District 68 Makes Adequate Yearly Progress

District 68 made adequate yearly progress this year, according to provisions set by the No Child Left Behind Act.

Of the district's roughly 3,000 students, 86.7 percent of students met or exceeded expectations in reading and 88.1 percent of students met or exceeded expectations in math.  The goal for this year was 77.5 percent in both categories.

Districts who make AYP can only have one subgroup of students not meet this goal. A subgroup, such as economically disadvantaged students or students with disabilities, is only counted if there are at least 45 students in a school who fit in the category. The economically disadvantage subgroup at Sipley Elementary School was the only subgroup in the district to not make AYP.

"We are extremely proud of what the teachers were able to accomplish," said Dr. Rebecca Surber, assistant superintendent of curriculum for District 68. "It goes back to the day in and day out of what the teachers are doing with the students."

Surber said the district anxiously awaited the release of the test scores. "Everyone was so excited," she said. "Every building was waiting for the scores to come out."

In 2009, the District did not make AYP because two of its subgroups did not make state standards. The students with disabilities subgroup did not make AYP in math or reading. The limited English proficiency subgroup did not make AYP in reading.

Last year is the only year the district has not met AYP.

"It was a shock to the district that we didn't make it," Surber said. "We had to do things differently to make sure we did make it for 2010."

Surber credits the achievement to a longer school day. Thirty-five minutes were added to the school day last year after negotiations with the district's teachers. Surber said those minutes have been used for the core subjects of reading, math, science and social studies.

She also credits the district's early intervention teaching assistants, who work with kindergarten and first grade students.

"It's important to provide an intervention with students as early as possible," Surber said.

District 68 Superintendent Jerry Brendel said the district's students, teachers and students all contributed to the achievement.

"Everyone was working to make it, together," Brendel said. "We just have good teachers, good students and strong parent support."

Surber said the district has already set its sites on making next year's goal: 85 percent of students meeting or exceeding expectations on the 2011 ISAT.

"With the target moving again, we need to stay focused," she said. "We need to work smarter, not harder, and know where to put our efforts."

The interactive school report cards for the district and individual schools will be released Nov. 1.