Vice Chair of the Board Dr. Donna S. Leak (2023) | Illinois State Board of education
Vice Chair of the Board Dr. Donna S. Leak (2023) | Illinois State Board of education
That's according to a East Central Reporter analysis of test score data compiled by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
ISBE reports that last year, 47.9% of Douglas County's 1,127 public high school students failed the ELA portion of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and have "minimal (or) incomplete… understanding of the knowledge and skills relative to Illinois Learning Standards."
Students can achieve four proficiencies in their subjects (partially met, approaching, meets, and exceeds standards). This report concludes students who partially met or approached the standards have failed in the subject.
Villa Grove Junior High School (62.2%), Arcola Elementary School (53.2%) and Arcola High School (50%) had the highest failure rates in Douglas County. Meanwhile, Villa Grove Elementary School (44.1%) and East Prairie Middle School (40.2%) had the lowest.
Of seven Douglas County high schools, four, including Arthur Grade School, North Ward Elementary School, and Villa Grove Elementary School had passing rates of more than 50%.
Countywide, English test failure rates fell from 53.6% in 2021 to 47.9% in 2023.
The failure rate rose in two Douglas County high schools in 2023, with the most significant increase happening at Villa Grove Junior High School (62.2%).
Data shows that the highest failure rates growths were seen in Christian County (72.5%), Hancock County (73.8%), Cook County (74.1%), White County (74.1%), and Morgan County (76.7%).
Arcola High School, North Ward Elementary School, Villa Grove Elementary School, and East Prairie Middle School were the Douglas County high schools to see improvements between 2021 and 2023.
Statewide, 39.9% of Illinois students failed the 2023 state English exam, down from 64% in 2019.
The SAT test is administered to Illinois high school sophomores "to fulfill the requirement that students take an assessment for college and career readiness in order to receive a regular high school diploma."
| High School | # of Students | Failing % in 2021 | Failing % in 2022 | Failing % in 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Villa Grove Junior High School | 106 | 47.7% | 57.6% | 62.2% |
| Arcola Elementary School | 186 | 52% | 54.6% | 53.2% |
| Arcola High School | 90 | 60.2% | 54% | 50% |
| Arthur Grade School | 176 | 44.3% | 48% | 48.9% |
| North Ward Elementary School | 127 | 53.6% | 48.9% | 47.3% |
| Villa Grove Elementary School | 161 | 59.8% | 48.5% | 44.1% |
| East Prairie Middle School | 281 | 57% | 49.1% | 40.2% |
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