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Changes await students,
teachers as they return to school
By Rep. Dan
Kristiansen
Now that teachers and
students have returned to classes, this is a good time to discuss
changes in Washington's schools and colleges.
WASL replaced
For the first time in 12
years, students will no longer be required to take the WASL (Washington
Assessment of Student Learning). Now kids (and teachers), before you
celebrate this controversial test's demise, you're not entirely off the
hook. The WASL is being replaced by two new tests: the
Measurements of Student Progress for grades three through eight, and
the
High School Proficiency Exam.
I've been concerned how
our state's education system has drifted away from the fundamentals that
would help young people become successful. Instead, the focus has been
on ensuring students pass a complex WASL exam that placed greater
emphasis on how an answer was achieved rather than the correct answer.
The new tests, which will
still be given in reading, math, writing and science, are shorter and
provide multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank answers while eliminating
long-answer essay questions. Computerized testing will be phased in,
beginning with middle schools this year, and entirely online by 2014.
Assessments will last only four to five days, instead of eight.
While it remains to be
seen whether these exams will be an improvement over the WASL, it does
seem to set our state on a better course back to the basics.
Advanced notice for
college materials
If you are a college
student or have kids in college, you know books are expensive. You also
know books ordered online may be found at a discount. However, online
ordering has been risky, because there's not enough time to get the
materials delivered, especially when the college gives short notice on
book requirements.
This year, the Legislature
approved
House Bill 1025, which requires college- and university-affiliated
bookstores to provide a four-week advance notification of course
material requirements. This should provide college students enough time
to find and order their books at more affordable prices.
Sales tax holiday for
school clothes?
Here's an idea I am
contemplating -- and I would appreciate your input. One of the largest
costs for families is children's back-to-school clothes. That cost is
escalated when you pay sales tax. How about a sales tax holiday for
school clothes?
Eleven states have enacted legislation to provide a temporary sales
tax exemption on back-to-school products, including children's clothes,
as a way to make these essentials more affordable for families.
Legislation was proposed in the Washington Legislature in 2001, but did
not pass. With families struggling in this recession, maybe it's time to
reconsider that measure.
School zone safety
Finally, please remember
the speed limit in school zones is 20 miles per hour. Many children are
now walking to school and to their bus stops. A child has an 80 percent
chance of surviving if struck by a car going 20 miles per hour or less,
versus an 80 percent chance of being killed if struck by a vehicle going
faster. A ticket in a school zone could cost you as much as $784. Please
obey the traffic laws. Our children's safety depends on each of us being
responsible and alert.
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EDITOR'S NOTE:
State Rep. Dan Kristiansen, R-Snohomish,
represents the 39th Legislative District, and also serves as chairman of
the Washington House Republican Caucus. He can be contacted at (360)
786-7967 or from his Web site at:
www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/Kristiansen.
For more information, contact:
John
Sattgast, Senior Information Officer: (360) 786-7257
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