D58 students turned in another stellar performance on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test, with 92 percent of third through eighth graders meeting or exceeding 2009 standards in reading and math.
The results far surpass the 70 percent meet-or-exceeds standard required to meet 2009 Adequate Yearly Progress, as set by the No Child Left Behind Act. That standard will increase by 7.5 percent annually through 2014.
“We are meeting AYP in all subgroups and at all schools,” said MaryBeth Webeler, assistant superintendent for curriculum and Instruction. “It’s a very consistent trend.”
The consistency continued with the district’s Stanford Achievement Tests results, which Webeler provided as a comparison. As a nationally normed test, the SAT is very predictive from year to year, she said, while the ISAT has frequently changed.
Again, 92 percent of students in third through seventh grade performed at an average or above average level in SAT reading, math and science tests.
Webeler crunched the district ISAT data in a number of ways, tracking trends in the reading, writing, math and science over the past four years, and charting the performance of student cohorts across the grade levels.
In every case, there was virtually no statistical difference from one year or one grade level to the next, with 88 percent to 96 percent of district students meeting or exceeding standards.
The lone exception was in the writing test which, like science, is not counted toward AYP. The writing test was abandoned by the state in 2004 only to be added back to the battery three years ago. Among students in the third grade, who took the test for the first time, 75 percent met or exceeded standards.
Several district schools have requested support from the Regional Office of Education to address the lower scores, Webeler said. “We will only see those scores continue to strengthen.”
In contrast, 90 percent of sixth-graders met or exceeded standards for writing.
In response to questioning from the board on why the district performs so much better than the state, Webeler commended district families who support their children and form a “very strong partnership between home and school.” She also pointed to the district’s efforts to align its core curriculum to the state’s learning standards.
“District 58 is simply outstanding,” said member Gary Lester. “I hope people are appreciative of that.”
Member Steve Funk asked the administration how to get the word out to the community that “we’re getting more for our money.”
The district will share the information with its school communities, through its Bridges publication and on its Web site, where complete district ISAT results will be posted on Friday, Supt. Paul Zaander said.
Statewide results will be released on Saturday, Oct. 31.
Great news? Are the State’s Standards too low? University of Chicago thinks so.
“Having such low academic standards in eighth grade serves no one well, least of all the students who eke through and then are surprised to find themselves unprepared to do well in high school, let alone college,”
http://tiny.cc/WVQM8
State officials insist they didn’t “dumb down” the test by lowering the passing score! Oh, okay.
Funny how Downers Grove grade schools make the grade, but our high schools don’t. Gee wonder why? It’s those darn section 8 housing Chicago trash that lives with grandma just so they can attend our schools. They bring with them their gang culture and laziness. Just more proof that you can give underprivileged people all the chances and opportunities in the world but they don’t take advantage of it. Send them back to Daley!! Our schools shouldn’t have to change for a few students who don’t care about education. Subtract these students and our high schools are exceeding NCLB standards.
I’ve got my own opinions on the ISAT, but purposely chose to keep them out of this story. I plan to share them at some later point.
As the mother of children who have been taking the ISAT for 10 years, I’ve always been more interested in their SAT results, which are nationally, rather than state, normed.
I was heartened to see in Dr. Webeler’s presentation that our students are also doing well on that test, although it’s my impression that the “average” range starts at a rather low stanine.
Clearly, there are many ways to drill down on the data. It will be up to the board to determine whether it wishes to delve deeper into the results. I get the impression Webeler would be willing. She stated during the meeting that she enjoys working with data.
C’mon, Chad. That’s a bit extreme isn’t it? Part of the problem for the high schools is that the state includes the ACT — a college qualifying test — among its battery. That means everyone takes it, whether they have the desire — or ability — to go on to school or not.
That’s just one way the playing field isn’t level.
EJ,
Why not just realize that is the reality so we can move on. If you look at our high school test results there are a few bad apple’s throwing off the whole system and I can say with a good degree of certainty that they are not coming from D58. These are the difficult issue’s we need to address as a community and as a society. We have ignored them for too long. We can no longer blame the school system for our children’s shortcomings. Lets do the difficult thing; the uncomfortable thing and look beyond our school system for the answer.
