Changes coming for the WASL

In today's Seattle Times there is a story about the Legislature making changes in the WASL. The House of Representatives passed a bill that would replace the math and science sections of the WASL with end of course exams in algebra,geometry, and biology, as long as an independent 3rd party agrees those exams would be superior to the WASL. The Senate also passed a bill dealing with the WASL. The Senate bill calls for a five year delay in the year that students must pass the WASL to graduate- from 2008 to 2013. Students who fail, however, will be able to take additional math courses to earn their diplomas. Passing the science WASL will not become a graduation requirement until 2013.

Both bills will go to conference committee where members of the House and Senate will hammer out the details to come up with a final piece of legislation.