Educators' Accolades

Changes to IGAP Testing at the Elementary Level

West 40 is pleased to salute these educators from Lyons Township High School:

Division Chair for Global Studies Dr. Sy Karlin was recently elected President of the National Social Studies Supervisors Association at its annual conference in Washington, D.C

Math teacher Suzanne Rzcpka was named president-elect of the Metropolitan Math Club of Chicago, the # 1 affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. The club meets once a month and presents speakers from around the world on a variety of math and education topics.

Educators, fax us your accomplishments, and we'll print them in future issues: 708/447-6732, ATTN: Gretchen Alexander, "Westwinds Accolades."

The ISBE proposal retains testing in reading, writing, math, and science in grades three and eight, but recommends that the current sixth grade testing in these areas be moved to fifth grade. It also recommends continuation of science and social science testing in grades four and seven. The proposal calls for evaluation in the areas of PD/Health and Fine Arts in grades four and seven and for this assessment to be done at the state and/or local level through census or sampling. It also recommends testing in foreign language at the fourth and sixth grade level as an option.

Academic Early Warning System/ Watch List

When schools do not meet standards, an academic early warning system will alert schools and communities to that fact. Continued poor performance will result in placement on an Academic Watch List. Schools on these lists will be provided with support by the opportunity to participate in quality assurance external visits, funding, waivers, technical assistance and other improvement strategies.

The Prairie State Achievement Exams (PSAE)

This exam will credential students' achievement of the state academic standards. At the high school level all students will take the Prairie State Achievement Examination (PSAE) prior to or in grade 12. Reading, writing and mathematics can be initiated at grade 10. Science, social science, physical development/health and fine arts can be initiated at grade 11. Attainment of defined achievement lev~ls in each subject will result in endorsements on liplomas and transcripts. ~tudents may retake se~ected exams to demon,trate improved learning ~nd performance. Other ~ndorse,ments to recognize xcellence co~ t~ ~de ~vailable to students,- such ~s assessments in work?lace skills, foreign lan~uages, or national/ nternational exams. This nhanced assessment pro~ram will allow students o document attainment of igh standards. Higher in;titutions of learning or mployers can use the re,ults of the Prairie State 3xams to assure that students are well prepared for further education or employment.

For further information, please contact the ISBE at 217/524-7618. Information is also available via the nternet at http// www.isbe.state.il.us/ homepage.html under News Releases.