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Peoria Public Schools Gets Higher Marks in This Year's Illinois Report Card

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Peoria Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat said the 2019 School Report Card from the Illinois State Board of Education is good news for the district. 

She said it’s exciting that Kellar Primary School was ranked as Exemplary, the highest possible designation. Thomas Jefferson and Whittier moved up to commendable; and Calvin Coolidge is now underperforming, a step up from lowest performing. 

“Principals are working hard. Our teachers are working very hard. The new designation, I think, will fare well for our kids," Desmoulin-Kherat said. "I can’t wait to see the improvement for next year. I’m betting that we’ll have more buildings in the exemplary category.” 

No school in the district was downgraded in this year’s report card. 

Kherat says programs like the D2 partnership with Illinois Central College, combined with the state’s new evidence-based school funding formula that’s funneling more money into the district, are making a real impact. 

“Two-thirds of our buildings, or 66 percent, saw growth and improvement. I would like to see more, and I believe we can do more, so there’s some work to be done. But the story’s very, very good. We’re headed in the right direction," she said. 

Click here to look up Illinois Report Card results. This year's report card breaks down per-pupil spending at the school level for the first time. 

Tim is the News Director at WCBU Peoria Public Radio.