Statement from Governor Gregoire on WASL Scores

For Immediate Release: September 8, 2006

�I first want to congratulate the nearly 36,000 high school juniors who met all three WASL requirements for graduation. Many more students are very close and, overall, scores show continued improvement in system efforts to prepare them. It is clear that the efforts of students, parents and educators are making a difference.

�I believe in our Washington high school students and they are proving to us that, when given opportunity and tools, they can succeed.

�Mathematics continues to be an area of concern and was the subject of a lot of discussion in the Washington Learns committee meetings. That is why I support the Washington Learns math and science initiative, which was sent out for public comment this week.

�With this new data and the math and science initiative comes a new opportunity to determine the next steps to support teachers and students.�

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