Giving students the tools to succeed

Common ground on education reform

As this year’s high school sophomores prepare for the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) – they are the first students required to pass the test to receive their diplomas – Senate Democrats also are hard at work. Our aim this legislative session is to make sure a comprehensive assessment system is in place to help students meet the state’s high academic standards.

A bill working its way through the Legislature now will help target resources to the students who most need them. Senate Bill 6618, sponsored by Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell, calls for a study of WASL data to identify the characteristics of students who struggle with all or part of the test. The Legislature is considering a proposal to allocate additional resources for summer school and tutoring, and we need to know how to use those dollars to help all students succeed. It will take more than anecdotal evidence to determine why some fare better on the test than others, and to make any needed adjustments to the system.

The study also will review proposals for augmenting the current assessment system, including various ideas brought forth by stakeholders this session and inventive ways other states are successfully preparing their students for life after high school.

SB 6618 is the culmination of many discussions with diverse education interests, and has garnered support from the Washington Education Association, the Washington State PTA, former Gov. Booth Gardner, special education advocates, tribal leaders and the business community.

Education reform is an ongoing process. We must continue to review our assessment system and must stay open to new ideas and information. After all, we all have a common goal: awarding students with a meaningful high school diploma that sets them on the path to becoming productive employees and good citizens.

Senate Democrats believe in high academic standards, because we believe our students can achieve anything when given the right tools. This session, we’re targeting our efforts to make sure success is within the reach of all students.