TEST RESULTS MEASURE PERFORMANCE, HELP IDENTIFY LEARNING NEEDS
District-wide tests show that D41 students are performing
at a high level, with some exceptions. In 2008,
91.3% of D41 students met or exceeded state standards
on the Illinois Student Achievement Tests (ISAT)
in reading, math, writing and science. The aggregate
number is one piece of the picture; the disaggregated
numbers show how students performed by subgroup
(the subgroups are based on gender, racial and ethnic
groups, students with disabilities, students with
limited English, and students who are economically
disadvantaged). Students often are in more than
one subgroup. The 2002 No Child Left Behind Law
(NCLB) says that all students must meet standards
in reading and math by 2014. The law's goal is to
make sure all children are performing at grade level,
and to eliminate achievement gaps among subgroups
of students. Illinois measures compliance to NCLB
with the ISATs and the results are published in
school report cards furnished by the state. For
the 2008 ISATs that students took last March, NCLB
says that 62.5% of any subgroup of 45 children or
more in total throughout the district must meet
standards, otherwise the district does not make
Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP); in 2009, the subgroup
requirement will be 70%. D41 students posted
strong results as a whole; however, black and economically
disadvantaged subgroups did not make AYP in reading.
Assistant Superintendent for Teaching, Learning
and Accountability Karen Carlson explained that
D41 also uses the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP)
test, an online instrument that tells teachers the
instructional level of each student, which learning
standards they have mastered, and which they need
to work on. Used together, these tests, along with
other classroom assessments and teacher observations,
provide data that is used at the classroom, school
and district level to strengthen student achievement.
Next Steps: Ms. Carlson noted that the district has short- and long-range plans in place to improve student achievement for all students. These strategies include the curricular review cycle, the new balanced literacy curriculum, and an assessment approach that helps teachers examine their student learning data and use it to improve their students' mastery of material. School Improvement Plans are also developed in light of the strengths and challenges the test information reveals at each building. The Illinois School Report Cards are expected to be available and posted on
www.d41.org by the end of October.
BID PROCESS FOR 2009 SUMMER PROJECTS DISCUSSED
Summer break is a time when maintenance and improvement projects are conducted in the schools and the BOE reviewed the list of proposed projects for summer 2009. These projects are part of a 20-year capital projects and age & obsolescence plan and include stormwater and parking lot improvements, painting, playground equipment and air conditioning for those remaining non-air-conditioned areas in the buildings which are the Forest Glen office and the gyms at Hadley and Churchill.
Next Steps: At the Nov. 3 meeting, the Board will take action on authorization to go out for bids. Once the administration has quotes, it will develop a final project recommendation. By getting out into the market early, the district increases its chances of getting competitive quotes by excellent contractors.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
A representative from the American Association of University Woman (AAUW) presented information on an April, 2009 conference meant to help middle-school Latina students stay in school, explore their potential and plan for college.
UPCOMING MEETINGS: The next Board of Education meeting is set for Monday Nov. 3, 7:30 p.m. at the Central Services Office, 793 N. Main St. The Nov. 17 meeting will be held at Forest Glen School, 561 Elm St. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.
