Lake Washington, Issaquah school districts release WASL scores

Administrators in the Issaquah and Lake Washington school districts released districtwide WASL scores Tuesday, with students in both districts making strides over last year's results.

Taken last spring, the Washington Assessment of Student Learning tests children in reading, writing, math and science. Beginning with the class of 2008, it was required for graduation.

Individual scores will be available in September.

In the Issaquah School District, fifth-graders scores increased in all all areas, science scores went up almost 15 percent from last year and high school scores were the highest level ever, coming close to 100 percent in reading and writing.

“This is important data because it helps our schools form plans to focus on achievement for all students,” Issaquah School District Assessment Director Sharon Manion said.

According to a press release, Issaquah administrators attribute the upward trend and growth in fifth grade, science, and high school scores to "consistent, coherent curriculum and instruction." Elementary teachers last year trained together to implement the "Everyday Math" curriculum in each classroom, the release stated.

“When our high school principals saw their science scores, it was an ‘aha’ moment,” Issaquah Chief Academic Officer Lynn Brogan said. “The high-quality learning they see in classrooms is finally reflected in the WASL scores."

“The longer students are in our system, the better they seem to do,” Brogan said. “We understand that not all students grow and hit the same learning targets at the same time, but we don’t give up on any students. Our teachers keep at it every day, and as we keep strengthening our consistent, coherent system—from kindergarten to senior year—it helps each student ultimately end up at graduation day with a solid grasp of core knowledge.”

Lake Washington seniors scored higher on reading, writing and mathematics, according to a LWSD release from Tuesday.

The largest increase in LWSD scores came in math.

“I’m very pleased to see our high school students perform so well on the SAT,” LWSD Superintendent Chip Kimball said. “These upward trends reflect a lot of work on the part of our teachers and our students. In this year’s SAT scores, our emphasis on math appears to be paying off.”

Scores for all districts in the state are available at reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/summary.aspx?year=2006-07 on the Web site for the Office of the Superintendent for Public Instruction.

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