate of Academic Achievement by passing the high school WASL.  Students without a high school diploma can access public education services until age 21.  The state has not decided how to support these students with academic help and/or offer ongoing opportunities to take the high school WASL.  Top

What will colleges see if kids don’t pass the WASL?  Will the transcript show the number of times that a student attempts the WASL?  Are the scores for the WASL going to be on the transcript or just pass or fail?

A student’s transcript will indicate the status of all diploma requirements and note if the student has met standard in the WASL subjects that comprise the Certificate of Academic Achievement.  Starting with the class of 2006, transcripts will reflect a student’s highest WASL scores in each subject area.  Beginning with the class of 2008, students will receive a Scholar’s designation for scoring a Level 4—the highest level—on their first attempt on the 10th grade WASL.  The transcript will also note if a student met the requirement through the WASL or the alternative, or if they earned the Certificate of Individual Achievement.  The transcript will also display the test date associated with each WASL score posted on the transcript.  Top

How does the WASL compare to the SAT in college admissions?  Is there a correlation between the two? I would like to know if there are any indicators that the WASL has raised SAT scores?

The University of Washington (UW) conducted a study comparing SAT and WASL scores as predictors of college success.  The study concluded that WASL scores are as strong a predictor of students’ college success as their SAT scores.  As a result, college presidents in Washington have indicated their interest in using WASL scores as one factor in the college admissions process.  In fact, the UW decided in spring 2004 that, starting with the class of 2006, it would start phasing in the WASL as a factor in scholarships and the admissions process.  Top

Do Running Start students have to earn the Certificate of Academic Achievement?

Yes.  Every student who wants a public high school diploma in Washington state must earn a Certificate of Academic Achievement, beginning in 2008.  Top

Why does it take so long to get WASL results?

The writing portion of the WASL takes the longest time to score because it requires the highest level of scorer training and the most precautions to ensure consistency in scoring.

Beginning in 2006, high school WASL scores will be returned to school districts in early June, before school is out.   The state is considering ways to release results of the high school WASL within the same school year it is administered, to assist schools and families in making decisions about student needs.  Top

Are actual test questions available?

Yes.  The state publicly releases about 30 percent of actual WASL questions each year.  The rest of the questions stay available and secure for future tests.  Released questions and answers are available on the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction web site at www.k12.wa.us and on the Partnership for Learning web site at www.partnership4learning.org.  Top

Are WASL results mailed home to families?  Are they discussed in parent/teacher conferences?

The state creates WASL results summaries for every student and mails those results to school districts. In Central Kitsap the Research and Evaluation Office mails them home to the address recorded in the student information system.  Top

How is the WASL scored?  Who scores the WASL?

WASL scoring is facilitated by Pearson Education Measurement (formerly NCS Pearson), a company renowned in the testing industry for its high-caliber training and quality controls.  Pearson also scores assessments for various professional licensure exams in fields such as nursing, radiology and information technology.  Hundreds of Washington teachers participate in the scoring of test items that won’t be used in the future.  The types of student responses needed to earn points on test items are specified by Washington educators.  That information is then passed on to scorers.  To participate in scoring, Washington teachers must be nominated by their school district officials.  Pearson hires other scorers based on the following criteria:

  1. Priority is given to individuals with degrees and backgrounds related to language arts, mathematics and science.  (Washington teachers not nominated by their school districts may apply to Pearson to help score assessments other than the WASL.)
  2. Priority also is given to applicants with specialized education and professional experience, including experience in performance scoring.  Teaching experience is preferred but not required.
  3. Regardless of previous experience or education, all scorers—including teachers—must meet stringent qualification and monitoring standards.
  4. Scorers must have, at minimum, a four-year college degree and complete an individual interview.
  5. Applicants may be required to complete a grammar placement test and to submit an original writing sample if and when appropriate.

All scorers are monitored daily to ensure they are scoring to the criteria set by Washington educators.  If scoring discrepancies are found, affected tests are rescored by one of the Pearson scoring directors.  Top

Why is the WASL not added to the portfolio like SAT scores instead of making it mandatory to graduate?

Passing the WASL as a graduation requirement was passed by the Washington State Legislature in 1993.  They have maintained their support of this requirement since that time.  The full publication that mandated these requirements can be found at the following web site: http://www.k12.wa.us/SecondaryEducation/pubdocs/HB2195.doc  Top

Will the WASL help prevent my younger children “falling through the cracks”?

