Proposed changes to high school assessments spark discussion in Olympia

Teachers, parents, principals and superintendents shared passionate testimonies on high school assessment bills during Tuesday's House Education Committee.

Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos’ House Bills 1412 and 1410 brought forth proposals to change requirements for high school math and science assessments. Amidst harsh budget realities and a continued strain on education funding, State Superintendent Randy Dorn requested the legislation to make sure the assessment system in Washington is “aligned and fair” for students.

House Bill 1412 allows students in the classes of 2013 and 2014 to pass one end-of-course (EOC) math exam instead of two in order to help transition to future assessment requirements. As for House Bill 1410, it postpones the science assessment graduation requirement until the class of 2017 to allow for more time and funding for implementing science requirements.

Rep. Christine Rolfes’ House Bill 1330 also sparked conversation around further adjustments to the assessment system. The proposal to eliminate the use of statewide assessments as a high school graduation requirement was brought forth by Rep. John McCoy’s House Bill 1463.