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Gregoire, Dorn at odds over delay in WASL math and science

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by Associated Press

Posted on November 19, 2009 at 2:49 PM

Updated Thursday, Nov 19 at 6:23 PM

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SEATTLE -  Gov. Chris Gregoire says she opposes state schools chief Randy Dorn's proposal to delay the requirement for students to pass state math and science tests to graduate.

Dorn announced on Thursday a proposal to delay the math requirement until 2015 and science until 2017.

The governor says the state's economy depends on Washington students leaving high school well trained in math and science. Gregoire says the superintendent is concerned about the state's graduation rate but she is concerned about preparing kids for life.

Dorn also wants to establish a "two-tier" bar for passing state math tests. If students fall short of passing at a "proficient" level, they could still graduate if they score at a "basic" level and pass four years of math classes.
 

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jeepfreak said on November 19, 2009 at 4:16 PM

The King County Governor needs to just shut up for once. Prepare for what jobs! Do you want fries with that. To get a decent job youths will havee to go to another state. The smart jobs are leaving this state.

farmer01 said on November 19, 2009 at 4:51 PM

What Jobs is right

ron55 said on November 19, 2009 at 5:07 PM

Ya know Gov. Chrissie needs to tend to the State's needs and let Dorn who was elected to the position by the voters and not her do his thing. The Gov hasn't done anything to bring new business to the state, therefore she should tend to that. If she wants to do something for education, let her give (all) school employees a decent wage instead of the little that they get.

pnwfemale said on November 19, 2009 at 6:03 PM

The WASL is an unfair test. I would like to see it eliminated as an assessment tool.

dcady203 said on November 19, 2009 at 7:36 PM

Hey, Gov, let's really worry about this crapola, put this at the top of your list of concerns, okay? Good grief. A big thank you goes out to the western Wa. liberals that re-elected this moron. She is "concerned" about the WASL, or the revised form thereof, while we are running neck in neck with Californicate as the most financially mismanaged state in the lower 48. Gag me with a spoon.

factoid said on November 19, 2009 at 7:45 PM

Governor Gregoire does not agree with an official that was elected by the people for this very reason, not really a surprise is it? I wonder if the Governor will ever figure out that at least half of the folks that live in Washington are not idiots. I voted for Mr. Dorn believing he could start to fix the schools that have been taken over by Unions, Feds and political correctness run afoul. Good luck Mr. Dorn, stand your ground, for the kids sake.

ebonyqn said on November 20, 2009 at 1:40 AM

I wouldn't mind the WASL being used as an assessment tool ONLY!! But to tell a child that they aren't going to graduate because they can't get a certain score on an assessment test is absolutely ridiculous. I had a nephew who was a 4.0 student taking all Advanced classes that missed the math WASL by 2 points. Would they really tell him that he isn't going to get his diploma?? I think we are looking at a high drop out rate in the future!! Oh yea, have the ALL teachers/educators taken and PASSED the required tests that our students/children have to take and PASS. I am a firm believer that if the teachers can't pass these tests then how is it that they are qualified to TEACH our kids to PASS this test???

gritz said on November 20, 2009 at 9:15 AM

The Governor wants it both ways.She wants a state equivalency test so she can continue to receive Govt funds, yet at the same time she cutting the education budget so teachers don't have the tools to effectively do their jobs, in order to reach those standards. In essence, she wants the teachers to work harder, longer and in worst conditions for less. Mind you, I am not a big fan of educational system either. Compared to teachers I had in the 70 and 80's these teachers work less, have smaller class sizes and have more technological benefits then teachers decades before. Computers, copying machines, TV , everything is digitalized-sp and automated.

itsonlywords said on November 22, 2009 at 3:13 PM

I thought Dorn was going to eliminate the WASL. That's the main reason I voted for him. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/otherlocalelectionstories/2008290930_ospi21m.html