Nearly 200 schools recognized for academic excellence and improvement on 2013 Illinois Honor Roll

Annual list shows continued and improved academic achievement as state moves toward new accountability system in 2014

SPRINGFIELD, IL — The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced that 177 schools made the 2013 Illinois Honor Roll for their continued academic progress or excellence. The state’s annual recognition program, based on the previous spring’s state standardized tests and demographic information, shows a dozen schools that are being recognized for the 10th or 11^th consecutive year. All of these outstanding schools are being honored for their accomplishments in making progress toward or maintaining academic excellence.

“These Honor Roll schools once again show us that rigorous standards, great teachers and persistence are key to improved student performance,” said State Board of Education Chairman Gery J. Chico. “We raised our expectations in 2013 but these 177 schools accepted the challenge. Many more will meet these new more rigorous expectations and better prepare students for college and careers.”

The State Board establishes criteria, identifies winners of the awards and administers the Illinois Honor Roll, which is divided into three categories – Spotlight Schools, Academic Excellence and Academic Improvement. Each award has unique criteria that best reflect the diverse circumstances of Illinois schools.

• Spotlight Schools – Recognizes 37 high-poverty, high-performing schools that are beating the odds by overcoming the achievement gap.
• Academic Excellence Awards – 23 schools have sustained high performance over at least three years.
• Academic Improvement Awards – 125 schools are showing substantial improvement.

The 2013 Illinois Honor Roll roster includes elementary, middle and high schools, including charter schools, and represents 99 public school districts statewide. Downstate schools represent 47 percent of the Honor Roll schools, suburban schools represent 15 percent and Chicago schools make up the final 38 percent this year. The schools earned a total of 185 awards in the three categories.

The following districts earned the most awards:

Other 2013 Illinois Honor Roll facts:

· At all 125 Academic Improvement Award schools, the number of students meeting or exceeding standards increased by at least 7.5 points over one year or 15 points over two years.

· One school, Gregory Elementary School in Chicago, won the Academic Improvement Award, sustaining annual 7.5 improvements, for the fifth year. Six schools won the Academic Improvement Award for the fourth time.

· Two Spotlight School are receiving their 10th award this year, having maintained high level performance since 2004. Another three schools earned the award for the ninth year, and seven schools earned the award for the eighth year.

· Jones College Prep in Chicago has won an 11th consecutive award under the program in either the Spotlight or Academic Excellence category. In 2013, Jones earned an Academic Excellence Award.

In 2013, eight Academic Excellence schools sustained their long-term high achievement and won a tenth award, another eight schools are being recognized for the ninth time and one school for the eighth time.

· In 2013, eight Academic Excellence schools showed increases in scores from last year, even though they started at a baseline above 90 percent of students meeting or exceeding standards.

· This year, eight schools won both the Spotlight Schools award and the Academic Improvement Award. Here is a list of those winners:

A complete listing of the 2013 Illinois Honor Roll Schools can be found online at http://www.ilhonorroll.niu.edu.