HF reports 'Commendable' summative designation; leaders flag subgroup reporting gaps

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lisa Dallacqua presented Homewood‑Flossmoor’s 2023–24 Summative Designation data and said the district’s overall index score was 78.61, which places the high school in the 'Commendable' category.

Dallacqua explained that the state’s ESSA framework uses five designations (Exemplary, Commendable, Targeted Support, Comprehensive Support and Intensive Support) and that subgroup reporting rules require at least 20 students with data in a minimum of five indicators for subgroup scores to appear. She noted that, because some subgroups had fewer than 20 students, certain indicators (including graduation rate for the low‑income subgroup) showed blank data and that weightings shift when indicators are missing.

"This is an equity‑based framework," Dallacqua said, adding the district must understand which students are in subgroups to target supports, address chronic absenteeism and improve ELA and math proficiency. She said the district will focus on targeted interventions and teacher strategies for English learners, and that more access to AP and IB coursework is part of a longer‑term strategy to raise proficiency.

Board members suggested reaching out to feeder districts for alignment and convening articulation groups in September; Norrell said she will report back to the committee in the spring and deliver interim updates.