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Locke proposes WASL limits, catches education leaders off guard
10/28/02
In a speech Thursday, Locke caught state education leaders off guard when he proposed eliminating the WASL's listening test and canceling plans for new tests on social studies, arts and health and fitness. Locke wants the WASL test limited to math, reading, science and writing. "It came as a surprise to us that, No. 1, he said it in a speech and, No. 2, that he's planning legislation that will in essence gut future assessment areas," said Kim Schmanke, a spokeswoman for state Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson. Locke's proposal "says to kids that they can brush aside listening and social studies and arts and health and fitness. We don't want to send that message. We don't think that's right," Schmanke said. Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell, said she was surprised Locke announced his plan without consulting her or other education advocates. "I'm very disappointed," she said. "I don't know why he would come forward without bringing all the stakeholders together and having a full discussion about this. It will not happen in the Legislature without a lot of conversation and people thinking it through." McAuliffe said it's uncertain whether Locke's plan would pass through the Legislature. She didn't rule out supporting a version of his proposal. The WASL is the assessment part of the state's 1993 Education Reform Act, passed to establish "world class" academic standards for Washington students. The WASL, which tests whether students in fourth, seventh and 10th grades meet the standards, has swirled in controversy since its inception. Students have boycotted it and parents and teachers have organized against it. By continuing to expand the WASL, Locke said, "We currently risk developing a state assessment system that is too complex and too time-consuming." Kirsten Kendrick, the governor's spokeswoman, said the governor — long a champion of education reform — wants to align the WASL with President Bush's education legislation, "No Child Left Behind." NCLB requires schools to test reading and math every year in grades three through eight and to test students in science at least once in elementary, middle and high school. "Let us focus on ensuring our children are learning the basics at each grade level and making our schools accountable," Locke said. Kendrick said Locke and Bergeson have talked about limits on the WASL, but "basically they agreed to disagree." Schmanke called No Child Left Beind the "bare bones approach of how schools need to be accountable." Federal officials don't expect state assessments to be limited to NCLB standards, she added. Linda Jenkins, a Bremerton assistant superintendent, said she was surprised by Locke's proposal, but not against it. "As long as he's staying the course of school reform and keeping high standards-based assessments, it's in line with what we're trying to do here in Bremerton," she said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Locke's WASL proposals - Eliminating the "listening" test on the WASL. - Limiting the WASL's testing areas to math, reading, writing and science. - Canceling plans to implement tests on social studies, arts and
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