Does Chad have any facts about how many “darn section 8 housing Chicago trash that lives with grandma just so they can attend our schools” there are, and what their test scores are?
Here John,
I know you know your way around a report.
http://www.csd99.org/assets/1/school_report_cards/District_Report_Card1.pdf
Here is another story on the inner city housing projects suburban sprawl. its real John…
=================================
In Chicago, the infamous Robert Taylor Homes are gone, and the equally infamous Cabrini-Green is all but gone. This has meant the removal of tens of thousands of people, who have taken their Section 8 federal housing subsidies and moved to struggling African American neighborhoods elsewhere in the city. Some have moved to the city’s southern suburbs–small suburbs such as Dixmoor, Robbins, and Harvey, which have been among the poorest communities in metropolitan Chicago. At the same time, tens of thousands of immigrants are coming to Chicago every year, mostly from various parts of Latin America. Where are they settling? Not in University Village. Some in Logan Square, but fewer every year. They are living in suburban or exurban territory that, until a decade ago, was almost exclusively English-speaking, middle-class, and white.
=================================
I wonder how many of them were moved to willing villages who needed some tax revenue? Not aware of too many in section 8 developments in Downers Grove, school test scores prove this theory to a degree. Other villages in our area not so sure! You be the judge! I am not saying all of these transplants are bad, but ponder where the people came from. You are usually products of your environment. According to some DGS alumnus that school has gotten kinda shady over the years(not my words).
Hat tip to Hillcrest Elementary School for cracking the Top 50 Elementary Schools in Illinois at #48. Downers Grove North (Comm H S Dist 99 – North H S) ranked 24th in the top 50 H.S. list.
Chad, it is what it is. People trying to make a better life for themselves and their families. We have to be smart enough, work hard enough, and be thoughtful enough to make that happen. Whatever I can do to help I will. Over the years many people have reached out to help me and now it is payback time. I wound up going to 3 high schools and it took 5 years to get through. I finished close to last in my high school graduating class. Now, I am a self-employed CPA, have taught college, veteran of the Marines, President of the DG Noon Lions and raised a family in the DG area. I am glad I wasn’t left behind.
I applaud you, George.
I worked in low income housing in the mid-to-late ’90′s, so I witnessed firsthand what Chad is describing. But to piggyback on what George says, it doesn’t matter where these kids came from — they’re ours now.
They might not have had the solid foundation that other kids have had. That doesn’t mean they’re irredeemable. They need to catch up. We can either be angry and resentful about it, or we can relish the challenge and put in the effort. I don’t like referring to any child as “trash.” I guess we shouldn’t call our fellow adults that, either.
My experience as a room mom also teaches me that these “shady” “transplants” are often the first to volunteer to help out in the classroom. That’s not always the case, I know, but I find it best not to make assumptions about people.
George,
It sounds like you took advantage of the opportunities given to you. I am speaking of this culture of mediocrity that seems to be prevalent among mainly city kid transplants to the burbs. That is my point George. I want to see all people succeed, but you have to want it. You can lead a horse to water…
Maybe my few years of Criminal Justice education is blinding my view of this situation. Or maybe it’s the stories I get from my brother the youth prison guard in St. Charles that makes me so jaded. Or maybe it’s the 5 years of loss prevention experience at several retailers that does it for me.
The kids who are the first to volunteer in class are not the kids I speak of. I think that is clear. I have done some research on this topic. From what I hear from kids on the inside, teachers, school board members and parents I think I may be more right that you all want to admit. Now realize that according to the test scores we are only talking about a handful of kids. Don’t loose sight of that. I don’t think you change the way your are teaching an entire school population for just a handful of bad apples. I also am not saying that all underprivileged kids are this way. I came from a house hold where I was taught that respect is earned not given. Students know that all to well. You need to prove to your teacher that you are a good student. Many of my teachers would start off the year saying that you all have an “A” right now. It is up to you to keep it!!
