The state may boost state funding by $197 million to help students achieve.

With students statewide flailing in math, state officials last month offered a reprieve on testing.

Now – in a move that could be a boon to Bainbridge schools – they’re offering some serious educational ammunition, in the form of $197 million worth of additional funding for math and science instruction.

Proposed to the Legislature this week by Gov. Chris Gregoire, the money would be used to reduce class sizes, recruit additional teachers and establish a salary bonus system – all steps designed to help struggling students perform better on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning, a test designed to measure student progress.

“I think it’s always encouraging to hear about additional funding possibilities,” said Bainbridge Deputy Superintendent Faith Chapel. “Obviously, extra resources are always welcomed.”

Still, Chapel said, several questions remain. The funding must first be approved by the Legislature. Even if it is approved, it remains unclear just how much help Bainbridge schools would get. The number would depend on what criteria the state chooses to use when allocating the money.

Following a smaller boost in the spring, the district anticipated an additional $50,000, but in the end only received about $26,000. That number was comparatively small because funds were allocated based on student performance – better on Bainbridge than it was in most other districts.

“While we certainly appreciated the help, it was less than what we were originally expecting,” Chapel said.

The district was also limited because it could only spend the money to help students pass the WASL.

The current funding proposal follows word last month that proficiency on the math portion of the WASL would not become a graduation requirement until 2011.

Under the original plan, the class of 2008 was to be the first subjected to the requirement. Passing the science WASL will be a graduation requirement beginning with the class of 2010.

Though Bainbridge students have fared better than most in the state, some have still had trouble meeting the math standard.

Some 86 percent of last year’s BHS sophomores passed the math WASL on their first try – better than the 51 percent who passed statewide, but noticeably lower than their 98 percent proficiency on the reading exam and 97 percent in writing.

Just 16 of 28 BHS students cleared the math hurdle on their second try.

“This investment in our educators and schools will help ensure that we can get back to our full math graduation requirement within three years,” said state school Superintendent Terry Bergeson, who supported the additional state funding, in a statement.

“This budget package strengthens the ability of school districts to provide appropriately rigorous math classes to struggling students, so that they will either pass the WASL or, at minimum, continue to improve their math skills until they graduate.”