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School district performs well on state tests  Share
With the exception of its high school math scores, Beecher Community School District 200U passed state achievement tests with flying colors. The high school just missed meeting state standards by less than a percentage point. Superintendent George Obradovich discussed the 2009 state school report card at the school board's Oct. 14 meeting. The No Child Left Behind Act requires schools to meet minimum state requirements, which continue to rise each year. In 2009, the state required that 70 percent of students meet or exceed state standards. At the elementary level, more than 94 percent of all students in grades three, four and five met or exceeded the state average in math; 88 percent of all students in grades three, four and five met or exceeded the state average in reading, and 98 percent of all students in grade four met or exceeded the state average in science. ''We are very pleased with their performance,'' said Elementary Principal Linda Goedke.
She said scores in math remain particularly high and overall Illinois State Achievement Test (ISAT) scores in reading increased by six percent since 2007. Fifth grade writing scores improved 11 percent over the previous year. Goedke also noted that even more students are not merely meeting goals, but exceeding them. For example, only 28 percent of third graders exceeded state requirements in reading in 2008, compared to 42 percent in 2009. For fourth graders, the number of students exceeding goals in reading increased from 25 percent in 2008 to 31 percent in 2009. She said goals for the elementary school include improving reading comprehension and fluency for a variety of reading purposes and improving the effectiveness of written communication skills. At the junior high level, 94 percent of all students in grades six, seven and eight met or exceeded the state average in reading; 91 percent of all students in grades six, seven and eight met or exceeded the state average in math; and 92 percent of all students in grade seven met or exceeded the state average in science. In the upcoming year, Junior High School Principal John Jennings said the school's goal is to have 93 percent of students at the junior high meet or exceed state standards in reading and math on the ISAT. The junior high will also continue to improve writing scores. The high school met state standards in every area but math. Test results show that only 61.6 percent of students met or exceeded standards in math. However, the state also considers other factors, such as the number of special education students. With these other factors considered, the percentage rose to 69.5 percent, less than a percentage point from the required 70 percent. Since the high school did not make adequate progress in math, Principal Brian Wright said he will attend a mandatory meeting on Oct. 23 with the state to discuss mandatory staff development. After this meeting, he intends to work with staff to present an improvement plan for the school. He said there may also be additional state funding available. Obradovich told that he had been approached by Art Van Baron, owner of Dutch American Foods in Beecher, concerning possible tax relief for a proposed expansion of his facility. The business covers 80,000-square-feet and Van Baron would like to expand it by 35,000 to 40,000-square-feet. Obradovich said Van Baron has invited all local taxing bodies to tour the facility on Nov. 7 at 9 a.m. and was willing to attend the next board meeting to discuss the project. He expects the expansion to increase his workforce by approximately 30 new employees. Village Mayor Paul Lohman and Village Administrator Bob Barber were both present at the board meeting and advised the board to request that Van Baron attend the joint taxing body meeting, which will be held on January 29. In another matter, the board agreed to place a plaque in the junior high gymnasium, recognizing the achievements of Grant Nykaska, now a freshman at the high school. In the 2008/2009 school year, the then eighth grader was the Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) cross country state champion in the fall and won first place in the 1,600-meter race in the spring. The plaque will be placed below the scoreboard on the east wall of the junior high gymnasium. Lynn Dill is a reporter for Russell Publications.
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