State schools superintendent calls for fewer tests
Dec 13, 2012, 6:05 PM | Updated: 6:08 pm
Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn is proposing the state cut back on the number of standardized tests for high school students. (AP image)
(AP image)
Washington schools Superintendent Randy Dorn says the state is getting carried away with the exams high school students are required to pass before they graduate.
Students in the class of 2012 were required to pass two exit exams. That goes up to five for the class of 2015: reading, writing, biology, algebra and geometry.
“And I believe that’s too much,” Dorn tells KIRO Radio.
Dorn says he’ll ask the Legislature next month to reduce that to three: a reading-writing test, biology and algebra.
Dorn says the tests take too much time away from the classroom and cost too much.
Exit exam costs about $30 each. And, alternative portfolios for failing students to demonstrate ability cost about $400.
“We need to dial it back to make sense out of our assessment test in high school,” Dorn says.
Dorn insists he’s not against higher standards, but says he’s simply for more fairness and common sense.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
