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Superintendent: ISBE's new proficiency cut scores will affect Komarek's 2025 report card
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Todd Fitzgerald told the board that ISBE adjusted assessment 'cut scores' for 2025, likely producing lower reported proficiency rates; he urged use of student growth measures rather than cross-year proficiency comparisons.
Superintendent Dr. Todd Fitzgerald presented the district's interpretation of the Illinois Interactive School Report Card changes for 2025, explaining that the Illinois State Board of Education adjusted proficiency 'cut scores' for statewide assessments to better align reported proficiency with college readiness.
"It is recommended that when evaluating performance, use student growth, not proficiency, as student growth is the 'most meaningful school improvement metric'," Dr. Fitzgerald said, noting the state advised against comparing 2025 proficiency directly with prior years or across grades and subjects. He told the board that the recalibration means many districts should expect lower reported proficiency rates in 2025, with math showing steeper declines by grade than ELA.
Fitzgerald emphasized the IAR (Illinois Assessment of Readiness) remains the state test for ELA and Math in grades 3 through 8 and for Science in grades 5 and 8; he also noted the School Report Card does not include classroom assessments, daily grades, or NWEA MAP results, and cautioned stakeholders on interpretation.
