OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Board of Education will meet Aug. 5, 2015, at ESD 113 in Tumwater to establish minimum scores for graduation on several state assessments. The board will discuss an equal impact methodology in light of high parental refusal numbers among 11th-graders, before determining graduation scores for the Smarter Balanced Assessments, WA-AIM, and transitional End-of-Course assessments.

Board members approved a methodology in March to set a Smarter Balanced graduation score with equal impact based on comparison of student grades on different assessments. The Board will review a score-setting process to maintain student pass rates as the state transitions to a new system of academic standards and assessments. Additional materials will be available on the SBE website Friday, July 31.

About the scores, Board Chair Isabel Muñoz-Colón said, "Setting requirements for graduation is one of the most important tasks the State Board of Education performs for students in Washington. The Board believes graduation scores should reflect the high expectations we have for all students, as well as the support we must provide to help them achieve.”

A Level 3 score – identified as meeting proficiency in January 2015 – remains the goal for all students. A Level 3 score indicates "career and college-readiness” and that a student is likely prepared to succeed in post-secondary education.

August 5, 2015
ESD 113
Special board meeting – 1:00-2:30 pm

Watch this meeting stream live on TVW.

Smarter Balanced Assessments are the new state-required assessments for English Language Arts and Math. The Washington state Legislature required all students to take the ELA and Math assessments beginning in the 2014-2015 school year. The State Board of Education is required by law to set a score before the 2015-2016 school year.

Contact: Stefanie Randolph, SBE Communications Manager (360) 725-6501

About the State Board of Education: The State Board of Education provides advocacy and strategic oversight of public education. The board is comprised of 16 members: five are elected by school board directors, seven are appointed by the Governor, two serve as student representatives, and one serves as a private school representative. The Superintendent of Public Instruction is also a member.

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