Analysis: 84.3% of black DuPage County third graders failed state English exam in 2021

By DuPage Policy Journal

Aug 26, 2022

In DuPage County, 84.3 percent of black third grade students failed the 2021 state English exam.

This means 84.3 percent of black third graders are not proficient in English, which is considered a core skill for later success in life. These students struggle with understanding what they’ve read, recounting stories, and learning from illustrations like pictures of maps, according to the standards set by the state.

Numerous counties saw all black third grade students fail to reach an acceptable proficiency level in English. Counties include: Alexander, Marion, McDonough, Pulaski, Jefferson, Henry, and Randolph County.

Illinois report card data showed there were dramatic declines in academic achievement since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

However, a Wirepoints investigation found the Illinois school system prioritizes social promotion of black students over their literacy.

“'Social promotion' – pushing kids into the next grade regardless of ability – leaves unsuspecting Illinois parents believing their kids are being educated simply because they're advancing,” wrote report authors Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner. “Social promotion in Illinois continues into high school. That’s when district officials tell parents what they want to hear – that their children have what they need to graduate.”

Wirepoints also cited “racial equity” programs that blame low black student scores on racism, calling schools “more obsessed with vague outcomes like equity and diversity than merit and competence.”

District information was gathered from the Illinois Report Card.

English Scores of DuPage County Black Third Grade Students

District	# of Black Third Grade Students Who Took English Exam	% of Black Third Grade Students Who Failed English Exam
Marquardt School District 15	24	95.8
Keeneyville School District 20	20	95
Woodridge School District 68	28	92.9
West Chicago Elementary School District 33	10	90
Community Consolidated School District 180	15	86.7
Indian Prairie School District 204	98	85.6
Naperville Community Unit School District 203	50	82
Downers Grove Grade School District 58	10	80
Community Unit School District 200	35	79.9
Villa Park School District 45	18	77.7
Maercker School District 60	11	72.8
Community Consolidated School District 93	21	71.5
Elmhurst School District 205	10	70