State Testing Requirements
Very Important
If you choose not to participate in state testing you will not be able to re-enroll with WAVA for the 2016-17 school year.
State Testing is a WAVA Requirement
There is no "opt out" option for state testing at WAVA. Though elementary and middle school testing is not required for high school graduation, it is required for re-enrollment to WAVA for next school year which was explained on all enrollment forms and in our handbook; documents which were signed upon enrollment indicating that you would participate and provide transportation. High school state testing is required for high school graduation.
As a school we have had to become much more strict requiring testing for students. A parent can choose not to test for any reason, but if they do so, it will negatively impact WAVA and its likelihood to remain an option for Washington families. When a student “opts out” the school will receive a zero for that student’s scores which are averaged into the overall school results used by OSPI‘s Digital Learning Department (DLD) to determine whether or not online programs are allowed to continue operating.
Online schools like WAVA have always been under a microscope to prove that online learning works, that students are successful in this model, and that we deserve to be an option for the families of WA. When we just look at the scores of our students who test, we do really well and meet the bar. However, the zeros we receive from those who do "opt out" make the difference and could ultimately be the single factor that that the state uses in deciding to close WAVA .
So, because of this dynamic, we are becoming much more strict about requiring that all students participate. Those who choose not to participate will not be re-enrolled in WAVA in future years. This decision is supported and encouraged by both OSPI DLD and the Office of Civil Rights as being legal and reasonable for the survival of the WAVA program. All of our enrollment documents and handbooks reflect this requirement and are signed and agreed to by parents during enrollment each year.
Why it's important to keep your test dates
We have been rescheduling about 20% of our families daily. This means that soon, the makeup dates will be full. Please only reschedule if absolutely necessary or you may be at risk for not being able to make up the test. This would mean that you would not able to enroll at WAVA next school year.
If you have questions about state testing, please contact your homeroom teacher.
Washington Virtual Academies
Email: info@wava.org
Website: wava.k12start.com
Location: Washington Virtual Academies, South 35th Street, Tacoma, WA, United States
Phone: 253-964-1068
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WashingtonVirtualAcademies/?fref=nf
Twitter: @K12_WAVA