Tuesday AM News: Scores are up, School official faces charges, Students and the Olympics

City grade schools shine on tests Tribune
After-school tutoring, better-trained teachers and new classroom assessments in Chicago public schools helped drive an "extraordinary" increase in state scores that improved the fortunes of nearly every city elementary school last year, district officials said.

Highest test scores go to Chicago schools Sun Times
Chicago public schools claimed eight of the top 10 spots on a new Chicago Sun-Times list of the highest-scoring middle-grade programs in Illinois, based on 2006 state test scores finally released today after months of technical problems.

Concepts not as simple as do-re-mi Tribune
Illinois children tested well on basics but struggled applying the learning to next level.

Why test scores went up Tribune
Illinois elementary school pupils passed the newly revamped state achievement exams at record rates last year, but critics suggest it was more the result of changes to the tests than real progress by pupils.

School official guilty in sex case Tribune
A former Oak Brook school official faces up to 3 years in prison after pleading guilty Monday to stealing school equipment and making obscene gestures to a student while exposing himself.

Love letters all about Chicago Tribune
As she dipped her brush into a gob of green acrylic paint, 3rd grader Taylor Wilson explained why the 2016 Olympics should be held in Chicago.

Comments

Both the Tribune article and the Sun Time article appeared to be based on the release of ISBE report card data for 2006. As of a few minutes ago it was not yet posted by ISBE. Does anyone know when it will go up?

[Stephanie Banchero]

The Tribune article was based on limited student-by-student data the state board gives to media outlets. The full Report Card will not, technically, be released until next Tuesday, March 13. I suspect the ISBE will post it at that time.

[Professional]

At last! CPS leadership acknowledges that the central office and the areas simply "disturb" learning in schools and lower test scores. Read the following email that was sent out today to all personnel:

Beginning Monday, March 12 through Friday, March 23, 2007 CPS elementary schools will administer the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) to students in grades 3-8. This is an extremely important test that will impact a student’s promotion status, a school’s accountability status and the District’s NCLB status.

It is vital that we ensure that we are supporting our elementary schools in preparation for this assessment window and respecting their need for minimal intrusion and distraction. To this end, starting today, I am requesting that all departments limit the amount of non-emergency meetings, calls, and visits with our elementary school staff and schools. It is essential that principals, assistant principals and teachers are in their schools and classes focused on instruction.

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Arne Duncan