9th-graders to get chance to put WASL behind them a year early

In spring, for the first time, the state's ninth-graders will be allowed to take the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) a year early.

Across the state, about 6,100 ninth-graders have signed up for the chance to get the high-stakes test out of the way or to see where they might need help.

By far, the largest group of early test takers is in the Everett School District, where about 1,000 ninth-graders will take at least one section of the WASL alongside 10th-graders in March and April.

Everett administrators concede it is a risk, especially in math, where ninth-graders may not have learned some of the concepts tested in the WASL. Leaders in other districts say they didn't encourage ninth-graders to take the test early out of concern that though the teens might pass, it could be with lower scores than if they waited a year.

WASL scores, which range from "did not meet standards" to "exceeded standards," are posted on high-school transcripts, although colleges currently don't consider them for admissions.

But Everett leaders say that if students can get the test out of the way, the wider the variety of courses they can take in their remaining high-school years. Teens who don't pass, meanwhile, will have more reason to concentrate on their studies.

"We think it's great," said Terry Edwards, the director of assessment for the Everett schools. "Some kids will be freed up to take more classes, and others will focus a lot more on what they need to pass."

In Seattle, a district with more than twice as many students as Everett, as of last week 315 ninth-graders had signed up to take the test in spring. Even fewer were registered at other nearby districts: about 180 freshmen in Edmonds, 100 in Bellevue, 49 in Northshore and 48 in Mukilteo.

Nathan Tjio, a ninth-grader at Jackson High School in the Everett district, said his honors English teacher had encouraged students to take the WASL early.

"She knows we're capable of it," said Tjio, who added that he likes to challenge himself. "The ones taking the test will do well. They'll be the more motivated people."

Districts across the state notified students and their families by mail last fall about the ninth-grade WASL option. Students or their parents had to sign up individually with the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The deadline for sign-ups was in January, although late applications may be granted if a school has enough test booklets. Ninth-graders who pass any section of the test won't have to take that section again.

Passing the math, reading and writing sections of the WASL became a graduation requirement beginning with this year's 10th-graders. A science section is to be added in two years.

The Edmonds School District told families the ninth-grade option is designed for those students "who already have the knowledge and skills" to meet high-school standards. Taking it in ninth grade, they explained, will count as one of the five state-paid opportunities to pass the test.

Nancy Katims, the director of assessment for Edmonds, said the district didn't push early exams, in part because many students aren't prepared for the math section until 10th grade.

Katims pointed to district statistics, which indicate only 45 percent of sophomores with two years of high-school-level math have met standards on the math WASL, compared with 87 percent who had taken high-school-level math for a third year, beginning in the eighth grade.

"The statistics are really striking," she said.

But she also noted that for some high-performing students, taking the test as ninth-graders could avoid a conflict between the 10th-grade WASL, which is administered over six days in March and April, and preparing for Advanced Placement exams, which are also given in spring.

In the Bellevue School District, Assessment Director Chris Lindberg said students receiving the highest score on any section of the WASL the first time they take the test will earn the designation of "WASL scholar," which will appear on their transcripts.

"A 10th-grader might score higher, even if he or she could pass as a ninth-grader," Lindberg said.

But Everett's Edwards said that designation carries no benefit for students at this time, while the early WASL results could help schools target instruction to those students who most need it.

Many ninth-graders will take only those WASL sections in which they feel most prepared. Only about 30 percent of the Everett district's ninth-graders who registered to take the reading and writing WASL also signed up for math.

Nicole Hair, a ninth-grader at Jackson, said she isn't worried about taking the test a year early. She has taken practice tests on her own and reviewed with her teachers what WASL scorers are looking for. She reasons that taking it as a ninth-grader will give her more time to improve her skills, if necessary.

"This way, if I fail, I'll have more chances to pass," she said.

Lynn Thompson: 425-745-7807 or lthompson@seattletimes.com