Assumptions are there for a reason though. Just as it is assumed that I had it easy growing up in Schaumpton (AKA Schaumburg), the kids who have these low state test scores have assumptions made about them. It is up to the individual to rise above the assumptions(stereotypes) and contribute positively.
I always tested poorly on those state tests. I realize that standardized test scores alone are not the litmus test to academic success of failure. However, low test scores on those tests do predict the students who need help. I always got help, my parents would have it no other way. I still struggled with school. I finished middle of my high school graduating class. Not stellar, but good enough to go to college.(I was on the 8 yr plan BTW) So I know a little bit about education being very hard for some kids. However, there is no way I am going to fault our school district for not doing enough. Our school district is one of the best around. NCLB is a shame and should be thrown out!
I understand what you were saying a lot better now, Chad.
And you and I are in agreement on this topic.
I am just remembering a high school kid that was hired as an intern from one of those troubled Chicago neighborhood schools. (Granted, he was chosen because he was an outstanding student.) He was teaching himself grammar and English and borrowing books from me because they weren’t teaching him and he knew he needed it. When he graduated, with honors, his parents didn’t even acknowledge the occasion because “they just weren’t into education.” He went on to college — AGAINST his family’s wishes.
I don’t know what was inside of that particular kid; I wish we could bottle it, though.
dgmom,
Sorry it took so long to get my point across. See that is why I spent 8 years in and out of college! LOL
That is truly sad that his parents didn’t support his education. Our kids look to us for affirmation that the work they do means something. Maybe we need to change the way we communicate with the parents. Maybe that is what we need to change, not the way the school educates the kids. I realize that there are very good parents out there who’s kids are not going to meet standards in our school system. If the parents are reaching out for help and the kid still doesn’t cut the mustard then we as a school system have done our jobs.
Maybe an alternative educational system should be devised for these students who do not want to go on to college. A vocational or tech school where they can still graduate with their class and get a head start on getting a good paying respectable career. We spend so much money on special education and the majority of these children are not going on to college. Again, not saying we don’t need to educate these children because we do. Our politicians are always telling us how reforming our educational system will stop kids from falling through the cracks. No it wont. The kids falling through the cracks are these kids I speak of. They need direction and to be stimulated and shown that college is not always the answer but a good education is. Oh well, I hope that makes sense.
Mark Thoman… source for Top Schools?
http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/1251847,illinois-school-report-cards-main-103108.article
Under “Related Stories” are .pdf’s of the top 50 lists, as well as comparatives for all schools broken into elementary, middle, and high schools.
The foundation for future success in education is built at home in the first 5 years of life. An environment of poverty, subtance abuse, apathy and ignorance rob children of these crucial development years. There are many exceptions to the rule where older children stop identifing with thier surroundings and choose to succeed, but most will choose the cultural norm of thier family/surroundings and if that culture isentitlement then all personal responsibility flies out the window – a mindset so difficult to alter. While alot of the south burbs have seem dramatic housing and school performance changes (Riverdale, Harvey, Homewood, Dixmoor….) DG like all of these communities and schools have always had varying levels of performance because of the differences in the attendants. It can not all be blamed on the new Section 8 renters in town.
Sorry for the poor spelling…at home with a H1N1 little one and have had little sleep over many days….
Ok Kelly, I’ll bite. Where is the blame then and how do you fix it? You say its not the section 8ers. What is then? There are only 2 remaining factors of which I do not agree is the problem.
1. teachers
2. school system
Since you have let the parents and the environment off the hook how do you fix this issue? Serious questions for serious times Kelly! Let us know what you think then.
And I hope your little one gets better quick!!
This article about states that have lowered proficiency standards is worth a look, even if it doesn’t address Illinois specifically.
Chad D. Walz // Oct 30, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Ok Kelly, I’ll bite. Where is the blame then and how do you fix it? You say its not the section 8ers. What is then? There are only 2 remaining factors of which I do not agree is the problem.
