This article was taken from the Berwyn Life Newspaper
Success at Irving School Included in Testing Study
Not only does principal Dan Lane think Irving School is the "best school in the whole world," so do officials from Illinois State University who are conducting a research project on what makes the school so successful.
Paul Baker and Marilyn Moore, both professors at Illinois State University in Normal, conducted a research study on April 28 and 29 at the school for the National Center for Educational Accountability.
The Illinois Best Practices Study identifies how highly successful schools work from the district level down to administrators and teachers. The research will provide educators with useful information for their own schools.
Due to Irving School's high Illinois Standards Achievement Test scores, the school was chosen as one of 15 in the state for the research project.
Under No Child Left Behind, the school is making adequate yearly progress on standardized testing in reading and mathematics.
According to the Illinois State Report Card, in the 2003-04 school year, 78.2 percent of Irving students met or exceeded standards in math and reading, compared to 61 percent of students statewide.
"Good schools aren't an accident. They grow over time and keep getting better. One success builds into another each year. Over time you get a legacy of excellence, like what you have here at Irving (School). That legacy of excellence is what we want to learn more about to help other schools provide a similar opportunity for their children," Baker said.
Baker and Moore met with district and school officials. Teachers were interviewed on curriculum, instruction, assessment, relationships with parents, team work, school spirit and climate, along with how they stay current with new teaching methods.
"The magic of any good school is the staff's ability to work together as adults for the benefit of children," Baker said.
Baker was especially intrigued by the school's high ISAT scores, considering it has a large low-income population of nearly 39 percent. The low-income level for South Berwyn School District 100 is nearly 53 percent.
"This is one of the most outstanding schools in the state. We are especially looking at schools that help low-income students be successful. ... Irving School has a large number of low-income students, yet they do extraordinarily well on the ISAT," he said.
Lane said the school's participation in the research project is an honor to the district, teachers and students.
"The secret to Irving School is the fine staff that dedicate their lives, energy and expertise to the students of District 100. This is a feather in the cap of the teachers and students," he said.
The research results will be included in the www.just4kids.org Web site and in training sessions for educators across the state.
Johnna Kelly's e-mail address is:
jkelly@libertysuburban.com