High school sophomores across Clark County and Washington today are finishing reading and writing portions of the annual state assessment exam, which most must pass in order to earn their diploma.
Nothing new there.
In April, 10th-graders will take the science portion of the High School Proficiency Exam — successor to the former Washington Assessment of Student Learning, or WASL — also needed to graduate in 2013.
Science is new to the diploma mix, although little is different from last year’s exam section.
But it’s math, again, that presents the biggest change and potential hurdle for the Class of 2013 and beyond.
Washington’s math assessment currently is clear as mud, raising concerns that many students in grades 8-10 might not be prepared for the switch.
Here’s how it was supposed to work, starting this year: Rather than tackle one, all-inclusive math exam, the Class of 2013 would take end-of-year exams — dubbed “End of Course” or EOC exams — as they complete the two standard high school courses offered by Washington’s public schools.
Those are either Algebra I or Integrated Mathematics I (the integrated option is used in most Clark County schools); or Geometry or Integrated Mathematics 2.
Proponents said it would be more fair and accurate to test students fresh off the material, and later in the school year — by rule, the EOCs must be given during the last three weeks of the school year — rather than it was for the old WASL exam, in April. More simple, and cheaper, too, they added.
Problem is, thousands of students take Algebra I and even Geometry early each year, while in middle school. Most are now busy taking advanced math in high school.
To ask current 10th-graders to ace material they haven’t seen for a year or two contradicts the goals of the EOC switch and invites trouble, some educators and parents worry. Also, in some cases, new skill standards have been adopted, negating material learned just two years ago.
State schools chief Randy Dorn acknowledges the problem. Which is why he’s pushed House Bill 1412, which gives this year’s ninth- and 10th-graders (the classes of 2013 and 2014) a break by requiring passing only one of the two EOC exams to meet diploma standards.
The measure passed in the House easily, and now awaits Senate committee and full Senate approval.
“A lot of things are up in the air. We’re going to have to have some patience, that things are going to change,” said Deanna Hogan, assessment specialist for Vancouver Public Schools.
“The crunch this year is that most of the sophomores are (now) in the second year of the integrated course” and will need to take a similar “makeup” exam for Integrated I, she said.
Hogan and her testing peers in other school districts have tried to keep school principals, counselors and mathematics teachers informed, but “the sands are shifting beneath our feet,” she said.
Assuming H.B. 1412 is approved, only one exam would be required. Just which one isn’t quite clear — state K-12 education officials need the law to pass before they set new testing guidelines, even as the weeks fly by. (They also must figure which test results apply to federal No Child Left Behind progress measures.)
For now, Dorn’s office is telling school districts to prepare to administer both tests — to all students in grades 7-10 enrolled in either of the targeted math courses.
Some resolution is likely soon, since legislators are obligated to adopt most legislation by mid-April, even if state budget negotiations bog down. The fact the measure would save dollars now by deferring administration and grading of half the amount of EOC exams won’t hurt its chances.
More flexible
Despite all the uncertainties, the EOC format does give schools greater flexibility.
Since they were aimed at students actively in math class, the EOC testing window is much wider than under the WASL. Deciding school-by-school, districts may test during morning or afternoon math class periods, may set aside one large chunk of time and can test over multiple days of their choice, starting near the end of May.
As with the WASL, there will be follow-up exams for students who fail or miss the first try, the first due in January 2012.
Educators’ advice to students and parents: Make use of online or print EOC prep materials being readied, including some practice assessments (though exact “samples” are not available); seek out teachers’ help; and pay close attention to announced changes and schedules.
