So, what does this have to do with you now? Employers are starting to ask for WASL scores as part of their hiring process. Washington state colleges and universities are thinking about making it part of their entrance and scholarship requirements. Your school and family can use the information to make sure you’re getting the skills you’ll need to do well in high school and after you graduate.

You may not think the WASL matters NOW, but it does. Learn more about the WASL and why you should care about it.

Click here to see the current trends for the WASL at Lynnwood High School.

What is the 10th grade WASL?

It is a statewide assessment given every spring in reading, writing, math and listening. The science WASL is being launched this year in grades 8 and 10. The WASL measures how well all students are learning the state’s academic standards - called the Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs). The EALRs reflect what Washington educators, parents, business people and community leaders all say students must know and be able to do in order to be successful in the real world.

What’s on the test?

The WASL is a combination of multiple choice, short-and long-answer and essay questions. You don’t need to know trigonometry or calculus for this test. The WASL tests the basic information - reading, writing and algebra - all students should know by the spring of 10th grade.

How is the WASL different than other standardized tests?

The WASL’s multiple choice questions require you to think, not guess. Many WASL questions also ask you to choose the right answer and explain how you got that answer. And unlike other standardized tests, which measure students against other students, your WASL score tells how well you - and only you - are learning the state’s academic standards.

Why should I take the WASL seriously?

Schools take the WASL results very seriously. If you skip or boycott the test, your score still counts - as a zero. WASL results help determine what students know and don’t know and can impact the courses schools offer. For example, if the 10th graders in your school don’t do well on the WASL, your school might consider cutting courses like weight training, photography or other electives to make room for more English and math.

What are the incentives for me to do well?

The presidents of Washington’s public four-year colleges and universities are considering using the WASL as a factor in college admissions, merit scholarships and admission to Running Start. This means that sometime soon your WASL score could function like an ACT or SAT score - something colleges and universities look very closely at. Some schools and districts also offer incentives for those who pass, such as English or math credits, off-campus lunch privileges or a party.

I don’t plan to go to college - so why does the WASL matter?

College-bound students aren’t the only ones who need to do well in high school. The WASL helps make sure ALL students, regardless of who you are, where you live or what you want to be, can read, write and do basic math. More than 140 Washington businesses also participate in the statewide “Ask for Transcripts” campaign. These businesses ask to see students’ transcripts as part of the hiring process. Eventually WASL scores will go on transcript, so doing well on the WASL might help you get a good first job.

How is the WASL scored?

Your score on the WASL will place you into one of four levels: exceeds standard (Level 4), meets standard (Level 3), below standard (Level 2) and well-below standard (Level 1). The goal is to get to Level 3 or 4 - get to standard or above - each section of the WASL.

What happens if I don’t meet standard?

If you tried your best on the test and didn’t meet standard, it means you’re missing some key skills and information. You’ll likely need these skills for classes you’ll take during your last two years of high school and for whatever you choose to do after graduation. When you get your scores in September, you, and your teacher (s) should talk about what kind of classes or academic help you need to get you what you’re missing.

In 2008, students must meet standard on the 10th grade WASL and earn a Certificate of Mastery for graduation, students will have several opportunities during their junior and senior years to retake the sections of the test they did not pass. In addition to retakes, students should receive academic help at school. There are also plans for alternate measure for a very small group of students who, after repeated tries, are unable to demonstrate their skills on the WASL.

How much time do I have to take the test?

The WASL is not timed, so make sure you get as much time as you need. Students typically spend a couple hours each day over the course of a week completing all sections of the WASL.

Do students in other states take tests like the WASL?

Yes. Right now 24 states, including Washington, have or are planning to add a graduation requirement tied to a test like the WASL.

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