With a firm deadline in place, the class of 2008 in Washington state rose to the challenge in reading and writing when standards were raised. However, math and science requirements were postponed, because it became obvious that a high percentage of students would not measure up.

Grudgingly, the Legislature and education reformers went along. With the delay came curriculum changes and vows to improve instruction in time for the class of 2013 to be tested.

In the meantime, the new state schools superintendent has been elected, and on Thursday he asked that the math and science requirements for high school seniors be postponed again.

Randy Dorn says the delay is needed because last spring only 45 percent of sophomores passed the state’s math assessment and even fewer passed science. So now he wants to push the reset button. Math would be delayed until 2015 and science pushed back to 2017.

This is beyond frustrating.

The problem with math instruction has been well known for years. It’s confounding that other states can teach the subject competently but Washington keeps turning in an “Incomplete.” The rationale for extending deadlines is always the same: “Are we really going to block the graduation of large numbers of students?”

By that logic, the state will only institute math and science requirements after it’s been demonstrated that a higher percentage can pass. This is like watching high jump practice and then deciding where to place the bar so that most competitors will clear it. When the consistent message is that the state will call off accountability, then it’s impossible to gauge students’ best efforts.

The higher goal is supposed to be motivation for teachers and students. It’s supposed to represent the realities of college and workplace expectations. The knowledge needed for careers in science, technology and engineering won’t change because the state needs more time.

Thankfully, Gov. Chris Gregoire is not supportive of Dorn’s request, saying that students can meet the standards once they understand the importance of doing so. It’s time for the state to test this hypothesis. The Legislature must insist that Dorn return with a plan that challenges teachers and students.

Business leaders and the League of Education Voters have also criticized Dorn’s proposal. The League notes that postponement would lead to more remedial math at community colleges and put the state’s application for federal Race to the Top funds on shakier ground.

For once, let’s assume that students are capable of higher achievement and set the standards accordingly.