When and how were goals for grades 3, 5, 6, and 8 established?
Based on the results for 2006, we carefully reviewed what the starting baseline would be for each grade individually, and then compared these results to the existing annual goals for grades 4, 7 and 10. OSPI determined that there were minimal differences between certain grades and that the results showed a natural grouping pattern for elementary grades 3, 4, and 5, for middle school grades 6, 7, and 8 and for high school grade 10. We determined it made sense to keep the existing state uniform bars and rename them: Grade 4 became the Elementary School uniform bar; Grade 7 became the Middle School uniform bar and Grade 10 became the High School uniform bar. Increases will continue to take place in 2008, 2011, and 2014, with a goal of 100% proficiency in 2014 for all tested grades. Based upon recent waiver requests of the U.S. Department of Education, further adjustments in the state uniform bars have been made. Refer to http://www.k12.wa.us/ESEA/AYP/default.aspx for the most current set.
