PARCC assessment results and how District 88 continues to prepare students for post-secondary success

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has officially released the results of the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) exam from the 2014-15 school year. That information can be viewed on our school report card at https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/22.

While the results paint a picture students throughout Illinois are performing below grade level, we know that’s not the case. Data shows our students are prepared for successful futures and are college and career ready. On the ACT college entrance exam, Illinois tied for the top composite score of states that tested 100 percent of the class of 2015. The Illinois class of 2015 also had the second-highest number of perfect ACT scores in the U.S. According to research conducted by The College Board, Illinois is the No. 1 exporter of college students in the Midwest. With those national results, we’re confident our students are on track to do well after they graduate from our schools.

We are proud of how our students and staff handled the new PARCC assessment and embraced the increased academic rigor of the exam, as well as the new state standards. We will continue to be compliant with state requirements, but our focus will remain on the individual growth of each student and preparing each one for post-secondary success – and our research shows we’re accomplishing that goal.

Our national recognitions and 2015 state report card show our students are ready for post-secondary success.

  • Our four-year graduation rate is 89 percent, which is above the state level of 86 percent.
  • We have nearly 1,400 students participating in Advanced Placement (AP)/college-level courses. In 2014-15, 560 students (including 109 freshmen) earned an AP exam score that entitled them to receive college credit.
  • Our level of “Freshmen On Track” to graduate is 84.2 percent, which is above the state level of 83.4 percent.
  • We are right at the state level in terms of the percent of students who enrolled in a two- or four-year college/university in the U.S. within 12 months of graduating from District 88 (68 percent).
  • Last year, District 88 was named as “Top High Schools” by Newsweek and as “America’s Most Challenging High Schools” by The Washington Post. Addison Trail and Willowbrook also were named as “Best Public High Schools in the Chicago Metro Area” in the 2015 Niche Rankings, and District 88 was ranked 47th in Illinois. Addison Trail and Willowbrook also were named as “Best High Schools” by U.S. News & World Report. So far this school year, both schools were named as “Best Public High Schools in the Chicago Metro Area” in the 2016 Niche Rankings, and District 88 was ranked 32nd in Illinois.

When viewing the PARCC exam results, there are a few key aspects to keep in mind.

  • As State Superintendent Tony Smith, Ph.D., said when the statewide results were released, the results are simply a new baseline from which we will move forward. This is a new exam, and we expect students, staff and others involved with the assessment will continue to adapt and improve in the future. Also important to remember is the PARCC standards are internationally benchmarked, while previous tests were benchmarked against state standards. That change has created a perception of lower test scores – when in fact they are simply different.
  • As did many high school districts, District 88 tested ELA 1 (English 9) and Algebra 1 students (mainly freshmen) to avoid excessive testing for juniors. What that means is about 20 percent of our highest-performing freshmen were ineligible to take the math exam, as they were enrolled in Geometry rather than Algebra I.
  • Each school district defined which students qualified to take the PARCC exam differently. Therefore, you cannot make equal comparisons on performance simply by comparing the percent of students who met or exceeded the PARCC benchmark. (Some districts tested juniors, while others tested sophomores or freshmen.)
  • The culture of District 88 is to focus on exams that impact our students’ future, and the PARCC exam isn’t aligned to college entrance or graduation requirements. Our students and staff value AP exams and the ACT assessment. As you can see from the data above, we are performing well in those areas.

What’s next in terms of student assessments?

  • Illinois won’t be funding the ACT this year and has selected the SAT as the college entrance exam of choice moving forward. While we are pleased the state has supported an exam, there has been no indication by ISBE as to how and when the SAT will be administered to our students. District 88 is committed to providing our students with an opportunity to take a college entrance exam. Because details regarding the SAT are still being finalized, we will offer a national ACT exam on April 9, 2016, at Addison Trail and at Willowbrook (buses will be provided for students). Students must register for that exam by March 4, 2016, at www.actstudent.org/regist. We encourage students to sign up as soon as possible, and Guidance Counselors are available to assist with the registration process. The cost of the ACT exam is $39.50, and the cost of the ACT with writing is $56.50. Students can go to www.actstudent.org/faq/feewaiver.html to request an ACT fee waiver. Students who require testing accommodations should contact their Guidance Counselor or case manager to assist in submitting the necessary paperwork to register for the ACT.
  • This spring, we will again administer the PARCC exam to students enrolled in ELA 1 (English 9) and Algebra I. Students will take the assessment between April 11 and 29. More details will be provided closer to that date.
  • ISBE also has indicated there will be a science assessment to be administered this spring. We believe that assessment will be for sophomores, but we are waiting to hear from ISBE regarding final details of that exam.

We know the PARCC exam is one tool to help us accomplish our mission of working for the continuous improvement of student achievement, but it doesn’t tell the whole story of our district. If you have questions regarding the PARCC exam results, feel free to contact me at 630-530-3990 or shelton@dupage88.net. We are proud of the many successes of our students and staff, and we appreciate your continued support of District 88.

 

Scott Helton, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools