What it Takes to Graduate

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What it Takes to Graduate
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Statewide Graduation Requirements

• Culminating Project
• High School Beyond Plan
• School and District Credits
• Meet state reading, writing and math learning
  standards
• (OR, for math only, earn math credits and test
  annually until graduation)
• NOTE These requirements are in addition to any
  local school or school district graduation
  requirements.

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Culminating Project

• Students use experience and knowledge to solve
  problems
• Students explore a topic that interests them
• Students apply learning in a real world way

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High School Beyond Plan

• Students write down
• What they need to do to graduate
• What they want to do after graduation and how to
  make it happen

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Credits
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State Testing Graduation Requirements

• Reading, Writing Class of 2008
• Math
• Classes of 2008-2012
• Must pass High School WASL or state-approved
  alternative or option for students in special
  education OR keep earning math credits until
  graduation and test annually
• Certificate of Academic Achievement/Certificate
  of Individual Achievement an expectation but
  not a requirement for graduation
• Classes of 2013 and Beyond
• Must pass High School WASL or state-approved
  alternative or option for students in special
  education
• Certificate of Academic Achievement/Certificate
  of Individual Achievement required for graduation
• Science Class of 2013

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The Certificates Still Exist

• All students in the classes of 2008-2012 should
  strive for a certificate.
• A certificate is in addition to the high school
  diploma.
• Certificate of Academic Achievement
• Earned by passing the High School WASL or the
  Certificate of Academic Achievement Options
• Certificate of Individual Achievement
• Earned by passing the High School WASL at Level
  2 taking the WASL at a grade level that best
  matches the students abilities (for 11th- and
  12th-grade students only) completing a
  Portfolio or using a Locally Determined
  Assessment System

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Meeting the State Testing Requirement

• Options Available to All Students
• Take the High School WASL with or without
  accommodations.
• Use state-approved alternatives (also known as
  Certificate of Academic Achievement Options)
• Math only (and only for classes of 2008-2012)
  Continue to earn math credits until graduation
  and test annually
• Special Circumstances Appeal/Transfer Waiver
• Options Available Only to Students in Special
  Education
• Take the High School WASL and pass at Level 2
  (WASL-Basic)
• Take the WASL at a grade level that best matches
  abilities.
• (For 11th- and 12th-grade students only)
• Use the Portfolio
• Locally Determined Assessment System

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State Testing Requirements Met, Now What?

• Complete state and district requirements
• Take challenging coursework
• Know the requirements of the college or program
  your child wants to attend

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State Testing Requirements Not Met

• Student Learning Plans
• Extra help during summer and school year
• 5 chances to take WASL
• Math only
• Continue to earn math credits until graduation
  and test annually
• Segmented Math Course/Tests
• State-approved alternatives

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Certificate of Academic Achievement (CAA) Options

• CAA Options
• Collection of Evidence
• PSAT, SAT, ACT, Advanced Placement
• WASL/Grades Comparison
• Eligibility
• Take the WASL once
• For COE and WASL/Grades Comparison, students also
  must attend school and get academic help, per
  their Student Learning Plan
• For WASL/Grades Comparison, students must be in
  12th grade and have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or
  higher
• The law says
• CAA Options must be as challenging as the WASL
• Schools/districts must tell students of the CAA
  Options annually

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Test Booklet Review and Score Appeal

• Review
• Parents/Guardians ONLY
• Advocate allowed
• www.k12.wa.us/assessment/StudentRecordRequest.aspx
  
• Score Appeals
• High school assessments only
• Student did not meet standard
• Parent/guardian must view the assessment and
  identify scoring error
• Fixing the problem would result in the student
  passing
• Appeal must be filed within 30 days of reviewing
  booklet
• www.k12.wa.us/assessment/appeals.aspx

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Waivers and Appeals

• Who is eligible for a waiver?
• Students from out of state or out of country who
  transfer to a WA public high school during their
  junior or senior year
• Guidelines and application available at
  www.k12.wa.us/assessment/appeals.aspx
• Who is eligible for an appeal?
• Seniors who have not passed the High School WASL
  or another assessment because of a special,
  unavoidable circumstance
• When will appeals be heard this year?
• Mid-May

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Options for Students Who Do Not Graduate With
Their Class

• Remain in High School
• Enroll in a High School Completion Program at a
  community or technical college
• Begin college-level courses at a community or
  technical college
• Pursue a GED

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Questions?