School Ratings Shake-Up: Evanston-Skokie District 65 Faces Changes

Evanston-Skokie District 65 recently got some mixed news with the release of the 2025 Illinois Report Card. Two schools, Kingsley Elementary and Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies, saw their ratings drop from "commendable" to "targeted. " This shift is notable because it reflects changes in how student performance is measured, not necessarily a decline in actual learning. The drop in ratings comes at a tricky time for the district. Dr. Bessie Rhodes School is set to close permanently at the end of this school year. Additionally, there are rumors that Kingsley and Lincolnwood Elementary might also face closure. This raises questions about what these rating changes really mean for the schools and the students. This year, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) tweaked how it evaluates standardized test scores. For instance, the score needed for proficiency in math dropped slightly. While some see this as a way to better track progress, others argue it lowers the bar for student achievement. Superintendent Angel Turner clarified that the learning standards themselves haven't changed, only how the results are reported. Despite the rating drops, there's good news too. Twelve District 65 schools still hold a "commendable" rating, and Orrington Elementary kept its top "exemplary" status. Turner also highlighted that the district is doing well in English, math, and science compared to state averages. For example, 83. 6% of D65 eighth-graders passed algebra, way higher than the state average of 30. 8%. The district also saw improvements in student attendance and safety. Chronic absenteeism, where students miss more than 10% of school days, dropped from 18. 9% to 17. 2%. Student surveys showed that most feel safe and respected at school. However, enrollment has been a concern, with a 23. 87% drop since 2018. The rating changes and potential school closures highlight bigger issues in education. Are these shifts in ratings due to real academic struggles, or are they just a result of changes in how performance is measured? Either way, it's clear that the district has both challenges and successes to consider as it moves forward.