Kankakee Times

At Limestone Middle School, a 10.6-point achievement gap persisted between low income and non low income students in 2017, according to end-of-year assessments reported in the latest Illinois schools report card. The achievement gap shows an 5.9-point improvement in scores between low income and non low income students. Of the 492 students enrolled in 2017, 17.7 percent were low income or about 87 students.

The achievement gap measures how one group of students academically outperforms another. The Illinois State Board of Education collects data on the persistent gap between groups by race and ethnicity, income level and gender.

The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, or PARCC, is administered to third- through eighth-graders in Illinois, testing them in reading and math based on Common Core standards. A composite score combines the results of the subject tests.

According to Limestone Middle School composite scores for 2017, 31.8 percent of low income students passed the tests. Meanwhile, 42.3 percent of non low income students passed.

Students who passed either met or exceeded expectations and are considered prepared for the next grade level, college or work. Students who failed either partially met, approached or did not meet expectations.

The achievement gap is larger for English language arts scores and smaller for math scores.

There is a 12.4-point gap between low income and non low income students English language arts scores in 2017 a 12.3 point improvement since 2016. In 2017, 36.6 percent of low income students passed the reading subject test. Meanwhile, 49.0 percent of non low income students passed.

There was a 15.5-point gap between low income and non low income student math scores in 2017: 26.8 percent of low income students passed while 42.3 percent of non low income students passed.

Limestone Middle School's income level achievement gap over 3 years