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Fox News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Illinois changes benchmarks that proved proficiency in math, English on standardized tests
Print Close By Joshua Nelson Published August 13, 2025 Illinois education officials on Wednesday approved changes to their cut scores — the benchmarks used to determine proficiency — used for state standardized tests. "Prior performance levels mislabeled many students in elementary and high school, often indicating that students were less academically successful and prepared for college than they actually were. The new, unified levels correct long-standing misalignment between Illinois' state assessments and other real college and career readiness expectations," the Illinois State Board of Education announced on Wednesday. The Board maintained that its learning standards and assessments have not changed. The new policy changes the score that proves proficiency in core subjects on each state assessment in order to "align it to college and career readiness expectations." During the school board meeting, Illinois State Superintendent Tony Sanders said the move is not a lowering of standards, but rather an adjustment that appropriately fits with the reality of student outcome patterns. ILLINOIS PARENTS WARY OF SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING LAW, POTENTIAL FOR 'OVERREACH' The decision stems from the Board's 18-month-long process of consulting with over 100 educators and other local higher education stakeholders to establish new proficiency benchmarks. The Board said that such benchmarks are based on analysis of "college and university course placement data and student probabilities of passing college coursework" and success data from Illinois colleges and universities. The Illinois Assessment of Readiness decreased its cut scores, while increasing the cut scores for the Illinois Science Assessment. According to ChalkBeat, data shared in a presentation on Tuesday indicates that more students will be labeled as "proficient" than in the previous year. "Under the new cut scores, 53% of students would be considered proficient in English language arts, up from 41% last year; 38% would be proficient in math, up from 28% last year; and 45% would be in science, down from last year," ChalkBeat reported. SAN FRANCISCO SCHOOL DISTRICT DITCHES PROPOSED 'GRADING FOR EQUITY' STRATEGY AFTER BACKLASH FROM COMMUNITY "Illinois' students are nationally recognized for their academic achievements, but our proficiency rates have not reflected that reality," Sanders said in a statement released by the board. Sanders added that the state's proficiency benchmarks mislabeled students, inhibiting qualified students from accessing opportunities for accelerations and giving students the impression that they were not ready for college when they actually were. "Illinois' new performance levels bring much-needed alignment between grade levels, subjects, and actual college and career readiness expectations," Sanders said. Representative Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights, claimed that the new benchmarks will benefit rural students, low-income students and students of color. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "These common-sense adjustments will align state testing benchmarks with college expectations and will particularly benefit rural students, low-income students, and students of color whose true capabilities and academic successes have not been reflected in our state's proficiency rates or in their own test results," Canty said. "I believe better data leads to better outcomes for all students. The Accelerated Placement Act can only achieve its goal of expanding access to advanced coursework and college preparation for all qualified students if we are using accurate measures of student achievement." Print Close URL
Fox News
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Cinco de Mayo parade canceled in Chicago due to fears over immigration enforcement
Print Close By Joshua Nelson Published April 14, 2025 Cinco de Mayo in Chicago will be canceled this year due to fears of strict immigration enforcement, a local organizer of the event said. The Cermak Road Chamber of Commerce, who announced on Thursday that they are canceling the event, reportedly said the Mexican community in Chicago is concerned about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). "Our people are scared," Hector Escobar, president of the Casa Puebla and Cermak Road Chamber of Commerce, said to a local ABC affiliate. Escobar went on to say, "See, some of them, they don't even want to go to work and some of them, they've taken a high risk. And, definitely, it's not much to celebrate." FRUSTRATED CHICAGO RESIDENTS FED UP WITH SPENDING ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, CALL FOR REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP Cinco de Mayo is held annually on the southwest side of Chicago, involving a parade with musical performances and activities celebrating Mexican culture. ICE conducted raids across the Windy City, targeting suspected criminal migrants' records, as well as arresting undocumented immigrants if they were caught at the raid sites. Soon after President Donald Trump was elected into office, ICE made hundreds of arrests of illegal immigrants, including those with criminal histories that include sexual assault, domestic violence and drugs and weapons crimes. CHICAGO ALDERMAN ACCUSES MAYOR JOHNSON OF ONLY LISTENING TO 'HYPER-LIBERAL WHITE PROGRESSIVES' ON IMMIGRATION Trump's border czar pick, Tom Homan, pledged to go after Chicago with strict enforcement, vowing to verify the status of asylum seekers and arrest anyone providing sanctuary to illegal immigrants. The incoming border czar also warned that Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson would be prosecuted should he obstruct ICE's mass deportation efforts . "Our community is very frightened because of the raids and the threat that ICE has imposed on the families that work tirelessly to provide a better future for their kids," Escobar said in a statement obtained by CBS. "Our community has faced bullying and prosecution and are not indulging in community activities, therefore we feel that there is nothing to celebrate." Escobar did not immediately respond to a request for comment. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Furthermore, Johnson and other sanctuary city-supporting mayors were pressed by federal lawmakers to explain their policies last month. Immigration has been a hot topic in the city after several residents blasted the mayor for his handling of the large influx of migrants that have come to the city over the past two years. Print Close URL