That is the full intent of the WASL assessments occurring at each grade level—to determine where students are in relationship to the expected standards.   Top

Will there be accommodations for children who take the math and science part but their writing/reading skills are poor?

If they receive accommodations as part of their regular academic program, they will receive the same accommodations on WASL.  Otherwise, no.  Top

If a student has to take the WASL more than twice, what are the alternatives?

This school year, OSPI is piloting two alternative assessment options—one that combines WASL scores with a student’s grade point average in specified core subjects, and one that allows students to compile a body of work that shows they meet state standards in reading, writing and/or math.  We’ll make recommendations to the legislature in January about pursuing one or both of these options, or some combination of the two.  According to state law, any alternative assessment must be approved by the legislature, and must be as rigorous as the WASL.  Approved alternative assessments may be used after a student has taken the WASL twice and not met standard in one or more areas.  If the legislature approves one or more alternative assessments during the 2006 session, these assessments will be ready for student use in October 2006.  Top

What percentage of this year’s 11th graders met the WASL standards last spring (all the standards needed to pass)?

Thirty seven percent of the students met all four standards.  Top

Current WASL pass rate <60%.  What assurance does CKSD have that pass rate will increase >90%?

We don't have any assurance that pass rates will increase to greater than 90 percent; however, results in other states have shown that when the test becomes mandatory, students show greater effort in their performance.  Top

When will students get their scores back from the summer WASL?

About mid-October.  Top

How will students sign up for the retakes?

Students will be able to register online or via a toll-free telephone number.  Sign-ups will begin in June and registration will close in early July.  Top

What is being done for out of state students who transfer during high school?

At this time all students will need to meet the state requirements to earn a diploma.  Counselors meet with students transferring to determine what credits and standards they will need to complete to be eligible for graduation.  Consideration may be handled on a case by case basis depending on whether the students has taken a test from another state or has taken the SAT or ACT to demonstrate that they have competency in the areas assessed by the WASL.  Top

My child attended private school and as a 7th grader did not have to take WASL, so I have nothing to compare skills to.  Does it matter for the grade 10 WASL?

It depends on how he/she is doing.  You can always have your child take the 10th grade released items to a) give them a sense of what's tested, and b) identify areas of strength/weakness.  Top

Culminating Project

Who sets the criteria and grading standards for the Culminating Project?  When do students have to complete the project? What is the grading criteria for the culminating project?  Will students who select an academically challenging project get any additional boost to their GPA?

Each school district is responsible for setting its own guidelines for the Culminating Project.  Students must complete the project to graduate, so it must be completed by the end of 12th grade.  There is a consistent framework for the components of the Culminating Project at each high school in Central Kitsap.  Students are required to explore an interest that connects to their future, apply academic skills that have been learned throughout their schooling experience, consult with a person outside the school who has expertise in the field being studied, maintain a learning log and make a formal presentation about their project.  The grading criteria is standardized for the entire district.  Staff will utilize a common checklist or rubric to review each component of the Culminating Project to determine if it meets CKSD standards.

No additional credit or boost to the GPA is provided.  Top

You talked only about the Culminating Project being done the summer before or during the senior year.  Can they do this prior to this time—during their sophomore or junior year?

There are some components of the project that may be completed prior to the senior year, depending on the type of project the student plans.  Most students will complete the Reflective Essay and Oral Presentation during the senior year.  Top

Will some sort of notification come out for possible failure on the Culminating Project and the portfolio?

Yes, information will be provided as a part of a student’s progress report.  Top

How do you plan to implement the culminating project?  Will a Boy Scout Eagle project be accepted?

Each school is establishing the process for how the culminating project will be implemented.  Schools would accept a proposal that is based on an Eagle Scout project as long as it meets the established guidelines.  Top

Will the students have an advisor that will help them when they need it?  How will the culminating project will be implemented in my son’s school (Olympic)?

Each school is establishing a process for how they will monitor and support students as they work on the Culminating Project.  This year schools are piloting a process and will finalize that process by the end of the year.  Information on how your child’s school will implement this requirement will be available by the end of the 2005-06 school year.  Top

What is the “Parent Permission” part of the Culminating Project?

A copy of the parent permission is available for you to view on pages 9-10 of the Culminating Project Handbook.  Parents are being asked to review their child’s project proposal and indicate that they understand and approve of the project.  Top

Are students going to be given information to help with these projects?

