Washington state Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn unveiled proposals Thursday to impose new delays on long-postponed math and science testing requirements for high school graduation. Although some education advocates disagree strongly, Dorn insisted that a delay would be part of advancing toward higher academic standards and student performance.
Dorn laid out his proposals in a speech at the annual conference of the Washington State School Directors Association, an organization representing members of local school boards across the state.
Dorn said that his plan will be good for students. In remarks released before the speech, Dorn said, “This is the best way to give students the education they deserve. We must maintain our high standards, but we have a rare chance to set the bar at the right level as we implement new learning standards in math and science and move to end-of-course exams.”
In briefing sessions for education groups, Dorn’s office had said he would call for an indefinite delay on the science testing requirement. He now talks about a four-year delay, until 2017. But there’s a catch: Background papers given to the media by his office show he also wants a 2013 evaluation of “whether students have had sufficient opportunity to learn the (science) standards and whether the end-of-course assessments should be required to graduate beginning with the class of 2017.”
Dorn wants a two-year delay in math test requirements, so they wouldn't take effect until the class of 2015. He said the state has a "big problem" with plans for imposing the requirement in 2013, in part because fewer than half of 10th grade students statewide are now meeting standards on math tests. He argued that his proposals are fairer to students and represent better leadership than waiting until shortly before the 2013 graduating class students' senior years to deal with the prospect of denying diplomas to huge numbers of them. He also suggested that the state won't have the resources to make quick improvements in instruction.
Dorn said some legislative leaders understand his point, but he allowed that Gov. Chris Gregoire has "concerns." She will speak to the group on Friday, when she is expected to deliver what could be a sharp message. She let it be known Thursday that she will oppose any delays by the Legislature.
After the PostGlobe broke the story of Dorn's plans last Friday, the governor was said to be angry about the idea. The talk among educators was that Dorn had hoped to line up strong legislative support before he broached word of his proposals with Gregoire. Dorn is independently elected by voters and doesn't report to the governor.
State School Board President Mary Jean Ryan took serious difference with Dorn. She said, "Delay is a distraction." Dorn, she said, is right about the state having a big problem with math results, but "we delayed (math requirements) three years ago and the math achievement scores have gone down." She said that Dorn was not offering any strategy to make needed improvements. The state board, Ryan said, "will help in any way that seriously addresses the question of how are going to get much higher math and science achievement levels."
Ryan noted that the state is trying to win a share of increased federal help for education, with Washington having been viewed as having a shot at money for science, technology, mathematics and science programs. She said the Obama administration wants to help states that are pushing the envelope toward higher achievements, but Dorn's proposal would appear to move the state in the opposite direction.
A Moses Lake School Board member, Lew Mason, said, "I think one of the reasons the scores are so low is that we keep delaying." Mason said students concentrate on reading and writing, where they know they face test requirements, but they realize they won't be held accountable on math and science.
Dorn received modest applause at the end of speech. He was interrupted once with scattered applause. He paused and told the audience, "I got one applause. Kind of half-hearted, but that is OK." As he pushed the ideas in the Legislature, he is likely to get storng support from teachers' Washington Education Association and some Democratic leaders. Some school board members will also support delays.
Ron Dinius, a Washougal School Board member, said he agreed with Dorn. Schools "don't have time" to bring students up to the higher achievements under the current plans for 2013 passing of the tests.
