September 2000 - Renton School District's fourth, seventh and tenth grade Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) scores showed improvement over last year's. Substantial increases in reading scores for elementary and high school reflect results of significant efforts to increase student skills in this important area. Modest gains in middle school reading and elementary and middle school math were noted. Writing scores maintained in elementary and rose significantly in middle school.

An overall decrease occurred in two areas: 1) scores in listening for elementary and middle school decreased somewhat; 2) all high schools except Black River showed a significant decrease in writing skills. In speaking with officials at the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Assessment Office, it was learned that the listening and writing tests are shorter which can be less reliable and cause fluctuations in scores from year to year.

District curriculum specialists and principals agree that the significant reading gains are reflective of the strong district and building emphasis on improving reading skills. The district continues to study, adopt and implement curriculum that supports the State Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs) and integrates reading, writing and higher level thinking and problem solving into all subject areas.