Washington Assessment of Student Learning
The Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) measures student learning of skills and knowledge important to our children’s success in school and life. Educators use WASL results to improve teaching and to do a better job of meeting every student’s academic needs.
The WASL and Graduation
Students must show they have a certain level of skill in reading, writing and math to be eligible to graduate. Students have a variety of ways to meet the graduation requirement:
- Pass the WASL.
- Pass a state-approved alternative – available after one try at the WASL.
- Students who receive special education services can use one of the options available under the Washington Alternate Assessment System (WAAS).
- Students in the graduating classes of 2008-2012 ONLY may graduate without passing the math WASL or one of the alternatives, but they must continue to earn math credits and take the WASL once a year until graduation.
WASL History
The Education Reform Law passed by the Washington State Legislature in 1993 required the state to create common learning standards for grades K-10. The law also called for a testing system that measured student learning of those standards.
The WASL is at the heart of the state assessment system but not the only way we measure student learning in Washington.
The WASL is used to meet state and federal testing requirements.
