DeKalb CUSD 428 today released its 2022 Illinois Report Card, which the Illinois State Board of Education prepares annually to provide a detailed look at each school’s progress in academics, student success, school culture and climate, and financial investments. The District notes that the 2022 report card mirrors its internal assessment data and that the significant investments in student instruction and wrap-around services are effectively addressing learning losses that affected students nationwide due to the pandemic. 

“The past two years caused significant disruptions for our students in all aspects of their lives,” said Minerva Garcia-Sanchez, Ed.D., DeKalb CUSD 428 superintendent. “How we deliver education and how it is received now is different. We must recognize that and be very intentional in identifying where students need the most support and then take action to address those specific needs. As a result, we can see key indicators that show our students are moving in the right direction. The strategic and targeted resources we are investing in are helping all of our students achieve greater success.”

Federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds are being used to implement additional academic instruction, along with bolstering supporting staff and professional development. Providing technology to students such as Chromebooks and Wi-Fi hot spots, summer academies, the Reading Intervention for Students to Excel (RISE)  literacy program, remote and online learning platforms, and dedicated math and language intervention periods are just some examples of how the district has built more robust educational offerings that address the changing and current needs of its students and families. The district has also invested in additional professional staff to support students such as social workers, school psychologists, advisors and a social and emotional coordinator. 

The District’s three-year strategic plan, which was launched in August of 2022, further defines specific student achievement goals and identifies tactics to achieve results through 2025. Four overarching strategic priorities guide the plan: Student Achievement, Community Engagement and Marketing, Financial Stability with Equity Lens, and Human Capital. To learn more, visit Dekalb CUSD 428 Strategic Plan.

This year’s report card also includes a new Annual Summative Designation for the first time since 2019, which is federally required. Summative designations are based on eight weighted indicators of academic performance, such as English Language Arts and Math growth and proficiency, English learner progress, chronic absenteeism, climate survey, and 9th-graders on track to graduate.

Six schools, including DeKalb High School, received Commendable designations. Clinton Rosette Middle School, Littlejohn, Tyler Malta, and Founders Elementary Schools all saw improvements in their designations. Five schools are noted in the Targeted Support destination, meaning that overall, the school is performing well, but there is room to improve how one or more individual student groups are served. Targeted schools receive additional federal grant funds to continue targeted improvement plans. No schools were designated as Comprehensive. 

DeKalb CUSD 429 Annual Summative Designation Summary Chart

View the complete Illinois Report Card data at www.illinoisreportcard.com.