High test scores leave Dist. 54 feeling lucky

Noting the fortuitous coupling of a balanced budget and successful test scores, Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 board members counted their blessings as the district revealed that the majority of its students met or exceeded state standards based on tests given in March.

Officials announced Thursday that 16 schools scored 90 percent or higher in reading, and 24 schools scored 90 percent or higher in math on the state tests. These scores meet a district goal of at least 90 percent of all students at the school meeting or exceeding standards in reading and math.

Board member Peggy Brothman said the high test scores “makes the balanced budget doubly impressive.

“If we continue in this direction, we're going to have world leaders leaving this district, board member Charlotte Kegarise noted.

Three schools Addams Junior High, Lakeview Elementary School and Keller Junior High did not meet the adequate yearly progress for reading under No Child Left Behind this year, officials said.

Specifically, Addams did not meet the progress goal in the students with disabilities subgroup; Lakeview in the economically disadvantaged student subgroup and Keller students with limited English proficiency, officials said. Conversely, District 54, Eisenhower Junior High and Mead Junior High schools made adequate progress this year after not making it in 2009.

All subgroups improved in reading, and all except those in the multiracial/ethnic subgroup made gains in math, officials said.

This year, the law requires at least 77.5 percent of students in each subgroup including racial background, low income, limited English proficient and students with Individualized Education Programs must meet or exceed standards; in 2011 that number will increase to 85 percent, with the goal of reaching 100 percent of students required to score at or above grade level by 2014.