Gov. Gregoire applauds graduating class of 2008

For Immediate Release: June 3, 2008

More high school seniors are meeting the state�s tough requirements for graduation

OLYMPIA � The most recent Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) test scores are proof of what students have said to adults: Give us good learning opportunities, make them relevant, believe in us and support us. The result: Students are meeting higher expectations.

While graduation statistics for the class of 2008 won�t be known until later this year, more than 91 percent of high school seniors have met the state�s reading and writing standards, either by passing the WASL or through other testing alternatives. That�s up from 86 percent last year.

Gov. Chris Gregoire credits a transformation of the K-12 education system, efforts to reduce class size, as well as more one-on-one time between teachers and students, for the rise in standardized test scores.

�Our students have done what many skeptics said couldn�t be done,� the governor said. �We�ve raised our expectations of students, we�ve seen them step up to the challenge of meeting them, and now more Washington high school seniors are ready for the next step in life.�

Although students don�t yet have to meet math standards for graduation, math scores are up as well. Nearly two-thirds of high school seniors met the state�s math standards, up from more than 50 percent last year.

Educators already have plans to build on this success, putting continued focus on personalized support to keep students on track for graduation. Graduation rates appear to be staying steady if not dropping, but will be examined closely when more data from the class of 2008 is available. For the small percentage of students who won�t meet requirements to graduate on time, the governor pledges to continue to support their efforts to earn their diploma as soon as possible. Focus will continue on helping students learning English, who may need more time to master key reading and writing skills.

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