Sangamon Sun

The 2015 standardized test scores for most of Springfield SD 186’s elementary schools were below average despite the school district spending the most per student in Sangamon County, according to a report recently released by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

The ISBE report found that of the nine elementary schools operated by Springfield SD 186, eight scored below the average passage rate in the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) exam.

Springfield SD 186’s average passage rate was 26 percent compared to the county’s average PARCC passage rate of 32 percent. The school district spent $12,704 per student – the average spent in Sangamon County elementary schools was $11,769 per student.

Elementary schools operated by Springfield SD 186 reporting below-average passage rates were: Butler Elementary School (22 percent); DuBois Elementary School (22 percent); Blackhawk Elementary School (20 percent); Southern View Elementary School (20 percent); Elizabeth Graham Elementary School (19 percent); Matheny-Withrow Elementary School (16 percent); McClernand (15 percent) and Harvard Park Elementary School (11 percent).

Scoring significantly above the average passage rate was Springfield SD 186’s Iles Elementary School, reporting the highest passage rate in Sangamon County -- 91 percent.

Ball Chatham CUSD 5, on the other hand, reported above-average passage rates despite below-average spending per student. The school district’s Glenwood Elementary School and Chatham Elementary School posted passage rates of 54 percent and 52 percent, respectively, while the district spent $9,330 per student.

Students at Williamsville CUSD 15’s Sherman Elementary School also scored above average (42 percent) despite the district spending $8,227 per student – more than $3,000 less than the average spent in elementary schools in Sangamon County.

Middle Schools

Half of the middle schools in Springfield SD 186 scored below the average passage rate despite the school district receiving above-average funding per student -- $12,704. The average passage rate for Sangamon County was 30 percent, and the average spent per student was $11,809.

Middle schools operated by Springfield SD 186 reporting below-average passage rates were Jefferson Middle School (10 percent) and Washington Middle School (7 percent).

Springfield SD 186-operated schools scoring above the average passage rate were Lincoln Magnet School (55 percent) and Benjamin Franklin Middle School (40 percent).

Despite spending the least amount per student countywide ($8,227), Williamsville CUSD 15’s Williamsville Jr. High School scored above the county average with a 38 percent passage rate.

High Schools

Springfield SD 186’s Springfield Learning Academy and Springfield Southeast High School scored below the average passage rate despite the school district receiving above-average funding per student -- $12,704.

The average passage rate for Sangamon County high schools was 27 percent, and the average spent per student was $11,809. Springfield Learning Academy and Springfield Southeast High School reported passage rates of 4 percent and 15 percent, respectively.

Springfield SD 186’s Springfield High School scored above the average with a 39 percent passage rate.

Ball Chatham CUSD 5’s Glenwood High school reported a below-average passage rate of 15 and below-average spending per student at $9,330.

In contrast, Williamsville CUSD 15’s Williamsville High School reported an above-average passage rate of 58 percent – the highest among high schools in the county, despite spending only $8,227 per student – far below the $11,809 average countywide. 

The PARCC test is a standardized exam used in several states to evaluate schools and student performance. Illinois began using PARCC tests to assess its students in 2015.