The Washington State Board of Education met today to establish minimum scores for graduation on several state assessments. The Washington Legislature directed the Board to set a score on the state’s new Smarter Balanced Assessments, transition Math EOC, and WA-AIM before the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year. The Board has determined scores to transition Washington’s education system closer to one that prepares all students for college, career, and life.

About the new standards, Board Chair Isabel Muñoz-Colón said, “We appreciate the input and feedback to the Board at meetings and community forums. It’s clear the 10th graders are taking the ELA assessment seriously – and they’re doing well.” 71 percent of the 65,000 10th graders who took the ELA SBAC achieved a Level 3 or higher. 11th graders didn’t do as well. Of the 38,000 who took the assessment, only 51 percent scored career and college ready.

About the 11th grade scores, Muñoz-Colón said, “We don’t know why the 11th graders’ results are so low. We do know that for 10th graders, Smarter Balanced English Language Arts results are one of several determining factors for high school graduation. 11th graders can use other test results to meet graduation requirements instead of the Smarter Balanced Scores.”

The State Board of Education set the scores at Level 2.6, to have an equal effect on graduation as the state transitions to the new assessments. A Level 3 score – meaning meeting proficiency – 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.

“The Board has a duty to Washington’s students to set standards for a meaningful high school diploma. If all students are to graduate prepared for career, college, and life, our education system must provide the resources and supports to help them achieve.” Muñoz-Colón said. The Board will discuss when to set a Level 3 as a graduation requirement at its next meeting.

The Board also voted to review minimum score on the math Smarter Balanced Assessments before the beginning of the 2016-2017 school year.

The State Board of Education recommends several policy reforms to help all students achieve a Level 3: access to high-quality early childhood education, fully funded professional learning for educators, access to expanded learning opportunities, as well as supports and services that prepare for postsecondary opportunities.