Students at Pennoyer School District 79 in Norridge scored slightly higher on Illinois standardized tests this year compared to statewide averages in reading and math, according to results released in October in the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) annual school report cards.
Pennoyer’s scores on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) were about 10 percent higher than the average number of students (59 percent) in the state who met or exceeded standard benchmarks for proficiency in math and reading, but District 79 students showed year-to-year improvement by increasing last year’s scores by 7 percent in 2014.
Looking at math and reading separately, 67 percent of Pennoyer students met or exceeded the state’s reading standards, and 70 percent reached those benchmarks in math, according to school report card data.
Reading scores among Pennoyer students increased by 4 percent from last year, and the school’s math score was 9 percent higher than in 2013.
The report also measures academic achievement from one year to the next to measure improvements over time. The “Student Academic Growth” chart compares students’ performance on the reading and math ISAT from one year to the next.
Scores of more than 100 indicate that students are improving relative to their grade level, according to information from the ISBE.
On a scale of 120—with anything above 100 being considered positive growth, and scores dipping below 100 considered negative growth—District 79’s reading score was 106 compared to the state average of 99.
In math, Pennoyer students scored a 105 compared to the state average of 103.
Last year ISBE implemented more rigorous testing standards with a heavier focus on critical thinking skills to prepare students for a new testing system that will replace ISAT tests starting this school year.
Spring 2014 marked the last year of ISAT testing for Illinois public schools, but students across the state were tested on tougher questions in math, English and language arts in 2013 and 2014 to prepare them for higher academic standards rolled out under the Common Core State Standards initiative this year.
The tougher tests reduced composite ISAT scores at most schools, even when student achievement levels were unchanged, according to the ISBE school report card web site.
The “Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College” (PARCC) exams align with Common Core State Standards and will replace the ISAT’s starting this school year.
The PARCC exams will be given more than once during the school year with the goal of providing a more accurate picture of a student’s level of preparedness for college and a career.
The Illinois school report cards also revealed other district information, including attendance rates, administrative salaries, and how much each school district spends per student.
The school’s overall attendance rate was 96 percent—one percentage point higher than the state average.
The district spent $12,591 on operational costs per student last school year, while school districts across the state spend an average of $12,045 per student, according to the data.
Teachers at Pennoyer made an average salary of $61,209 in 2014.
The full report is available at www.illinoisreportcard.com.