Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL)

What is the WASL?

WASL stands for Washington Assessment of Student Learning. It is a series of tests given each spring that are designed to measure whether students have learned what is expected at different grade levels in reading, writing, math and science. Schools use the results to monitor student learning and improve teaching. The WASL is just one part of the state’s assessment system.

Where did the WASL come from?

The WASL has been given in Washington State schools since 1997 to make sure that students across the state are meeting state learning standards. In January 2002, the federal No Child Left Behind Act required every state to measure its students’ achievement of learning standards and to hold schools accountable for low performance. The WASL fulfills this federal requirement.

What is the WASL supposed to do?

The WASL is designed to help measure whether students have gained basic knowledge and skills required at each grade level. WASL scores are also used to measure how well educators are teaching state standards. In this way, the WASL is supposed to hold schools accountable for providing students with adequate instruction to make sure they have the opportunity to gain foundational knowledge and skills.

How are WASL results used?

  • High School Graduation: Students must pass reading and writing tests of the High School WASL to earn a high school diploma. (Students may meet the requirement using a state-approved alternative or a special education assessment.) Students in the graduating classes of 2008-2012 must also pass the math test of the High School or a state-approved alternative. Students who are unable to pass can still graduate by continuing to earn math credits and taking the WASL each year. The graduating class of 2013 must pass the WASL in math and science to graduate.
  • No Child Left Behind: WASL scores are used to measure how well educators are performing. By federal law, schools and school districts are required to meet specific learning goals called “adequate yearly progress” or “AYP.” In Washington State, AYP is set and measured by WASL scores. Schools with low WASL scores, failing to make AYP for two years in a row, are “in need of improvement.” When a school is “in need of improvement,” it faces specific consequences from the federal government. Is your school or school district making adequate yearly progress or is it in need of improvement?
  • Local Decisions: Some schools also use WASL results to determine entry into certain classes and programs. Ask your district how WASL results are used.

What happens if my child does not pass the WASL?

  • All school districts must make a “student learning plan” for every student, or group of students with similar academic needs, failing one or all of the content areas of the WASL. Student learning plans must be followed until the student meets standards on the WASL. Parents must be notified about the plan, preferably through a parent conference. Parents must be kept informed of student progress.
  • Elementary school students who do not pass the WASL can use the feedback to focus on the area that needs improvement. WASL retakes are not available for elementary school students.
  • High school students may be retested up to four times through 12th grade or in a high school completion program at a community college before age 21. Besides the spring testing schedule in April/March, retakes are also available in August. If you believe there was a scoring error on the High School WASL, you can view the test and file an appeal. Students need to take the High School WASL once before they are able to access any of the state-approved alternatives (also known as Certificate of Academic Achievement Options) to the test.

What help is available if my student does not pass the High School WASL?

The kind of help available for students struggling to pass the WASL varies from school district to school district. Your school or school district might offer some of these options:

  • Summer School (free transportation within school boundaries is provided)
  • Saturday Classes
  • Before or After-school Classes
  • Skill Seminars
  • Test Preparation Seminars
  • In-school and Out-of-School Tutoring

Contact your school or school district to learn more about extra help options. If your student is struggling to pass the WASL and you have not been informed about his or her student learning plan, contact the school to get information.

If my child does pass the High School WASL, what happens during the last two years of high school?

Passing the High School WASL is just one of the graduation requirements students must meet. Graduation requirements can vary from school to school, and school district to school district. All students must pass the state graduation requirements to earn a diploma. Those may include earning enough course credits, completing a Culminating Project, creating a plan for life after high school, and meeting any other school or school district graduation requirements.

It’s also important to remember that the High School WASL tests 10th-grade skills and knowledge. This foundation is important for every student to have, but students need to keep learning and taking challenging classes to be prepared for life after high school.

When do students take the WASL?

Grade Reading Writing Math Science
3 X   X  
4 X X X  
5 X   X X
6 X   X  
7 X X X  
8 X   X X
9 (optional)        
10 X* graduation requirement X* graduation requirement X* graduation requirement in 2013 X* graduation requirement 2013
11 (as needed)        
12 (as needed)        

What does the test look like?

The WASL includes multiple choice, short answer and essay questions. Students demonstrate, or show, their understanding by answering with written words, pictures, numbers and diagrams. Unlike most standardized tests, students are graded on whether they know the basic requirements, and not in comparison to other students’ performance. This is similar to the driving test. You pass the test based on your performance on certain skills and knowledge. Your performance is not compared to the performance of any other driver.

How can my student benefit from the WASL?

The WASL helps make sure students have the basic knowledge and skills they need to be successful students and become successful adults later in life. The WASL shows students’ academic strengths and weaknesses, and helps educators and parents know where students need improvement to learn what they need to in order to graduate.

Where can I find out how WASL scores in my school and school district rank?

School and school district WASL scores are published on the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s Web site. See how your school and school district’s WASL scores rank.

How can I make sure my child does well on the WASL?

  • Be sure your child attends school regularly and does all homework.
  • Ask your child’s teachers about how their curriculum meets the state learning standards.
  • Be sure you and the teacher both challenge your child to think, solve problems and communicate well.
  • Be consistent. Staying involved in your child’s education along the way is more effective than intensive last-minute preparation.

My student does not speak English. Is she required to take the WASL?

Yes, students still learning English must take the WASL at every grade level the test is required. If this is the students’ first year in a U.S. school, they are allowed to skip the reading and writing exams, but they are still required to take the WASL math test and annual tests in language proficiency.

If my student receives special education services does he to take the WASL?

WASL arrangements vary for students who receive special education services. Each student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team usually makes decisions about WASL testing according to the student’s needs and capabilities. To learn more, see:

Can I refuse to have my child take the WASL?

State and federal law requires that students are regularly tested. Refusing to have your child participate in testing means your child may miss out on having any learning issues identified sooner rather than later. Your child also may miss out on the academic help paid for by the state and federal government; this help is often attached to an individual student’s test scores. High school students who do not take and pass the High School WASL will not graduate.

Where can I get more information?

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Assessment
National Center for Education Statistics, Washington Report Card
U.S. Department of Education, No Child Left Behind