WHS intervention courses prove successful

The results are in, and an intervention program designed to help kids pass the WASL (Washington Assessment of Student Learning) has proven successful. The intervention program offers courses designed to help students pass the state test and learn about alternative options.

Passing the Reading and Writing WASL is a graduation requirement for all public high school students in order to earn a diploma.  Students take the WASL in the tenth grade. Student Success Facilitator Fred Lenard works with juniors and seniors who have not passed the WASL to make sure they and their parents have information on their options. One option for kids is to take additional courses designed to help pass the assessment tests.

WHS Assistant Principal Kory Kalahar says the goal of the classes is to build and strengthen the skills of the students so they pass the test.  “We have three classes that have been added to help students who do not meet standard on the WASL find success,” says Kalahar.

Students who don’t pass any or all sections, about sixty students each year, are automatically placed in a class that includes curriculum to help provide the skills they need to pass. This year the reading/writing intervention curriculum is part of the Junior English courses, a year-long class that includes WASL skills integrated with the regular curriculum. Math intervention courses are also offered -- Segmented Math and Applied Math.

Lenard works with students throughout the year to make sure they are taking the right classes, and also to make sure students and their families know about WASL alternatives, such as SAT or ACT tests. Another alternative is called the Collection of Evidence (COE), where students, with the help of a teacher, compile a set of classroom work samples. The COE is a "safety net" in case students still do not pass the test. Students who take the intervention courses are encouraged to prepare a Collection of Evidence as part of the class. Data from the 2008/2009 school year showed that . . .

• 92% of the student who turned in a Reading COE passed the WASL itself in March and 100% passed with the addition of the COE.

• 65% of the students who turned in a Writing COE passed the WASL itself in March and 93% passed with the addition of the COE.

• 72% of the students who turned in a Math COE either passed the WASL or passed with the COE. Note: The Math section is not a graduation requirement, but students who fail this section must take two additional years of math classes.

This year begins the third year of the program. With 93% – 100% success rates in the Reading and Writing WASL, the intervention program is proving very successful in helping students meet all graduation requirements.

Instructors for the intervention courses: 

Mary Cozzalio Reading and Writing	Brian Herling Segmented Math	Kevin Sellers Segmented Math	Susan Sears Applied Math	Scott Feil Applied Math