NEWS
For Immediate Release
Thursday, April 30 2009
State Superintendent celebrates success of 19 Illinois Honor Roll Schools in Barrington and Elgin
Annual list recognizes improving and high-performing schools across the state
BARRINGTON – Illinois State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch recognized 19 Barrington and Elgin Schools today for being named to the 2008 Illinois Honor Roll.
“Making the Illinois Honor Roll represents the hard work and dedication put forth in the classroom and at home everyday,’’ said Superintendent Koch. “It is an achievement that principals, teachers, parents and students should celebrate together.’’
Nine Barrington Community Unit School District 220 schools were honored at a 10:45 a.m. all-school assembly at Countryside Elementary School. Ten Elgin U-46 Schools were honored at 1:45 p.m. at Abbott Middle School.
The 2008 Illinois Honor Roll includes 989 schools that are being recognized for their continued academic progress. The honor roll is divided into three categories – Spotlight Schools; Academic Excellence and Academic Improvement. Each award has unique criteria that best reflect the diverse circumstances of Illinois schools.
- Spotlight Schools – Recognizes 499 high-poverty, high-performing schools in 2008 that are beating the odds to overcome the achievement gap. At least 50 percent of students in these schools are from low-income families and at least 62.5 percent of students met or exceeded standards in both reading and mathematics.
- Academic Improvement Awards – Notes 153 schools that are showing substantial gains over three years.
- Academic Excellence Awards – Honors 388 schools that have maintained high performance over at least three years.
The schools honored:
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Barrington Community Unit School District 220
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Elgin School District Unit 46 Schools
The 2008 honor roll roster includes elementary, middle and high schools, including charter schools, and represents 345 school districts statewide. Suburban schools represent 43 percent of the Honor Roll schools, downstate schools account for another 40 percent and Chicago schools make up the final 17 percent this year. The 989 schools earned a total of 1,040 awards in the three categories.
Developed by Northern Illinois University and ISBE in 2003-4, the Illinois Honor Roll is created each year at NIU. A complete listing of the 2008 Illinois Honor Roll Schools can be found online at http://www.ilhonorroll.niu.edu/
