Chicago City Wire

At Smyser Elementary School, a 36.1-point achievement gap persisted between white and black students in 2018, according to end-of-year assessments reported in the latest Illinois schools report card.

The achievement gap shows an 0.8-point decline in scores between white and black students. Of the 939 students enrolled in 2018, 31.2 percent were white – or 292 students.

The achievement gap measures how one group of students academically outperforms another. The Illinois State Board of Education collects data on the persistent gap between groups by race and ethnicity, income level and gender.

The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, or PARCC, is administered to third- through eighth-graders in Illinois, testing them in reading and math based on Common Core standards. A composite score combines the results of the subject tests.

According to Smyser Elementary School composite scores for 2018, 41.1 percent of white students passed the tests. Meanwhile, 5 percent of black students passed.

Students who passed either met or exceeded expectations are considered prepared for the next grade level, college or work. Students who failed either partially met, approached or did not meet expectations.

The achievement gap is smaller for English language arts scores and larger for math scores.

There is a 31.1-point gap between white and black students' English language arts scores in 2018 – a 14.7 point decline since 2017. In 2018, 41.1 percent of white students passed the reading subject test. Meanwhile, 10 percent of black students passed.

There was a 41.2-point gap between white and black students' math scores in 2018: 41.2 percent of white students passed while 0 percent of black students passed.

Smyser Elementary School's white vs. black achievement gap over 3 years

The achievement gap at Chicago schools