
School Report Card Notification-e
Date

11/2/2023
Dear Zion Elementary School District 6 Community,
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has released the 2023 State Report Card, an academic report that shows how the state, each school, and each district are progressing on multiple indicators of student success. This report highlights both our strengths and areas for growth. Our schools’ report cards can be viewed at https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/District.aspx?districtid=34049006002. Our website also has a link to Illinois Report Cards, located at www.zion6.org under the District Information tab.
One component of the Report Card is the annual summative designation – a descriptor, or rating, of how well a school is meeting the needs of all students. This designation is based upon accountability indicators including academics, student success, school culture and climate, and financial investments. Both overall data as well as data for individual student groups is included.
This year, our schools’ summative designations include one Targeted (Elmwood Elementary), four Comprehensive (Beulah Park Elementary, Lakeview Elementary, West Elementary, Shiloh Park Middle School), and one Intensive (Zion Central Middle School). East Elementary did not meet the requirements to receive a designation rating for 2023.
Our Report Card is an opportunity to celebrate our strengths and reflect on our goals for continuous improvement so each student reaches their full potential. On our 2023 Report Card, we are proud to see:
- Consistent increase in English/Language Arts (ELA) proficiency rates since 2021 and a 186% gain from 2022, which indicates more of our students are gaining proficiency of state standards.
- English/Language Arts student growth remains at a steady rate. 7 of 9 student group populations (Black, 2 or More Races, IEP, Students with Disabilities, Students with IEPs, Homeless, Low Income, and English Learners) exhibited higher growth rates than the state student average.
- As of November 1, 2023 attendance rates are trending 2% higher than November 1, 2022.
While we can and should celebrate our successes, we also recognize the need for improvement. Our performance scores are not where we want them. Our 2023 Report Card identifies the many challenges that remain at our forefront towards our path to success.
- Rising homeless population rates; increased 29% since 2018, nearly double of state average.
- Climbing trend of student chronic absenteeism rates; 58% increase since 2018.
- Mobility rates 71.6% higher than state average; 2nd highest locally.
- English Learner enrollment increased 61% since 2018, more than double the state average.
- Math proficiency and growth rates declined across all grade levels since 2021.
- Teacher retention rates at 77%; lowest of neighboring districts.
- Programming adjustment to account for the demographic shift in student population over the last 5 years. Black population reduced by 25%, Hispanic population increased by 24%.
Though our schools’ improvement efforts did not meet our goals, we welcome this opportunity to embrace improvements and innovation, and build on the foundational work of our teachers and staff. We look forward to including parents, families, and community partners in our efforts. The new designations will provide additional funding and learning opportunities and expand our ability to embrace a more holistic approach to school improvement. Additional details will be shared within our Door To D6 print publication in the coming month.
Thank you for your continued partnership as we support your students in their educational journey. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us by contacting your child’s principal.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jim McKay & Dr. Lynette Zimmer
Interim Superintendents