West Chicago Community High School officials were excited Feb. 28 to announce the school met federal standards set forth by the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

The state-issued school report card, which is used to judge adequate yearly progress, is based on results from standardized test results administered by the Illinois State Board of Education. The district had to meet a minimum of 47.5 percent of the students meeting or exceeding state expectations. District 94 Superintendent Leroy Rieck said this year 61.2 percent of students met or exceeded goals.

Rieck said for the second year in a row the school met what the act defines as adequate yearly progress for improving the test scores of its students.

Various subgroups are considered in the school’s total score, including bilingual students who are still learning English, special education and economically disadvantaged students. Of these subgroups, Rieck said there was a 10-percent improvement from last year’s test results.

The continued improvement is the result of efforts by staff, students and parents, Rieck said.

“The staff has worked to adapt our curriculum to the state standards, diligently developed test questions in their curriculum that are similar to the state tests and went for training at seminars,” he said. “They really have been dedicated and deserve much credit.”

During the process, he said the district made parents aware of the importance of the tests and they have become more supportive.

Board President Tony Reyes agreed.

“Our school has taken the AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress test) seriously from the beginning,” he said. “This is exciting for all of us to accomplish two years in a row, demonstrating our commitment. The students have moved forward in all categories and it has involved hard work on the part of the faculty and administration. We count it as a major accomplishment.”

An added incentive for students to succeed with is that seniors are exempt from taking finals and have the chance to receive donated iPods, TV sets and personal stereos in a drawing to be held.

Even with the incentives, Reyes said, “it shows that the students cared and worked hard toward this goal. It was a community effort.”