SEQUIM — A Sequim High School sophomore is refusing to take the Washington Assessment of Student Learning.
Jesse Swingle will not take the statewide WASL test because he says it is lowering the quality of education.
On Wednesday, school district officials waived the test for Swingle after receiving a note from his parents excusing him from the exam.
Taking the test isn’t a graduation requirement until the class of 2008, but Sequim High School Principal Brian Pendleton said that fact hasn’t been widely circulated.
That’s because the district wants as many students to take the test as possible.
Testing numbers could affect district funding if a large percentage of students refused to take the WASL, he said.
District policy says students younger than 18 can be excluded from the testing with written permission from their parents — students older than 18 can make their own decision.
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