CHICAGO (AP) - Over half of Illinois schools have improved in the second year of controversial state PARCC exams, and test participation rose statewide.
This year's state exam results were made public Monday in the annual Illinois Report Card, a conglomeration of data painting a wide picture of schools that includes a myriad of factors.
The percentage of students meeting or exceeding Illinois standards in math went from 28.2 percent in 2014-2015 to 30.5 percent in 2015-2016. The percentage of students meeting or exceeding state standards for English declined from 37.7 percent to 36.2 percent.
Resistance to testing continued in some wealthy suburban areas, Chicago Public Schools and other pockets around the state.
The state is ditching the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers in high schools next year. Third through eighth grades will continue to take the assessment.
