Decatur's public schools are an integral element in the quality of life in Decatur. More importantly it is immensely significant economically to our community because it is the principal source of skills for potential new workers in Decatur.
Keep in mind that most test scores (Not ACT) measure the percentage of kids that can demonstrate proficiency in reading, math and science at the level established by educators in Illinois. The percentage is of those students that "meet or exeed" the expected knowledge requirement. It is the goal in Illinois that ALL (100%) public school students at least meet the knowledge standards.
For the good and bad news continue reading -
Good News:
- High schools students demonstrated proficiency on the ACT (college entrance exam - taken by all students) at nearly the average of all students in IL.
- Math and reading scores for eighth grade students improved dramatically over the last 4 years. Students demonstrating math proficiency nearly doubled.
- Many grade level proficiency measures are holding ground and not declining.
Bad News:
- The PSAE test administered to high school juniors shows that an alarming level of high school students are not demonstrating proficiency in math & reading. In 2007, the test results showed that only 42% of students met expectations for reading skills and only 33% met expecations for math skills. The average state wide was 54% and 53%, respectively for each of these.
- Many grade levels (except 8th grade) are showing only modest changes or improvements in test scores. Modest improvements on a year to year basis are welcome as long as they continue.
- The ratio of students qualifying for lunch financial assistance is considerably greater than the average in the state (64% vs 37%). This can be an indicator of a higher ratio of students requiring additional educational support to meet standards.
- The student / teacher ratio remains higher than the state average (Decatur 21; State 16).
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