1. teachers
2. school system
Since you have let the parents and the environment off the hook how do you fix this issue? Serious questions for serious times Kelly! Let us know what you think then.
Chad,
I don’t believe you read my posting correctly – The Home is where everything starts. Parents, siblings and other care givers are some of the only people 0-5 year-olds interact with and learn from until school. Parents raising children with abuse, apathy and ignorance could care less about thier kids, they are just a check. It is almost too late once they get to school and more public $$$$ or a different setting all too often does very little to alter future success. I have always thought the answer for CPS should be boarding schools in some cases, because we can’t make the parents care or act on thier childs behalf. All that said I would guess that not one parent with a child in Pierce Downer would move that child to Lester.
The strength of this community, above all else, is the quality of the schools. If I were somehow forced to move my kids out of Pierce Downer I would sell the house and buy something (tiny) in Western Springs.
Readers of this blog may recall a story I contributed about a section 8 family that lived (past tense thank Christ) across the street. I have no idea how the kids (they varied from 2 to 6 depending on the day) performed in our school district but if they’re observable home-life was any indication, they had allot to overcome.
Ok Kelly, I understand now. So our schools are fine, its the parents. So how do we fix the parents? How do you change a culture of dependence to a culture of personal responsibility? That is whay it comes down to. Why is education not a priority? President Obama wants to change our school system and has Arne Duncan, former head of the CPS developing a plan to overhaul the system. Is it really the system that needs to be changed? Or could it be that we need to change how some parents think. How do you get parents who believe they have no hope to instill as sense of pride and urgency into educating their kids? This is a problem that we need to solve as a society, not just on the Downers Grove level.
PDS is but one school in D58. Last time I checked our town is bigger than one school community. I realize that your little award winning school has produced so many rocket scientists, Doctors and Nobel lariats that the other 10 schools should just close right? If you do your job as a parent it doesn’t matter what school your kids go to. If our community is so strong then why are the test scores in certain subgroups so low? Could it be because some of these children are not from our community originally? I am just sayin. I ask the hard questions that other people are uncomfortable asking even if I don’t like the answers. More people need to ask the tough questions more often.
Today, as 100 years ago those questions are largely unanswered. Why don’t people who can go to college for FREE go? Most families would give thier limbs for thier child to have a free education……is it the mix of culture and class? There are whole areas of study devoted to just this topic and yet there are few answers. Yes, Chicago tore down public housing and then did not rebuild, but Move Up to Opportunity started as Clinton’s answer to this issue and every major city in America has had to deal with changeing demographics for years and years – before 1920 no decent native born Chicagoian lived on what is now the tawney North Side. People who can, move when things change too much for thier own comfort. I don’t know that there is an answer. But I agree NCLB has to go.
See the rental homes in town, it’s easier to fill the building when you open it up to section 8 housing. With the housing market as it is, there is a very strong possibility of more and more section 8 qualifiers moving in. It isn’t a South or North thing, but it is interesting that the North side might be more affected as the majority of new development is on that side. Builders and speculators aren’t tearing those homes down now, they are trying to find renters. Hmmm. I wonder if that is what happened to house acrosss the street from Meat.
It is.
Downers Grove only turns into to Riverdale if we all move away and stop calling police.
Here is an interesting item from the Trib today. Eric Zorn takes on James Meeks views on problems involving the schools and youth violence in Chicago. Zorn rightly points out lack of personal responsibility on the part of parents as a big part of the problem.
http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2009/10/comments-on-rev-meeks-bloody-hands-essay.html
Note the reference in latter part of Zorn’s responses to the need for “lower single parent birth rates”. Though stated oddly, that is a big part of the problem. Out of wedlock births are over 30% today. Parents won’t be involved in their children’s lives if there aren’t two committed parents to begin with.
Good article, thanks for posting it. At least someone is realizing that it’s not the kids its the culture. There is a culture of mediocrity and violence that prevails in certain subgroups in society. Mostly in poorer groups of people. Until those groups of people take personal responsibility for their actions it doesn’t matter what a school district or government does to help.