Students who failed WASL test have options

• WASL test highlights by district

• Questions and answers about the WASL test

THE NEWS TRIBUNE

Published: 08/27/08 1:00 am | Updated: 08/27/08 4:30 am

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Teens who didn’t pass the WASL still have time to earn that diploma. Here are some options:

DO-OVERS

Students can take the high school WASL up to five times at state expense. The next retakes are in March and April.

APPEALING THE SCORE

Parents must request their child’s test booklet within 30 days of receiving their child’s test score report, review the booklet, then file an appeal within 30 days of seeing the booklet. Only high school WASL tests required for graduation can be appealed.

KNOW YOUR GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

• WASL graduation requirements for 12th-graders in the Class of 2009: pass reading, math and writing on high school WASL or state-approved alternative.

Those who don’t pass the math WASL or an approved alternative must earn two credits (typically four half-semester courses) after the 10th grade in math or in a career-technical course that includes math.

Passing the reading, writing and math WASL or an approved alternative yields a Certificate of Academic Achievement designation on school transcripts.

• Additional graduation requirements: Earn course credits required by the state and local district; complete a plan for high school and beyond; complete a culminating project.

APPROVED ALTERNATIVES TO PASSING READING, WRITING OR MATH WASL

• Assemble class work samples based on WASL-like assignments into a “collection of evidence,” or …

• Earn certain scores on SAT or ACT college entrance or Advanced Placement exams, or …

• 12th-graders with an overall grade-point average of 3.2 or higher who failed the WASL can compare their grades to those of students who took the same classes and passed the WASL.

Debby Abe, The News Tribune

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