Graduation Requirements - WASL
On MAY 8, 2007, Governor Gregoire signed into law substitute Senate Bill 6023, which makes changes to the WASL graduation requirements, including delaying the requirement that students pass the mathematics and science WASL until the Class of 2013. The details that follow were issued by OSPI on May 11, 2007.
Highlights from the bill:
No changes were made to the reading and writing graduation requirements. Beginning with the class of 2008, students need to pass the reading and writing WASL, or a state-approved alternative to the WASL*, or an assessment for students in special education.
If a student has met all other graduation requirements, including credits; passing the reading and writing WASL; creating a culminating project; and a post-high school plan, then:
Students in the graduating class of 2008 (defined as having begun ninth grade in the 2004-05 school year) can earn a diploma with a Certificate of Academic Achievement (CAA) or Certificate of Individual Achievement (CIA) by passing the mathematics WASL or an approved alternative;
-- OR--
Students in the class of 2008 can simply earn a diploma by earning 1.0 mathematics (or CTE equivalent) credit after the 11th grade AND continuing to take a state-approved math assessment until they graduate.
For the graduating class of 2009 through 2012 (defined as having begun ninth grade in the years of 2005-06 through 2008-09), students can earn a diploma with a Certificate of Academic Achievement (CAA) or Certificate of Individual Achievement (CIA) by passing the mathematics WASL or an approved alternative;
--OR--
They can earn simply a diploma by earning 2.0 mathematics (or CTE equivalent) credits after the 10th grade AND continuing to take a state-approved mathematics assessment until they graduate.
Other Information
- The science graduation requirement is postponed until 2013.
- Students now only need to take the WASL one time before using one of the state-approved alternatives.
- To be eligible for the WASL/Grade Cohort comparison alternative, students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher.
- SAT and ACT test scores in reading and writing may now be used for purposes of a state approved alternative assessment. Prior to the bill, only mathematics scores could be used. In addition, scores on several Advanced Placement tests may be used.
- Before signing the bill, however, the governor vetoed several sections, including one that called for replacing the mathematics and science WASL with end-of-course exams in algebra, geometry, and biology (although she directed the state Board of Education to study them more) and another for creating regional appeals boards for students who fail the WASL.
*State-approved alternatives to the WASL include the Collection of Evidence; meeting cut scores on national tests such SAT and ACT, etc.; WASL/Grade Cohort comparison.