State Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson welcomed the news that more than 90% of high school seniors had passed the graduation requirements of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning.

"The Class of 2008 and the educators who support them have made an incredible start," she said. "We need to support them in continued success. The citizens of our state have every reason to celebrate along with the Class of 2008."

One of her opponents, Randy Dorn, does not see it that way. He called Bergeson's celebration "shortsighted and off the mark." Dorn is basing part of his campaign on opposition to the WASL, a system that Bergeson strongly supports, citing public and teacher disapproval of the test.

 "It is clear that the Superintendent is still not listening to educators and parents over their serious and valid concerns about the WASL," Dorn said in a press release. "She is standing alone in thinking these results and the state of the test is a success.

"If it were not for Governor Gregoire and the Legislature pulling us back from the edge of the precipice by removing the math test requirement for graduation this year more than 1 out of four kids would be denied their diplomas. Terry's failed leadership in the development of the test, including the math portion, demonstrates just how out of touch she is with the rest of us."

Dorn's full press release can be read here.