The latest state test scores posted by St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 students reflect more than academic success.

They also show progress in the schools’ academic programs for English as a second language students.

In 2007-08, English as a second language students were required to take the Illinois Standards Achievement Test for the first time after previously taking the Illinois Measure of Annual Growth in English Exam. The ISAT is entirely in English and considered more challenging. Despite the change, 89 percent of district students from kindergarten through grade 12 met or exceeded state standards, matching last year’s mark.

Statewide, 79 percent of students met or exceeded state standards.

“We maintained the same high level we usually had even though the state changed administration of the test,” said Mark Pomplun, District 303 director of assessment and accountability.

Limited English proficiency students in the district have increased from 148 in 2003 to 275 in 2008.

The more difficult ISAT test brought the district to only 55.1 percent of ESL students meeting the standards set by the No Child Left Behind law. That is down from 74 percent in 2006-07 when students took the Illinois Measure of Annual Growth in English Exam.

District 303’s superintendent said that too much importance should not be placed on the test scores.
“We try not to put too much emphasis on whether they’re going up or going down,” Superintendent Don Schlomann said.

“The most important thing for us is that our community is happy with the School District and that our students are able to go on to where they want to be: in their college or university or into workforce.”