District 180 Improves Test Scores, But Fails to Meet Federal Yearly Progress Goals

Community Consolidated School District 180 students made progress on standardized tests taken during the last school year, but failed to meet the adequate yearly progress (AYP) goals established by the federal No Child Left Behind Act, Superintendent Dr. Thomas Schneider told school board members Monday night at Burr Ridge Middle School.

“We’re happy that in both reading and math at Anne M. Jeans our test scores went up,” Schneider said. “We’re also happy that at Burr Ridge Middle School our test scores went up, but both schools did not meet AYP.”

Schneider said the law requires the district to send a letter to parents informing them that the schools did not meet AYP.

“That’ll be sent home and posted on our Web site,” he said.

Schneider said he wasn’t sure what the purpose of the letter is.

“Here we have a school district that improved our test scores considerably,” he noted, “and yet we’re required to send out this letter stating that we still have problems achievement-wise, and that’s not the case. We have seen growth.”

Board Member Eric Schroeder suggested that the letter could serve as a reminder to parents that they need to continue to be diligent in monitoring their children’s performance and providing needed help.

“That’s a good point,” Schneider said. “A big chunk of that letter is about, ‘Here’s the things we’re doing that we need your assistance on.’”

Scores to be Released in October

In a telephone interview Tuesday, Schneider said the final test scores would not be made public until October. He said the letter to parents would inform them of the preliminary results and would be mailed before the start of the school year.

“We went up in every area and we’re really happy with that,” he said.

He said test scores in the district went up about 5 percent. The 2010 Illinois School Report Card showed the district met AYP for math with 77.5 percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards. However, with only 66.8 percent of students meeting or exceeding standards in reading, the district did not meet AYP in that area.

To meet AYP requirements for 2011, 85 percent of students would have had to meet or exceed standards.

As Schneider noted during the meeting, the failure to meet AYP soon may not matter. The Obama administration announced Monday it is from requirements of No Child Left Behind.

Schneider indicated he welcomed changes to the law.

“Our philosophy at our district is we want our kids to continually show progress,” he said Tuesday. “Are we helping them make the most of their talents?”