High Minority Failure Rates

Compared to the half of most students, an overwhelming majority of nearly three-quarters of the state's African American and Latino students who took the 10th-grade WASL failed at least one the subjects needed to graduate. Two-thirds of Native Americans were also on track to have their diplomas revoke, and 70 percent of students living in poverty, mostly white and Asian. Although research has shown an achievement gap has always existed between most groups on all standardized tests, state Superintendent Terry Bergeson told the Seattle Times the state "must ensure success of all students," as it is the core belief of standards-based education reform. Bergeson's goal is to make Washington the first state to eliminate the achievement gap found between ethnic and income groups.