SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois' latest standardized test results show that the achievement gap among elementary school students is narrowing, largely because of gains among black, special education and low-income students, the Illinois State Board of Education announced Monday. The board also said that nine schools flagged for improvement under the decade-old federal No Child Left Behind Act were taken off that status because they made adequate yearly progress for two years in a row. The improvement came even as the state's proficiency benchmarks rose 7.5 percent over the past two years. "Our students have shown steady, incremental improvement, and we know that represents solid progress," said Christopher Koch, the state's education chief. The state board reported that over time, the achievement gap between white and black students has narrowed by 11.4 percent in math and 7.9 percent in reading. Since 2006, black students have posted a 14.3 percent increase in meeting and exceeding proficiency in math and a 13 percent increase in reading on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test. Hispanic students also have upped their proficiency on the statewide test, improving by 4.7 percent in math and 5.2 percent in reading. The improvements come as the number of minority students in Illinois' public schools continues to climb, from 36.7 percent of students in 1997 to 48.6 percent this year. During that span, the population of the state's low income students rose from 35.7 percent to 48.1 percent. Among special-education students, the achievement gap between students with an Individual Education Program and those without it narrowed. The number of participants meeting and exceeding proficiency increased by 7.6 percent in math and 7 percent in reading over the past five years. During that time, the number of low-income students meeting and bettering proficiency on the ISAT has risen by 10.8 percent in math and 10.4 percent in reading. Monday's announcement comes as the state works on an application for a waiver from certain requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act. The state board announced the plan earlier this month, noting that Illinois was falling behind in meeting the increasingly strict performance targets set by the federal law. President Barack Obama announced in September that states would be allowed to ask the U.S. Department of Education to be exempted from some of the law's requirements under certain conditions, such as enacting standards to prepare students for college and careers and making teachers and principals more accountable. The federal law passed in 2001 with widespread bipartisan support and much fanfare. It sought to hold schools more accountable for student performance and get better qualified teachers in classrooms while offering school choice and extra tutoring to students attending schools deemed failing. The Obama administration said it was offering the waivers because Congress has been slow to address various problems of the law. - http://goo.gl/bjdQ5
Monday, October 31, 2011
Two Injured in Schwartz Road Crash Southeast of Centralia
Two people were injured in a two vehicle crash in the 900 block of Schwartz Road southeast of Centralia Sunday afternoon. Marion County Sheriff's Deputies say 49-year-old Mary Tullis of East Noleman in Centralia rounded a sharp curve in the Schwartz Road and struck another vehicle driven by 57-year-old Jami Elmore of Mills Road in Walnut Hill nearly head on. Tullis was taken to St. Mary's Hospital in Centralia by ambulance, while Elmore went to the hospital on her own. Tullis was ticketed for improper lane usage. Deputies say an Ameritech phone box was damaged in the wreck. The call came in at 1:57 Sunday afternoon. - http://goo.gl/a4Unb
Centralia Man Arrested On Arson and Domestic Battery Charges
A 34-year-old Centralia man is in custody at the Marion County Jail for alleged arson and domestic battery. Melvin Creps of South Pine was arrested a short time after allegedly breaking into the home of Jennifer Creps on Jefferson Avenue in Junction City and trying to set the house on fire. Initial reports indicate the fire went out quickly, but Sandoval Firemen were called to check out the situation. Jennifer Creps reportedly received minor burns to her hands, but refused hospital treatment. Based on a vehicle description provided by Jennifer, deputies stopped a vehicle in which Melvin was a passenger in Central City. Creps reportedly had melted red candle wax on his sweatshirt and small cuts on his hand. The driver of the vehicle, Rose Eagan of Central City, confirmed she had earlier stopped at Jennifer's home and let Melvin out of the vehicle. Eagan said she did not get out, but did hear Jennifer scream before Melvin got back into the truck. Eagan was not charged. Another passenger, 36-year-old Matthew Bounds of Richmond Heights Mobile Home Park in Central City, was arrested on an outstanding Marion County Small Claims Warrant. He later was released after posting $150 bond. - http://goo.gl/5bS04
Marion County Police Beat for Monday, October 31st, 2011
Salem Police arrested two people for possession of a stolen vehicle. Police say 19-year-old Carl William Smith of Leavenworth, Indiana and 17-year-old Kaylee Drury of Hardinsburg, Illinois were apprehended after the car taken without permission from Indiana was located on the North Hotze Road. Police had been tipped off by Indiana Police on the approximate location of the vehicle. Smith remains in the Marion County Jail, while Drury was released on a notice to appear in court. A 32-year-old Odin man has been arrested for alleged criminal trespass to railroad property and theft of railroad property. Marion County Sheriff's Deputies say Eric See of Ticklen Road was picking up railroad spikes and other materials from along the Union Pacific Railroad Tracks near the crossing at Cartter Road when he was questioned. See reportedly admitted collected a half pickup truck load of metal from along the tracks, but didn't think he needed permission since the materials had been left behind by track crews. Marion County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 44-year-old Derrick Prior of Metcalf Road in Iuka for driving under the influence. Prior was initially stopped for speeding early Monday morning. - http://goo.gl/7r0bg