Frequently Asked Questions about the WASL (continued)

Every family of a student who took the WASL will receive a WASL Score Report. Each school/district decides how families will receive this report (e.g. mail or parent/teacher conference). Check with your school or district to find out how you will receive your student’s results.

Note: Students in grades 10, 11 and 12 who take the spring WASL will get two score reports: By early June, individual student scores for reading, writing and math will be shared with families. A second report will be issued in September that includes the results from the science WASL and a look at how the student’s school and school district performed as well as show overall state scores. Students who took the High School WASL in grade nine will only get one score report in September.

View the State’s Report Card for detailed WASL results.

14. What happens if a parent refuses to have his/her child take the WASL?

A student who doesn’t take the WASL may miss out on having any learning issues identified sooner rather than later. These students also may miss out on the academic help paid for by the state and federal government; this help is often attached to an individual students test scores. High school students who do not take and pass the High School WASL will not graduate.

15. Can a student’s scored booklet be reviewed?

Parents/Guardians may request to review their child’s test booklet. See state guidelines and forms.

16. Can a parent/guardian appeal a student’s score after looking at the test booklet?

Parents/guardians may only appeal a score on a high school assessment that is required for graduation: WASL, WAAS-DAW, WAAS-Portfolio or Collection of Evidence. A score appeal results in OSPI review of particular scoring errors, such as errors on open-ended items, incorrect score calculations, mistakes affecting erasures, test labeling, and lightly marked bubbles on multiple choice items. Read the state guidelines. An appeal form will be provided when the parent/guardian reviews the test.

17. How are test results used?

• Improvements in teaching and learning
  Parents, students, and educators use the results to:
  - follow student progress
  - identify strengths, weaknesses and gaps in curriculum and instruction
  - fine tune curriculum alignment with the statewide standards
  - identify students who may need additional help
  Note: Your child's WASL results should not be the first time you know if your child is mastering the state’s learning standards. In fact, many teachers now grade daily student work using the WASL's 1-4 scoring scale.
• School and district accountability
  Under No Child Left Behind, the state reports on the Annual Yearly Progress of students in schools and districts based on WASL results.
• Student accountability
  Students are required to pass the High School WASL in Reading, Writing and Mathematics as one requirement for a high school diploma. Students are given multiple opportunities, if necessary, to pass the tests. Alternatives also are available for students who have tried the exam at least twice. Students also must meet local requirements for high school graduation (for example, completion of required coursework).
  ***Check with your school or district to find out if the WASL is used for other purposes, such as a requirement into advanced programs.***

18. Is a listing of school and/or district WASL scores available?

Yes. The state has an extensive Web site for the public to view all elements of the WASL data. View the top

19. What does it take for a student to do well on the WASL?

Students do well on the WASL when they come to class regularly and do their schoolwork. It’s also important for educators to use a curriculum that emphasizes the state academic standards and regularly ask students to think, communicate and solve problems. "Drill-and-kill exercises" and fill-in-the-blank "test prep" a few weeks before taking the test aren’t effective.

20. How do students receiving special education services or students with a Section 504 Plan participate in the WASL tests?

A student's IEP Team or Section 504 Team must determine annually how a student with disabilities will participate in WASL in each subject scheduled for assessment. This information must be documented in the student's IEP and should be documented in the student's 504 Plan. The team may determine that the student can take their grade-level test with or without accommodations or may be eligible to participate in the Washington Alternate Assessment System. Guidelines to assist IEP Teams and 504 teams in making decisions regarding how each student will participate in WASL tests are available in the Guidelines for Participation and Testing Accommodations for Special Populations in State Assessment Programs. Parents should read "The WASL, WAAS and Students Receiving Special Education Services," a list of frequently asked questions (and answers) about how students with disabilities can participate in state testing.