Post by title1parent on Aug 28, 2009 5:24:16 GMT -5
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=316619&src=76
Dist. 204 beaming over latest ACT results
By Justin Kmitch | Daily Herald 8/28/09
Indian Prairie Unit District 204's composite ACT have been on the rise for the past five years:
2005: 22.8
2006: 23.2
2007: 23.5
2008: 23.4
2009: 23.8
If standardized test results continue to be a bench mark for college success, most Indian Prairie Unit District 204 students appear to be well on their way.
The district's latest ACT results, released last week, show composite scores that increased to 23.8, up from last year's 23.4. The state average is 20.8.
Patrick Nolten, director of assessment, research and evaluation, called the increase an indicator of "continuous growth."
"Our current level of performance is indicative that our typical student is achieving at the 75th percentile," Nolten said. "That's exceptional and is a credit to the hard work of our district as kids progress through."
Overall, Nolten said district officials were pleased with the scores, especially because they've increased by a full point since 2005. Districtwide, every score increased over last year's as well.
The district's science scores showed the most dramatic increase, up to 22.8 from last year's 22.3. Reading and English scores both increased by four-tenths of a point and math scores increased by three-tenths of a point.
Nolten said the composite increases can be attributed to the district's ongoing review of the curriculum to ensure it is relative to state and ACT standards. The teachers also have taken a stake in the scores.
"Our instructors have undertaken the initiative to quantify what effective instruction translates into at the classroom level," Nolten said. "They're requiring the students to use a higher level of thinking."
Over time, Nolten said he expects scores to continue to rise as staff development increases to 31 hours this year with the late start Wednesday schedule adopted by the district.
Dist. 204 beaming over latest ACT results
By Justin Kmitch | Daily Herald 8/28/09
Indian Prairie Unit District 204's composite ACT have been on the rise for the past five years:
2005: 22.8
2006: 23.2
2007: 23.5
2008: 23.4
2009: 23.8
If standardized test results continue to be a bench mark for college success, most Indian Prairie Unit District 204 students appear to be well on their way.
The district's latest ACT results, released last week, show composite scores that increased to 23.8, up from last year's 23.4. The state average is 20.8.
Patrick Nolten, director of assessment, research and evaluation, called the increase an indicator of "continuous growth."
"Our current level of performance is indicative that our typical student is achieving at the 75th percentile," Nolten said. "That's exceptional and is a credit to the hard work of our district as kids progress through."
Overall, Nolten said district officials were pleased with the scores, especially because they've increased by a full point since 2005. Districtwide, every score increased over last year's as well.
The district's science scores showed the most dramatic increase, up to 22.8 from last year's 22.3. Reading and English scores both increased by four-tenths of a point and math scores increased by three-tenths of a point.
Nolten said the composite increases can be attributed to the district's ongoing review of the curriculum to ensure it is relative to state and ACT standards. The teachers also have taken a stake in the scores.
"Our instructors have undertaken the initiative to quantify what effective instruction translates into at the classroom level," Nolten said. "They're requiring the students to use a higher level of thinking."
Over time, Nolten said he expects scores to continue to rise as staff development increases to 31 hours this year with the late start Wednesday schedule adopted by the district.