2008 Highlights
The 2008 Honor Roll recognizes 989 schools with 1040 awards. Unlike the previous five years, when numbers of awards increased in all categories, the 2008 awards feature a sharp increase in Academic Excellence awards and a decline in the Academic Improvement awards. The number of Spotlight Schools remained steady. The awards criteria have been constant since 2005, and no major changes occurred this year in the state tests or their scoring.
Two significant Honor Roll trends continued in 2008. First, 89 awards are being presented for the fifth or sixth year to Spotlight and Academic Excellence schools. Second, schools that appear on the Honor Roll year after year continue to improve their test scores. The progress of these schools exemplifies the possibilities for improvement at every level. Good old-fashioned hard work by students, teachers, parents, and communities contribute to ongoing recognition for their schools’ achievements.
Total Numbers
In 2008, a total of 3952 schools were tested by the Illinois State Board of Education. The number of award winning schools represents 25% of all schools tested.
School Types
Charter Schools - 9
| CHICAGO MATH & SCI ELEM CHARTER | CHICAGO | CHOIR ELEM CHARTER ACADEMY | CHICAGO |
| KIPP ASCEND ELEM CHARTER SCHOOL | CHICAGO | LEARN ELEM CHARTER SCHOOL | CHICAGO |
| LOCKE ELEMENTARY CHARTER ACADEMY | CHICAGO | NAMASTE ELEM CHARTER SCHOOL | CHICAGO |
| PASSAGES ELEM CHARTER SCHOOL | CHICAGO | PRAIRIE CROSSING CHARTER SCHOOL | GRAYSLAKE |
| ROBERTSON CHARTER SCHOOL | DECATUR |
Geographic Distribution of 989 schools
Test Scores and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)
To determine eligibility for awards, the Illinois Honor Roll uses composite scores of subjects that count for determining Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). Currently, the subjects are reading and mathematics.
All schools winning the Spotlight Schools and Academic Excellence Awards made AYP in 2008. Although making AYP was not a criterion for the Academic Improvement Awards, 72% of those schools did make AYP.
Repeat Awards - Sustaining Exemplary Performance
Nine Spotlight Schools are receiving a sixth award this year, having maintained high level performance since the award began in 2003, and 38 schools earned the award for a fifth straight year.
Sustaining 7.5% performance improvements year after year can be done! In 2008, 24 schools won the Academic Improvement Award for a third time, and 39 schools won the award in both 2007 and 2008.
41 Academic Excellence schools sustained their long-term high achievement and won a fifth award in 2008. 43 schools are being recognized for the fourth time (2005–2008) and 27 for the second time (2006–2008).
Test Score Trends - Scores are Good and Getting Better
- 334 of 499 Spotlight Schools (67%) showed increases in test scores over last year.
- At all 153 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.
- 8 Academic Improvement Award schools raised scores by more than 30 percentage points over two years.
- 236 Academic Excellence elementary schools showed increases in scores over last year, even though they started at a baseline above 90% of students meeting or exceeding standards.
Double Awards
This year, seven schools won both the Spotlight Schools award and the Academic Excellence Award. Two are Chicago high schools, Jones College Preparatory and Lane Technical High School. Five elementary schools earned both awards: Arcadia Elementary School (Olympia Fields), Chatsworth Grade School (Chatsworth), Union Elementary School (Belleville), LE Stark Primary School (Pekin), Neponset Elementary School (Neponset).
44 schools won both the Spotlight Schools award and the Academic Improvement Award.
Top Ten Award-Winning Districts
| District | Awards | Winning Schools | Total District Schools |
|---|---|---|---|
City of Chicago 299 |
181 |
169 |
576 |
Indian Prairie 204 |
18 |
18 |
29 |
Decatur 61 |
17 |
13 |
20 |
Naperville 203 |
15 |
15 |
21 |
Springfield 186 |
15 |
13 |
31 |
East St. Louis 189 |
14 |
13 |
19 |
Dolton 148 |
11 |
07 |
10 |
Elgin 46 |
10 |
10 |
55 |
St. Charles 303 |
11 |
11 |
17 |
Wheaton 200 |
11 |
11 |
19 |