Board hears data-driven plan: ACT transition, growth metrics and rising student needs
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Summary
Superintendent-led presentation tied the district's strategic plan to new state metrics after the SAT-to-ACT transition; leaders reported student growth percentiles (ELA 48.6%, math 49.4%), a 'commendable' summative designation, and notable demographic shifts including a rise in low‑income students to 47% and homeless students to 7.6%.
The superintendent and action-team leaders presented an extended data review linking the district's recently adopted strategic plan to state-report-card changes, assessment transitions and targeted action steps.
Presenters emphasized that the state’s transition from the SAT to the ACT complicates year-to-year proficiency comparisons but that converting to state percentile rankings allows better apples‑to‑apples comparison. The presentation noted student growth percentiles of 48.6% in ELA and 49.4% in math — figures described as placing the district solidly in the "average" growth range when compared statewide. "So right now in isolation, this means virtually nothing to us," the superintendent said of single-year SGPs, adding that multiyear trends will provide a clearer benchmark.
Dr. Pollo reviewed the summative designation and told the board West Chicago received a "commendable" rating. Presenters also described demographic and outcome trends: proficiency gains in ELA and math when expressed as state percentile ranking, a modest rise in graduation rate from 86.7% to 87.5% internally (but a five‑percentile drop compared with statewide peers), and an increase in students qualifying as low‑income (from ~38% to 47%) and homeless (from 5.3% to 7.6%).
Action teams outlined specific strategies tied to the plan’s five goals: (1) student growth and academic pathways (e.g., expanded AP, dual-credit and industry‑certification offerings); (2) belonging and social-emotional strategies using the University of Chicago 5 Essentials survey; (3) staff retention and advanced-degree targets; (4) communication and family engagement metrics; and (5) fiscal stewardship and operational efficiencies. Presenters noted measurable interim goals (for example, 2.5% annual growth toward a five-year target for certain proficiency metrics) and new tracking through platforms such as SchoolLinks and YouScience.
Board members thanked presenters for the detailed metrics and asked for follow-up materials and postings to the district website so the community could review the dashboard and related reports.