Citizens United for Responsible Education

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WASL Opt Out
Parents may opt their child(ren) out of the WASL, but the consequences differ between students in grades three through eight, and students in the tenth grade. The student will be given a score of zero, but in the lower grades this will not count against the child, only against the school. School staff, wanting to avoid low scores, will try to convince parents not to opt out their child. For more information about the WASL and it's invalidity and unreliability, see the CURE brochure, "Why the WASL is so Awful" on this website. Also see the report from the American Psychological Association explaining that "giving a test only once isn't enough to get a clear picture of someone's mental functioning."

Students who opt out of the tenth grade WASL, now face negative consequences. In 2004, the Washington State legislature made passing the tenth grade WASL a graduation requirement beginning with the class of 2008. (This was a state decision, not a requirement of the federal "No Child Left Behind" law.) In 2007, the legislation made further changes regarding math and science. The OSPI website now states:

"For the graduating classes of 2008-2012, students must pass the reading and writing WASL, a state-approved alternative to the WASL or an assessment for students in special education. Students can meet the state's math requirement by passing the math WASL, a state-approved alternative or an assessment for students in special education, OR, they can continue to earn math credits until they graduate. Students who pass the reading, writing and math assessments earn a Certificate of Academic Achievement or Certificate of Individual Achievement and a high school diploma. Students who fulfill the math requirement by earning math credits do not receive a certificate but do earn a diploma."

For students who know they will be moving out of state before graduation, or for students who will transfer to a private school, or who withdraw from public school in order to homeschool, the tenth grade WASL will not hold as much importance. For those students, the lack of a Washington State public school diploma will not be a concern. Private school and homeschool students are exempt from the WASL. (See the homeschool section of this website).

Opting Out of Other Services/Activities