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State report card: District 186 posts gains in graduation and ninth-grade on-track; chronic absenteeism and science standards remain concerns
Summary
District staff presented the newly released Illinois State Report Card showing 16 'commendable' schools, increases in graduation rates and ninth-grade on-track results, and measurable gains in IAR reading and ACT scores. Chronic absenteeism and statewide changes to science cut scores were identified as ongoing challenges.
Dr. Moody, representing the district's teaching and learning department, presented the Springfield Public Schools District 186 analysis of the Illinois State Report Card released the prior week. The district reported that 16 schools achieved the "commendable" designation, that three high schools increased four-year graduation rates and that ninth-grade on-track rates rose across high schools.
Highlights presented by staff included a districtwide increase in graduation rates over the past three years (a 13-percentage-point increase districtwide), a 9-point gain in IAR reading proficiency and a 4-point gain in IAR math proficiency compared with the previous year, and gains on the high-school assessment used by the state (the ACT). Staff said the state also adjusted proficiency cut scores — notably for science — which reduced proficiency results in science statewide and requires attention to elementary science instruction and scheduling.
Attendance and chronic absenteeism were emphasized as a decisive factor in school designations. Dr. Moody said chronic absenteeism (which counts both excused and unexcused absences for the summative designation) remains a major barrier in moving more schools into the "commendable" category. Staff noted that when chronic absenteeism rates are reduced, several schools would move into higher designations.
The district highlighted several specific celebrations and flagged ongoing priorities: 14 schools earned high proficiency-point totals in one or more tested areas; Lincoln Magnet earned 100% of possible proficiency points in the tested subjects cited; and targeted school-improvement work is underway at schools that have moved down or remain in improvement designations. Staff said efforts to increase ninth-grade on-track and graduation rates include student supports, intervention and tracking that have contributed to recent increases.
Board members asked about differences in science scoring, the relationship between growth and proficiency measures, and how pre-ACT communication to families would be presented. Dr. Moody and staff said science cut scores rose at the state level and that the district has a committee reviewing elementary scheduling and curriculum to strengthen foundational science instruction.
Supporting quote: "Chronic absenteeism, which is on the pie, includes excused and unexcused absences," Dr. Moody said when explaining why attendance affects summative designations.
Ending: Staff said they will return with school-level voices and more detailed improvement strategies at a future meeting and will continue to analyze subgroup performance to address gaps across racial, income and special-education groups.
