North scores hit a couple hurdles

Naperville North High School fell short of meeting federal No Child Left Behind standards this year based on math scores for disabled and economically disadvantaged students.

But those were the only two hurdles Naperville Unit District 203 missed out of 332 as its overall score remained strong but dipped slightly from last year.

The high school scores are based on the Prairie State Achievement Examination, which includes the ACT and is taken by juniors. Most elementary and junior high school students take the Illinois Standards Achievement Test.

The two missed hurdles at North were math scores for economically disadvantaged students, in which 39.2 percent met or exceeded standards, and math scores for disabled students, in which 35.7 percent met or exceeded standards. Fifty-five percent of students in each category must meet standards for the school to make "adequate yearly progress" under the federal guidelines.

An agreement between state and federal education officials allows the scores to each be increased by an additional 14 percentage points, but that still leaves them short of the necessary 55 percent.

Last year, only 47.5 percent of students in each subgroup needed to pass. The threshold will continue to rise until it reaches 100 percent in 2014.

Math for students with disabilities is an area in which North has struggled in the past.

Principal Ross Truemper said his school employs numerous interventions such as practice tests for disabled students and will continue to look at ways to help each individual.

"A number of students are on the cusp. It shows us they're just a step away," he said. "So what do we do to help those students just take that one more step in their toolbox of skills that will help them meet those standards?"

This is the first year there have been enough economically disadvantaged students at the school to be considered a subgroup by No Child Left Behind.

Superintendent Alan Leis said about 40 percent of those students joined the district within the past four years, so officials are looking at their individual data to see how best to help them.

"It doesn't appear to be a problem in curriculum or a flaw, we just need to be able to switch gears and pick up each kid exactly where he or she is," he said.

North recently changed the structure of its problem-solving teams, including deans and counselors, which may help some students, Truemper said.

"We're differentiating interventions academically and socio-emotionally to have each student be in a position to meet standards no matter who they are," he said.

There will be no consequences to the school for not meeting standards this year unless it fails to meet them again next year.

Districtwide, 91.1 percent of students met or exceeded standards this year, down slightly from 91.4 last year. Statewide, 73.8 percent met or exceeded standards this year, up from 72.9.

The district's overall reading score dropped slightly to 90.8 from 91.6, while math scores rose to 93.7 from 93.3.

Leis said his main focus is not so much year-to-year but the overall trend line and District 203's continues to rise. He is especially pleased to see the subgroups improving.

"I find it absolutely thrilling and a huge compliment to our teachers and students and parents," he said.

Scores for individual schools and students will be released in early October.

District 203 test scores

In order to make "adequate yearly progress" under federal No Child Left Behind guidelines, at least 55 percent of each subgroup needed to meet or exceed standards in 2007 and 47.5 percent in 2006. Here's a look at District 203's overall totals:

Reading Math

2007 2006 2007 2006

All 90.8 91.6 93.7 93.3

White 91.7 92.6 94.7 94.3

Black 68.0 67.6 72.0 69.9

Hispanic 74.0 73.2 77.3 75.2

Asian/Islander 95.2 95.8 97.6 98.1

Limited English 80.2 75.3 80.4 71.3

Disabled 63.9 65.3 72.1 70.5

Low income 67.4 67.1 71.1 70.4