Yes, information that is contained in the guidelines will be provided to students.  The guidelines include ideas on projects, the template for completing all required components and the grading criteria.  Top

When are the High School and Beyond and Culminating Project due?

Students must complete all aspects of the High School and Beyond Portfolio and the Culminating Project prior to graduation.  Top

My fourth daughter is focused and ready to go to college like her sisters.  I’m not convinced that her time would be better served pursuing her academic studies and not the plans and projects.  Can you tell me, is it mandatory?

Yes the Culminating Project and the High School and Beyond Portfolio are mandatory for students statewide to earn a diploma from a public school. The Culminating Project represents the culmination of a student’s K-12 education.  Employers and universities indicate that workers and students need to be able to bring complex ideas together in order to be successful.  Bringing complex ideas together might include knowing how to merge modern technologies to manage machinery, serve customers, or locate and use a wide variety of information.  In-depth examination of a Culminating Project topic requires students to make wide searches and to extend searches for more and more information.  Furthermore, Culminating Project research requires students to understand and organize information from a variety of sources, to interpret this information meaningfully, and to communicate this meaning to others.  These are all important skills for future success in any endeavor.

Businesses also indicate a need for new employees to enter the work world with good time management and goal-setting skills; these are the same skills that are needed for academic success after high school. Students and workers must be able to solve problems and make good decisions.  Completing a successful Culminating Project is a long process with many steps; focusing on one area of interest will provide the student with guidance in making decisions about choices in life after high school.  Successful completion of this process demonstrates that a student can manage complex, time-consuming tasks successfully, and can master a body of information about a field and communicate it to others; it also provides a portfolio of work that could be displayed to a prospective employer or university.   Top

Special Needs Students

What is being done to ensure that special needs students will pass the WASL and graduate from high school? My child has an IEP.  He is in 7th grade this year and was unable to pass his 4th grade WASL.  If he were to receive a certificate of individual achievement rather than academic achievement, how will this affect his future, i.e., college, workforce?

It’s important to remember that about 90 percent of special education students are deemed capable of taking the WASL with or without accommodations.  A student’s IEP team currently decides if and how a special education student will participate in the WASL (with or without accommodations and which ones). Examples of accommodations include: 1.) Scheduling (administer test over the entire testing window, provide frequent breaks, etc.), 2.) setting (private space, small group, special furniture/lighting, music, etc.), 3.) presentation (re-read directions, pointing to an item, encouraging students to remain on task, etc.), and 4.) a scribe.

As part of a bill passed by the 2004 Legislature, special education students for whom the WASL is not an appropriate assessment, given their level of disability, may earn an alternative “Certificate of Individual Achievement” instead of the Certificate of Academic Achievement to receive their high school diplomas. Students may demonstrate their skills and abilities to earn this alternate certificate in a number of ways—specifics will be spelled out in each student’s individual education plan (IEP). The IEP team must choose the most appropriate way to asses the student, using the guidelines established by the state.  These options are, WASL, WASL with accommodations, DAW, and Portfolio.  A decision is made for each section of the test.  If a student is assessed in any area using the WAAS, then they would be on track for the Certificate of Individual Achievement.

At this time we are not sure how a student would be impacted (if at all) by the Certificate of Individual Achievement versus the Certificate of Academic Achievement.  Top

How can parents be more involved in making sure that special needs students can meet these standards?

The most important thing parents can do is to stay engaged in their child’s education.  Talk with teachers regularly about any problems your child is having in mastering basic reading, writing and math skills, and provide extra help at home.  Use the released WASL test items available on the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction web site at www.k12.wa.us to better understand the skills and knowledge required at each grade level.  When Certificate of Academic Achievement or Certificate of Individual Achievement requirements for special needs students are finalized, make sure the individual education plan developed for your child is appropriate for his/her abilities.  Top

English Language Learners

Are testing accommodations made for students who have limited English proficiency?

Yes.  The need for testing accommodations is determined by assessing the student’s English proficiency level during the current school year.  Decisions for necessary testing accommodations must be documented and placed in the student’s folder.  Two accommodations are available for students who are in bilingual or migrant programs:

  1. Students may have someone read to them the math and science test items verbatim—in English.
  2. Over the two days of the writing test, students may have access to a print or electronic dictionary and/or thesaurus.  No spell check is permitted.  Top
What happens to ELL students who haven’t passed the WASL by the end of high school?

