District 21 blames test changes for poorer results

Compared to last year, when all but two Wheeling Township Elementary District 21 schools fared well on state test scores, only four made adequate yearly progress in reading this year.

However, that wasn't too surprising to board members and staff, who expected a downturn ever since the state changed the way it did testing for non-English speaking readers.

Before 2007, the IMAGE test was given to English-language learners in Illinois to measure No Child Left Behind requirements. However, last year, the state decided to give the same ISAT test to all students.

The board braced itself for lower scores this year. Janelle Hockett, director of curriculum for the district, said the results actually were a bit higher than expected.

"They did very well on math, and math is still somewhat language-based," she said.

Four of the district's 12 schools made adequate yearly progress in reading. Those were Cooper, Longfellow, Poe and Riley. Ten schools made adequate yearly progress in math: Cooper, Holmes, Field, Frost, Kilmer, Longfellow, Poe, Riley, Tarkington and Twain.

Hockett said the district has more time to adjust to the new testing this year; last year, the state made the decision to no longer use IMAGE tests late in the game.

"We're looking into our data more in-depth to see what program changes need to occur," she said.

Board members are hoping that the state will find an alternative to the IMAGE test for English learners.

"I don't want to see our teachers accused of failing when they don't," said board member Arlen Gould.