District says four schools remain in ISBE "intensive" status; progress described as "minimal to moderate"

Dr. Moody told the board that four district schools remain in "intensive" status under Illinois State Board of Education rules and reviewed the district's school-improvement approach at the March 24 meeting.

"A school that is in intensive school status now ... have been in a cycle of improvement for 4 years already," Dr. Moody said, summarizing ISBE's planning and implementation timeline and why additional accountability and support apply. He explained that the district uses three SMART goals at each school — culture, math and literacy — and that target growth is generally set at about 5% across measured data points (NWEA MAP and the Illinois Assessment of Readiness/IAR).

Dr. Moody and building leaders reviewed baseline, midyear and target goals for the four schools (Faichons, Harvard Park, Jefferson and Washington). For some grades and measures the district reported midyear dips or neutral growth; overall the superintendent and Dr. Moody characterized progress as "minimal to moderate" and said additional adjustments are necessary because a school-level improvement effect had not met expectations with some learning partners.

Miss Boozer, a principal who described long involvement in school improvement work, told the board, "It most definitely is more than the numbers," emphasizing behavioral, social-emotional and classroom-level coaching supports. Building-level actions described included consistent data collection and review, more classroom walkthroughs with timely feedback, MTSS implementation, and targeted professional learning. The district said it has brought in consultants from Carnegie Clear Math and Benchmark Advanced for additional teacher support and co-teaching opportunities.

Dr. Moody said the district would continue to monitor school progress and adjust learning partners where the partnership effectiveness is not producing needed results. He thanked building leaders for their role in designing school improvement plans and noted that principals and school staff will continue to implement the action steps presented.

Next steps: district staff will continue implementation of the school improvement plans, track MAP and IAR indicators, and return updates as required by ISBE reporting timelines.