Vice Chair of the Board Dr. Donna S. Leak (2023) | Illinois State Board of education
Vice Chair of the Board Dr. Donna S. Leak (2023) | Illinois State Board of education
That's according to a SW Illinois News analysis of test score data compiled by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
ISBE reports that last year, 52.3% of Randolph County's 1,584 public high school students failed the ELA portion of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and have "minimal (or) incomplete… understanding of the knowledge and skills relative to Illinois Learning Standards."
Students can achieve four proficiencies in their subjects (partially met, approaching, meets, and exceeds standards). This report concludes students who partially met or approached the standards have failed in the subject.
Sparta Lincoln School (61.2%), Coulterville Elementary School (55%) and Steeleville Elementary School (52.1%) had the highest failure rates in Randolph County. Meanwhile, Evansville Attendance Center (45.4%) and Coulterville Junior High School (45.3%) had the lowest.
Of eight Randolph County high schools, five, including Red Bud Elementary School, Chester Elementary School, and Prairie Du Rocher Elementary School had passing rates of more than 50%.
Countywide, English test failure rates rose from 52.2% in 2021 to 52.3% in 2023.
The failure rate rose in two Randolph County high schools in 2023, with the most significant increase happening at Sparta Lincoln School (61.2%).
Data shows that the highest failure rates growths were seen in Christian County (72.5%), Hancock County (73.8%), Cook County (74.1%), White County (74.1%), and Morgan County (76.7%).
Red Bud Elementary School and Coulterville Junior High School were the Randolph County high schools to see improvements between 2021 and 2023.
Statewide, 39.9% of Illinois students failed the 2023 state English exam, down from 64% in 2019.
The SAT test is administered to Illinois high school sophomores "to fulfill the requirement that students take an assessment for college and career readiness in order to receive a regular high school diploma."
| High School | # of Students | Failing % in 2021 | Failing % in 2022 | Failing % in 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sparta Lincoln School | 417 | 56.9% | 51.1% | 61.2% |
| Coulterville Elementary School | 40 | 51.2% | 57.7% | 55% |
| Steeleville Elementary School | 171 | 55.9% | 51.8% | 52.1% |
| Red Bud Elementary School | 376 | 50.2% | 49.4% | 49% |
| Chester Elementary School | 363 | 48.3% | 50% | 48.7% |
| Prairie Du Rocher Elementary School | 78 | 46.6% | 54.4% | 48.7% |
| Evansville Attendance Center | 86 | 50% | 53.1% | 45.4% |
| Coulterville Junior High School | 53 | 58.5% | 50% | 45.3% |
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