Academic Achievement
Washington State has determined Essential Academic Learning Requirements and Grade Level Expectations for K-10th grade children in public schools. Progress toward meeting these goals is measured by the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL). High school students are required to meet the WASL standards in order to graduate. The career outlook, and more broadly, the quality of life for a person who does not graduate from high school may be limited. High school dropouts earn significantly less income on average than those who finish high school and go on to at least some college.
• In 11 out of 18 King County school districts the percent of students who passed all four subject areas of the WASL equaled or exceeded the statewide percent. (figure 1)
• Over the past three years, the percent of fourth grade students in King County who exceeded the WASL standards has been virtually unchanged. In 2007, 80% of students met the reading standard. 67%
and 65% passed the writing and math WASL, respectively. Fewer than half (45%) met the standard for the science WASL.• The federal No Child Left Behind Act requires annual testing of students in grades 3-8 to measure their progress in reading and math. Washington students are tested using the WASL.
• King County school districts showed a wide disparity in the percent of 10th grade students who met WASL standards as seen in the table to the right. (figure 3)
• Beginning in 2008, public high school students in Washington State must pass the reading, and writing portions of the high school WASL or an approved alternative. In 2013, meeting the math and science WASL standards will become additional graduation requirements.
• White and Asian/PI students students were more likely to pass the high school WASL than students of other racial/ethnic groups. (figure 2)
• Limited English proficient and low income students were least likely to meet the WASL standards and, therefore, are at greater risk of not receiving a high school diploma.
• The “on time” graduation rate is based on a cohort of students, in this case, the classes of 2002, 2004, and 2006. (figure 4) Students are followed over time to determine the percent who graduate in four years, accounting for transfers in and out, and for deaths.
• In 2006, graduation rates improved in 12 out of 19 districts.
Data Source, Definitions, and Limitations
Data are from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Washington State Report Card. Downloadable data files can be found at http://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/DataDownload.aspx. Limited English refers to bilingual or English language learners. Low income is defined as students eligible for free or reduced price meals.
