Illinois is changing the way it measures student achievement in its schools. The state board of education has approved new performance benchmarks that will allow more students to be classified as “proficient” in English, math, and science. For example, the required score for proficiency in third-grade math will drop from 750 to 732. Under the new standards, 53% of students are expected to be proficient in English and 38% in math, compared to last year’s 41% and 28%. Some state Republican officials have voiced strong opposition, arguing that the changes lower educational standards.
