SB 5477 Offers a Second Option to "Forced Dropout"
On Friday, February 8, 2013, Senator Roach introduced SB 5477 to the state senate to provide an option for the 16,000 students in Washington State that have met all graduation requirements, have passed 2 out of 3 state assessments to receive their high school diploma. If SB 5477 fails, it puts thousands at risk of being denied their high school diploma if they are not able to pass the state exam in algebra or geometry.For those students who do not pass the state math exam or COE, they will be forced by the state into dropout status and will be denied their high school diploma.
I was very proud that Walla Walla Public Schools was represented by our superintendent and a school board member to testify in favor of SB5477. Walla Walla Public Schools is known throughout the state for our rigorous academic curriculum and high expectations for students to be challenged to achieve and to be successful. OSPI and the State Board of Education would be right with us……except Walla Walla Public Schools takes it further, they recognize that not all students learn the same and need differential instruction to meet them where they are at, as well as monitor student progress and growth.
There is strong push back from the State Board of Education. They testified that offering an option is lowering state standards and will encourage our high school students to take the easy way out. Where is the data to show that kids who don’t pass state math exam are lazy and not working hard? These students have gone the distance, have stayed in school, and are going to have their diplomas plucked from them just before they get to the finish line.
Walla Walla Public Schools values all students and demonstrated their commitment by traveling to Olympia to advocate for a differentiated diploma. Why? So our students aren't thrown to the streets as dropouts! Our students have committed four years of their life to pursuing their high school diploma. They have met every graduation requirement except passing the state math exam. Walla Walla Public Schools is not willing to turn their back on these students at the finish line and deny them the opportunity to move forward in their lives. Walla Walla Public Schools understands that the diploma is their ticket to enter a post-high school vocational education program or career path of their choice. The research tells us that the majority of high school graduates become contributors to our society and independent of government assistance. Research also tells us that the majority will earn sustainable income and contribute to our tax revenue. This cannot happen if a student is denied their diploma. (The True Costs of High School Dropouts)
I have had to finally come to an understanding that the 16,000 students at risk don’t exist in the minds of so many of our legislators and State Board of Education. I sat stunned when a member of the Washington Education Committee told me that she was content to deny a high school diploma to those that don’t meet standard in math. Why? "If they would have worked harder they could have passed." If Olympia worked harder could they balance our deficit? If Olympia would have worked harder, would we be in the mess we are in now?
When the state denies a student a high school diploma, you and I better work harder, because legislators just added $292,000 over the lifetime of just one dropout onto the backs of the taxpayer. During our state’s worst budget crisis in history, our trusted stewards of our tax dollars are willing to prevent thousands of able young women and men from entering the workforce over one test.
Forcing a student to drop out of school is a predictor for failing in life…… backed up with research. (Study Finds High Rate of Imprisonment Among Dropouts). I have asked for research that shows that failing algebra is a predictor that the students will fail in life. After six weeks, I'm still waiting.
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