The state’s community and technical colleges are developing assistance programs for students who are still learning English, haven’t earned the Certificate by their senior year and would find a community college setting more appropriate for them to continue their work toward the Certificate and a high school diploma.  (Note: It has not been discussed as to whether these programs or similar ones would be available to any student who does not earn the Certificate by the end of senior year.)  Top

General Questions and Comments

How are you going to help struggling students?

Starting last year, every student in the class of 2008 who did not pass the 7th grade WASL has a student learning plan that addresses:

  • Actions the school intends to take to improve the student's skills and strategies;
  • Strategies to help parents improve their child's skills; and
  • Courses, competencies, and other steps needed to meet academic standards and stay on track for graduation.

In the next two years, every student who did not pass the 4th, 7th or 10th grade WASL will have a student learning plan, which is to be maintained until the student meets standard on the WASL or WASL retakes.  Top

My kids are going to college, but how do I make sure they’re ready?

Students who want to go on to college must take rigorous coursework throughout high school—particularly in the 11th- and 12th grades.  Minimum college admission requirements to the state’s public four-year institutions include 4 years of English, 3 years each of math and social science, 2 years each of science and foreign language/American Sign Language/Native American language and 1 year of fine arts.  While requirements to get into community and technical colleges may seem less stringent, upon admission, students will be required to take placement tests in English and math.  Strong skills in those areas are a must so students can avoid taking remedial courses while in college—courses that won’t count toward their degrees.  All students should be encouraged to take the same set of rigorous coursework whether they’re going on to a 4-year university, a community or technical college or any kind of postsecondary training.  About three-quarters of Washington graduates enroll in some kind of college or training program within three years of high school graduation.  Top

How do I track my kid’s progress?

There are many ways to stay engaged in your child’s education.  Attend parent-teacher conferences—or request them.  Ask for regular verbal or written progress reports—don’t rely on your child for accurate information about their performance.  Talk to your child regularly about what she’s doing in school. Monitor and help with homework.  Top

Besides scholarships, will there be any financial assistance available or plans to be made available for parents facing financial restrictions needing alternative resources or help.  Where do I get financial support for summer school?  Will there be help with summer school cost?  Particularly for children with IEPs?.

If your family qualifies for free or reduced lunch there is a reduced fee schedule.  OSPI has made a request to the legislature to fund more summer school opportunities for all students.  Top

Do counselors set up regular meetings or does my student need to do this?  How often are counselors meeting with students or are they unless I make an appointment?

Each school has a different process and schedule for counselors working with students.  In general, counselor/student meetings are set up by students, or sometimes by counselors when they become aware of a need.  Counselors try to meet with all seniors in the fall to check on credits and progress toward their post-secondary plans. Throughout the year counselors meet periodically with students that are having academic difficulty.  Contact your child’s school to get information on when counselors are available for appointments.  Top

How often do students discuss this with counselors?

Students hear about graduation requirements prior to registration.  Students start in 7th grade with classroom presentations from the counselors.  Counselors see them every year in a classroom setting and continue to see them on an individual basis.  By their junior year students should be able respond accurately when questioned about their graduation requirements.  Students are also provided information/instruction on various post-secondary opportunities at this time. Top

How often should my child and I visit with a counselor concerning college?  Twice as a junior?  Senior year?

How often a parent and child should meet with a counselor regarding college admissions really depends on how much assistance the parent and student need.  Counselors do a very good job of helping students who are asking for help.  The key is to communicate to the counselor on what assistance your student needs.

Some general timelines for students:

Sophomores - In the fall take PSAT.

Juniors - In the fall take PSAT.  In the spring take SAT/ACT and visit college campuses.

Seniors - In the fall they should take SAT/ACT and apply to colleges.  In January apply to Financial Aid.  They should be seeking out scholarships all year long.

** Check each school's web site for further info **  Top

What matrix are you using to measure curriculum in classes?

All teachers have worked to align their curriculum to the Grade Level Expectations that have been developed by OSPI.  Information about the state requirements can be found at http://www.k12.wa.us/CurriculumInstruct/default.aspx

District could provide: a possible video of this presentation available from district web site.

Great idea.  We are working on this and hope to have it available before the end of the year.

More information on graduation requirements can be found on the CKSD web site: http://www.cksd.wednet.edu/TeachLearn/index.htm