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Contact:           Jocelyn McCabe, Director of Communications
                        Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP)
                        360.357.7951 or 360.951.5269 (mobile)
                        jocelyn@awsp.org

Principals: 10th-Grade WASL Scores Cause for Celebration, Introspection
Math scores should be a catalyst for discussion about curriculum, teaching 

OLYMPIA–June 8, 2006—Preliminary math scores on the 10th-grade WASL should serve as a catalyst for a statewide conversation about the teaching and learning of math in Washington’s schools according to the state principals’ association. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) announced the scores this morning during a press conference in Renton.

“Although we have tremendous cause for celebration in reading and writing, our 10th-grade math scores suggest the need for continued, in-depth conversations about the state of math instruction, not just in high school but across the all grades,” said Gary Kipp, executive director of the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP). ”Our focus for the last several years has been on literacy, which is reflected in the numbers released today by OSPI. We now need to generate the same level of introspection and energy around mathematics.

“Our members believe in the standards measured by this assessment, and that students should—and can—obtain these skills by graduation. We would do our students a great disservice to send them into a global marketplace without this knowledge. Students still have four retake opportunities and can access alternative options for demonstrating their skills after the second attempt.

“Some have suggested that because of these scores, we should drop the WASL as a graduation requirement,” he added, “but eliminating the requirement will not protect students from the consequences of not having the skills and knowledge measured by this test.”

While additional assistance will be provided to schools and students this summer for summer school and other instructional support, these scores suggest more long term strategies are also necessary to resolve this issue.

“It’s clear that for some students, summer school may be sufficient to get these kids to standard. But for many others, we’ll need to take a more long-term instructional approach, and that must include an examination of everything from teacher preparation programs to curriculum reviews and alignment with state standards,” said Kipp.

“We know principals will be working hard in the coming days and weeks, along with their staff, to make sure students have a clear sense of what they need to do from now until graduation. But this is not just a problem to be solved in math classes. It is a challenge for schools and communities alike. We believe students can achieve these standards and principals and teachers across this state are dedicated to getting them there.”

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About the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP)
The Association of Washington School Principals is a professional association serving principals, assistant principals and principals in training. Formed in 1972, the Association now includes more than 3,500 members from public and private elementary, middle and high schools statewide. It is governed by a board of practicing principals composed of members drawn from three grade-specific boards representing the elementary, middle and high school levels. The mission of AWSP is to support principals and assistant principals and the principalship in the education of all students. For more information on the Association, visit the AWSP Web site at www.awsp.org.