POULSBO — For this year’s sophomore class, passing the Washington Assessment of Student Learning is paramount. The state standardized test holds the key to the most precious bounty of an adolescent’s world — a high school diploma.
And according to preliminary results for North Kitsap sophomores, some students may need extra practice to find and unlock the treasure.
Beginning with the class of 2008, students must meet the state standard in reading, writing and the math sections of the WASL exam in order to earn a Certificate of Academic Achievement — the state’s newest graduation requirement. Sophomores and juniors who didn’t meet standard in any of those three WASL sections will be offered free summertime preparatory classes and test retakes.
But the North Kitsap School District summer WASL prep class schedule has changed, said NKSD summer school principal Carol Cleveland.
The district had originally planned to run the math prep class beginning June 28, however, the math course will now run in conjunction with the WASL reading and writing as well as normal summer school beginning in July, she said.
WASL reading, writing and math preparatory classes will be held from 8-10 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. to noon Monday-Thursday July 10 through Aug. 10 at North Kitsap High School.
A parent/student introductory meeting, outlining particulars from scheduling to a course synopsis, will be held at 6:30 p.m. June 30 at the NKHS commons.
The last day to register for WASL prep classes is June 29, Cleveland said. Registration materials can be found online at www.nksd.wednet.edu, at NKHS and at local Kitsap Regional Libraries.
In August, following the prep classes students will have their first chance at a WASL retake. Student needing retakes must register by July 9 by calling (866) 400-9275 or going online to www.k12.wa.us/waslregistration. Only sophomores and juniors are eligible for WASL retakes.
There will be a total of four retake testing opportunities available for students who did not meet standards on one or more sections of the WASL: August 2006, Spring 2007, Fall 2007 and Spring 2008.
Preliminary results for this year’s 10th grade WASL scores, released to the North Kitsap School District June 8, show that with the weight of graduation hanging on the test, North Kitsap sophomores improved substantially in reading and writing, while math scores improved slightly.
Finalized 10th grade results along with results for students in all other grade levels who took the WASL or participated in the Washington Alternative Assessment System in 2006 will be released in September.
According to preliminary NK results for reading in 2006, of 563 tests taken, 473 NKHS students met standard, while in writing 471 students met standard out of a total of 563 tests taken. That leaves less than 100 students, respectively, in need of a retake in those areas.
However, in math, conforming with statewide trends, 246 NKHS students did not meet standard out of 555 total tests taken. Statewide, of 70,255 tests taken only 37,866 (or about 54 percent) met standard.
