Math WASL Not Too Difficult, Study Says

Math WASL Not Too Difficult, Study Says

October 11, 2004

By Linda Shaw

The Seattle Times

A majority of Washington students may fail the state's standardized 10th-grade math test, but not because the math is particularly advanced, according to a new study to be released today. The report, done by Achieve, Inc., says that math on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) is less challenging than tests in six other states studied, mainly because the WASL has less algebra and geometry. On the other hand, the organization found the reading section of the WASL to be on a par with those of the other states, and said the writing test is the best it's seen. But Achieve judged the math to be the easiest of the three WASL subjects, and that's puzzling to education officials and Achieve itself. Only 44 percent of 10th-graders passed math this year, a lower rate than the other two subjects. And other studies have suggested the WASL is among the toughest math exams in the nation.