Eldorado High School college prep test scores improving

ELDORADO -- Eldorado teachers and administrators say they are pleased with recent results of college preparedness exams, which show Eldorado High School students rapidly improving scores.

ACT test scores for Eldorado students from the 2017 graduating class showed students hitting statewide average scores, which is a first according to EHS Assistant Principal Cody Cusic.

Cusic, who also is curriculum and transportation director for the high school, said he's happy about the results but not surprised.

"This is something our teachers and our students have been working toward for some time," Cusic said. "A lot of effort has gone into this across the board."

The overall composite scores for EHS students was 21.4, identical to the state average. In addition, the state average score the four previous years was between 20.4 and 20.8.

On this particular afternoon, junior English teacher Miranda Cain is teaching a lesson, using an excerpt from hit Broadway musical "Hamilton" to bring home a point to her students.

The students seem to enjoy the contemporary nature of the lesson.

"Maybe all political debate should work like that," junior Denessa Wiseman jokes.

Some other students chuckle or nod in agreement.

After the class is over, Cain and Cusic get a chance to briefly talk about Eldorado's improved ACT scores, and that how next year the state will be using SAT scores instead of ACT for comparison.

What's more, Cain has been selected to be on the Illinois State Board of Education's SAT Standards-Setting Committee.

"We are very proud of her and her work," Cusic said.

Cain said she's looking forward to starting on the project.

"It's starting next week, so it's happening very quickly," she said. "I'm really excited about being a part of it."

Cusic said it's difficult to pinpoint any one specific change to methods that have led to higher test scores. The effort to improve scores across the curriculum, though, can be measured in the test results, he said.

According to results from ACT, Eldorado exceeds state levels of college preparedness for college English composition by 5 percentage points, scoring 71 percent. The statewide average is 66 percent.

Eldorado also exceeds statewide average college social science scores, with 50 percent compared to 48 percent. College biology scores are just 1 point under the state average, 38 percent compared to 39 percent. College algebra scores are 38 percent, compared to the statewide average of 44 percent. Overall, 21 percent of EHS students are considered college ready based on ACT test scores, compared to the statewide average of 30 percent.

"Our teachers work hard, and so do our students," Cusic said.