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Test results show District 200's achievements

Over the past two years, the way the state assesses student performance has changed. That change continues this year as the state has moved away from the Illinois Standard Achievement Test and is introducing the Partnership of Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers.

Students in Illinois will take the PARCC for the first time this spring.

The state released student performance data from last spring's state-mandated tests a little more than a week ago. I am happy to report our students continue to perform well above state averages - even with changes in tests.

In 2013, the ISAT included material to address 20 percent of Common Core Standards. In 2014, the ISAT content shifted to 100 percent focus on Common Core Standards.

Here are some student performance highlights I'd like to share with you:

• The percentage of Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 students passing in reading and math exceeds the state by 11 to 23 percentage points.

• We exceed the state in students ready for college coursework by 24 percentage points. The state is now releasing growth data to districts; our district also exceeded growth averages across all grade levels.

• Our ACT composite score increased from the previous year to 23.7 for the Class of 2014 - a score significantly higher than the state average of 20.7 and the national average of 21.

I can assure you, our student performance gains are directly related to the hard work of staff members to implement the rigorous Common Core Standards, as well as their ongoing commitment to improving instruction and raising the level of learning required for students.

At our Sept. 24 school board meeting, Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services Faith Dahlquist delivered a presentation on our student performance data. I invite you to view the presentation and video on our website. You also can view the 2014 School Report Cards for all of our schools as well.

However, all of our achievements that we have worked so hard to achieve in District 200 are at risk if Senate Bill 16 passes the Illinois House during this legislative session.

If enacted into law, SB16 will make sweeping changes in how the state funds education and those changes will have a severe, negative impact on District 200. Our state revenue allocation will be reduced by 81 percent, or $9.8 million. We need your support to make sure this doesn't happen.

Community members are encouraged to attend an informational session about SB16 at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at Hubble Middle School, 3S600 Herrick Road, Wheaton. You also can visit our website, cusd200.org, for full details.

• Jeff Schuler is superintendent of Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200. His column appears monthly in Neighbor during the school year.

If you go

What: Information session on Senate Bill 16

When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13

Where: Hubble Middle School, 3S600 Herrick Road, Wheaton

Info: cusd200.org

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