The following is a joint statement from Rep. Chris Reykdal (D-Tumwater) and Rep. David Taylor (R-Moxee) on the passage of HB 2214 – high school assessment reform.
“The House again today gathered strong bipartisan support (83-6) for a measure that will reform the state’s high school assessment requirements and provide much-needed relief to about 2,000 students who otherwise will not receive their diplomas this year.
“The testing system we have in place now is excessive, redundant, and needlessly wastes millions in taxpayer dollars. Signing HB 2214 into law will save the state $30 million in our current budget by reducing the number of unnecessary high-stakes tests for high school students without compromising our high standards.
“Our students are denied an average of $370,000 in lifetime income when we deny them a high school diploma. This is appalling! Over 50% of our nation’s high school dropouts are now happening in the senior year. We are getting kids closer than ever, but then losing them increasingly because of high-stakes tests. There is a better way!
“The 2,000 students being denied a high school diploma because of one biology class this year alone will cost our state over $500,000,000 in economic activity over the next 40 years. That’s lost private sector investment, lower tax base, fewer homeowners, and more of our residents dependent on government services – all because of one test in one subject in one year.
“It doesn’t have to be this way. We urge the Senate to immediately adopt this bipartisan policy and send it to the governor. HB 2214 is the right policy for our kids, our economy, and our future.”
