February 6, 2013
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
Dear Representative,
The Walla Walla Public Schools Board of Directors would like to share our Mission Statement with you. “Walla Walla Public Schools, in partnership with the community, is committed to excellence in personalized learning which challenges and supports all students in becoming educated, productive citizens, and life-long learners.”
We share our mission with you because it is rigorous and strong, yet recognizes every student enters our doors with differentiated needs. In return, we offer differentiated instruction to best meet the needs of each student.
Brain research tells us some students are unable to process abstract concepts http://developingchild.harvard.edu/topics/science_of_early_childhood/toxic_stress_response/
To pass the state math assessment requirement for graduation, a student needs to be able to process abstract concepts. These children have been coming to school, doing everything we ask to the best of their abilities, but frankly – will likely never pass Washington State’s math assessment. This is not about working harder or smarter; it’s about working with a brain unable to process abstract concepts.
Walla Walla Public Schools is proud of the rigor we provide our students. We are proud of our Gifted and Talented program, AP classes, and the partnerships with Walla Walla Community College and Whitman College we have developed to meet the needs of our students. We are committed to meeting students where they are, and challenging them, while supporting them through their studies.
We do not want to change graduation requirements for the majority. We are asking for a differentiated diploma for those students unable to pass one assessment. We are, quite honestly, unwilling to look 53 Walla Walla High School seniors and 14 Lincoln High School seniors in the eye and tell them “sorry, it turns out we won’t recognize the work you have done, and there will be no ticket to a productive future from us.”
Please join us in finding a way to honor the work of Walla Walla’s 67 students, and Washington’s 16,000 (per Randy Dorn, August 2013) students. Offering a differentiated diploma makes academic sense.
Sincerely,
Walla Walla Public Schools Board of Directors
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