The Bellingham School District is now within one percentage point of closing in on a goal set several years ago of having 90 percent of fourth grade students reading at or above state standards, according to the 2006 Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) results announced today. The percent of high school students districtwide who met or exceeded reading standards topped 85 percent and 84 percent in writing.

 "At the time, this goal seemed far-fetched, but we focused as a district on literacy and invested in one-on-one professional development for staff to improve instruction. Now, we need to address math with the same intensity and involve our community in helping to close achievement gaps," says Superintendent Dale E. Kinsley. "We are working to prepare all of students for college, career and citizenship, and this will require a full-scale community effort."

The percent of district students meeting standards exceeded the statewide percentages in all areas.

WASL scores are just one of many tools that district staff use to determine what students know to help them meet and exceed state standards.

Students in the class of 2008 and beyond need to meet state standards on the high school WASL in reading, writing and math to earn a diploma. Tenth graders who did not meet standard on the WASL this spring had their first opportunity to retake test in early August. They will receive those scores in October. The scores below are from the first attempt this spring. The next retake opportunity is in spring 2007. Each of the four high schools in the district is providing extended day learning and support for students.

This is the first year that students in grades three, five (reading, math), six and eight (reading, math) took the WASL.

Bellingham School District WASL Scores
(Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards)

Grade/Subject	District 2006	District 2005	State 2006	State 2005
Gr. 3 Reading	76%	NA	69%	NA
Gr. 3 Math	69%	NA	65%	NA
Gr. 4 Reading	89%	83%	81%	79%
Gr. 4 Writing	65%	65%	61%	58%
Gr. 4 Math	65%	65%	59%	61%
Gr. 5 Reading	80%	NA	76%	NA
Gr. 5 Math	59%	NA	56%	NA
Gr. 5 Science	49%	44%	36%	36%
Gr. 6 Reading	74%	NA	67%	NA
Gr. 6 Math	56%	NA	50%	NA
Gr. 7 Reading	72%	78%	62%	69%
Gr. 7 Writing	72%	74%	65%	61%
Gr.  7 Math	60%	59%	49%	51%
Gr. 8 Reading	76%	NA	70%	NA
Gr. 8 Math	60%	NA	49%	NA
Gr. 8 Science	57%	46%	43%	36%
Gr. 10 Reading	85%	79%	82%	72%
Gr. 10 Writing	84%	73%	80%	65%
Gr. 10 Math	59%	60%	51%	47%
Gr. 10 Science	43%	50%	35%	36%

NA= not applicable; no scores available from previous years

Click here for a WASL history of the Bellingham School District dating back to 1997...

For school-specific scores, visit http://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us

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