State Report Card Is In: See How Oswego Schools Rank

ISAT scores slip

Looking at the composite score for both reading and math, Oswego School District 308 showed 72 percent of of its students met or exceeded standards on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test in 2013, while an average of 59 percent met that same benchmark statewide, according to the Illinois State Report Card website. 

Like many schools throughout the state, District 308 saw a significant drop in its scores from 2012 as part of the state board's move to raise expectations — or cut scores — for the ISATs, which is given to third- through eighth-grade students. 

The move was meant to help "align with the more rigorous Common Core Learning Standards and give a better indication of college and career readiness," according to a Illinois State Board of Education press release. 

In reading, 69 percent of District 308 students met learning expectations, down from 88 percent last year. Likewise, 75 percent of students met learning expectations for math, down from 93 percent last year. 

Statewide, the composite for elementary students meeting and exceeding standards on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) dropped, going from 82.1 in 2012 to 61.9 in 2013, if science is included.

PSAE scores increase

The scoring on the Prairie State Achievement Exam, which is given to 11th graders, did not change this year and statewide, District 308's composite score for reading and math increased to 60 percent meeting or exceeding standards — up from 54 percent in 2012. The statewide average was 53 percent this year.

College ready?

A new metric, “Ready for College Coursework,” on the Illinois State Report Card refers to the percent of students at each high school who earned a combined score of at least a 21 on the ACT college admissions test. Statewide, 45.7 percent of Illinois public school students from the Graduating Class of 2013 posted at least a 21 on the ACT.

Within District 308, 50 percent were listed as "ready for college coursework."