The Rundown: 2011 ISAT Scores, School Surveys and Block Grants

The focus of District 124’s July school board meeting centered on the 2011 Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) review.  

Presented by Assistant Superintendent Kathleen Hatczel, the report provided the board with group and individual data of how Central Junior High School and the four elementary schools in the district performed on this year’s test.

Much of the discussion focused on the annual Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) targets, which measures a student’s math and reading proficiency.

The AYP target for 2011 required 85% or more of students to show proficiency in reading and math. While in 2012, 92.5% or more of students needed to show proficiency in the two subjects.

Hatczel expressed concern that the District might not be able to meet or exceed the AYP target for 2012.

“It’s not that we don’t want to meet these targets,” said Hatczel. “We want every child to succeed, but meeting these targets are difficult if you have a student who is reading at a fourth grade level and is given a sixth grade level test. Sometimes these targets are set so high that they are very hard to accomplish.”

In order to help the district raise their scores, Hatczel outlined a school improvement plan advising the district to implement a core reading and math program, notify parents of how their child is progressing in both subjects, intervention programs and more.

Grant Award

District 124 was awarded $149,472 from the Early Childhood Block Grant. According to Superintendent Diane Cody, the award should “actually cover all of our expenses this year."

MAP Assessments

Further discussion of the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Assessments test will resume at the August school board meeting. Board members made the decision because the test was still in the process of being re-normed.

Access Granted

The board has plans to place key fob access on two doors of each elementary school and on four doors of Central Junior High School. “This would provide a safe and secure way for teachers who would like to come and work on the weekends” said Cody. The reported cost of the project is $29,616. However, the board did point out that this cost was subject to change since this was a quote and not a bid.

Survey Results

District 124 issued an online survey to parents, staff and students to receive feedback on varying topics regarding educational development, discipline and student safety.

According to the board, a large number of students and staff participated in the survey, while a very small number of parents actually participated. Students took the survey in school, while adults had the liberty to take the survey on their free time.

This left the board mulling over strategies that will help increase parental participation for next year.