Peninsula: School districts gearing up for state standards testing

Most school districts on the North Olympic Peninsula say they feel prepared and confident that their charges will do well on the upcoming Washington Assessment of Student Learning.

The statewide test measures the basic skills of reading, writing, listening and mathematics among fourth-, seventh- and 10th-graders.

This year the Washington Assessment of Student Learning, or WASL, test will be given April 22 through May 10.

“If we are teaching effectively, we are teaching the basic skills the WASL covers every day in classes,” said David Bingham, a principal intern, athletic director and high school social studies teacher in the Crescent School District, Joyce.

Bingham said teachers are doing minor preparatory instruction for the test, including reminding students of the skills they have learned.

“We are not treating the test as a high-pressure exercise,” he said. “We want kids to see the test as an opportunity to shine and not fear it.”

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The rest of this story — and sample WASL questions for you to test yourself — appear in today’s Peninsula Daily News. Click on “Subscribe” to get the PDN delivered to your home or office anywhere in the world.

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