2 'Bright Spots' For Elmhurst Elementary Test Scores

ELMHURST, IL – Two Elmhurst elementary schools are considered "bright spots" for beating the odds with their standardized test scores, an official said Tuesday.

They involved the third grade classes at Jefferson and Conrad Fischer elementary schools.

"These are two examples based on the very specific demographics for the students we serve here," Superintendent Keisha Campbell said at a school board meeting. "That is showing the continued efforts and work that are being put in place to support all of our learners. We are really proud of the impacts."

Based on its 6 percent low-income level, 52 percent of Jefferson's 63 third graders were expected to be proficient in reading. The actual rate was 88 percent, according to Elmhurst School District 205.

At Conrad Fischer, with a 64 percent low-income level, the district projected 24 percent of its 67 students to be reading proficient. The actual score was 33 percent.

It's long been a struggle for schools nationwide to increase test scores among low-income students.

But the media lately have noted dramatic improvement in Mississippi, the country's poorest state.

Last month, the Mississippi Independent reported that the state has moved from 49th in fourth grade reading scores in 2013 to the top 10 now. It is now above Illinois.

Mississippi launched an effort in 2013 to increase scores.