Measuring Progress
The goal of Oswego Community Unit School District 308 is to create a continuous loop of learning and improvement by carefully measuring progress, evaluating outcomes, and setting actionable plans for the future. The district uses a blend of qualitative and quantitative assessment methods to ensure a well-rounded view of each learner’s journey. A few of the areas we plan and measure growth are the Illinois State Report Card, 5Essentials, and School Improvement Plans.
Illinois Report Card
Each year, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) releases School Report Cards for public schools in Illinois. These Report Cards use data from the previous school year to show how well our schools are progressing on a wide range of educational goals at the school, district, and state levels.
ISBE assigns schools an annual summative designation on the Report Card. School designations are based on ISBE’s accountability system; designations measure our growth compared to the other 852 districts in Illinois.
ISBE assigns schools an annual summative designation on the Report Card. School designations are based on ISBE’s accountability system; designations measure our growth compared to the other 852 districts in Illinois.
In addition to the district and school report cards, the Illinois State Board of Education provides an Equity Journey Continuum for each district. This informational tool helps districts identify gaps in students’ access to opportunities, resources, and support through the lens of equity. View the full report card here.
5 Essentials Survey
The 5Essentials Survey is a tool utilized by schools and school districts across Illinois. The survey measures five benchmarks that positively impact school success: Effective Leaders, Collaborative Teachers, Involved Families, Supportive Environments, and Ambitious Instruction. According to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), schools that have strong scores in at least three of these categories are 10 times more likely to improve outcomes for students.
School Improvement Plans
Oswego Community Unit School District 308 has implemented a cohesive framework for all its schools to utilize in their improvement planning processes. This layout was created with the district’s three foundational practices (High-Quality Instruction, Equity and Rightful Presence, and Effective Systems and Teams) at the forefront.
Within this plan, the district works to ensure that each student, regardless of grade level, program, or school, receives high-quality instruction with an emphasis placed on rigor, relevance, and engagement. Further, the district wants its system for school improvement to address Equity and Rightful Presence through four pathways - Universal Access, Opportunity Gap, Student Advocacy, and Cultural and Relational Responsiveness - in order to foster a sense of belonging for every student. Overall, the district is focused on creating a strong sense of collaboration among its systems and teams so all goals can be carried out effectively.
