Seattle
  • Current Conditions
    47°
    Cloudy
  • 7:00pm
    44°
  • 10:00pm
    42°
Full Forecast » Radar ImageCurrent Radar »
E-Mail News Alerts
Get breaking news and daily headlines.
Browse all e-mail newsletters
Related To Story

Embeddable News Widgets

Local news, local sports or weird news. Put KIRO's headlines on your Web site with a simple copy and paste. More Details

State Superintendent Fails Example WASL Questions

POSTED: 3:27 pm PDT August 8, 2008
UPDATED: 4:11 pm PDT August 8, 2008

An embarrassing moment comes at a bad time for Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Terry Bergeson.

Protesters challenged Bergeson to take the test they hate, the WASL -- the Washington Assessment of Student Learning -- and the test she supports.

”I don't care if we call it the WASL; I care if we have a very good measure of the skills that kids need to make a life and be part of the American dream in the 21st century,” Bergeson said.

Bergeson's running for a fourth four-year term and recently answered a few WASL questions given to her by The Stranger newspaper.

Out of three questions given to Bergeson, the answer sheet posted on The Stranger showed that she didn’t answer any of the three questions correctly.

The editorial board of The Stranger opposes the WASL, opposes Bergeson's re-election and was happy to post her answers on the web.

An example question: Tom, Dick and Harry work in a bank. One is the manager, one is the cashier and one is the teller. The teller, who was an only child, earns the least. Harry, who married Tom's sister, earns more than the manager. What position does each person fill?

Bergeson's campaign manager told KIRO 7 that The Stranger surprised Bergeson with the questions, which she had trouble seeing, because she didn't have her glasses with her.

Bergeson is running for re-election in this month's primary. The leading challenger for Bergeson's job is former state lawmaker Randy Dorn, promising WASL reform.

“We have basically a 20th-century assessment system in the 21st century, and I want to bring it to the 21st century,” Dorn said.

A reporter for The Stranger said Dorn got the same WASL questions and didn't do any better than Bergeson. The newspaper has endorsed Dorn, and KIRO 7 has learned his answers will not be posted on the Internet.

News Images & Video

kirotv.com Video

Man Accidentally Shoots Wife During Sex
CNN Image
Listen to the 911 call of a man calling police near Dayton, Ohio, to report that he had accidentally shot his wife while they were having sex. More Details


A local man arrested in connection with two rapes in SeaTac was a school bus driver.


Shop At The Online Mall

Sponsor Links

Links We Like
Sponsored Content
There is no absolute number of drinks per day that defines alcoholism. Learn the behavior and body reactions that constitute alcoholism. More Details

If you’re feeling like you’re not doing what you’re supposed to, take this quiz and take control of your working destiny. More Details

With the holiday season fast approaching, most of us plan to repeat the new-age tradition of online shopping. Check out the best sites and find that perfect gift for less. More Details

Gastrointestinal ailments – whether temporary or chronic – can be unbearable. Learn how to recognize symptoms and treat digestive woes. More Details

Don’t be left out. Make the switch to Digital TV.

Weird Headlines

1/7/02 AP Photo
Shake up your day with pictures of crazy antics, strange animals and more. More Details
Read more in our Weird Headlines Section
Sign Up For The Weird Headlines E-Mail

Cheerleaders Of The NFL

Check out slideshows from the NFL cheerleading squads! More Details


Credit Center

Most Americans Score 692. Where Do You Rank? Find out Instantly and Online - $0. More
Experian

Back To Top