PPS Superintendent Responds to Poor School Performance on Illinois Report Card

Source: Illinois State Board of Education

At PPS, 10 of 13 elementary schools received “targeted,” “comprehensive” or “intensive” scores requiring school improvement cycles as they were among the lowest performing in the state. But while the scores may not look good on paper, Kherat says some schools have improved from last year.

“Last year we had four intensive schools. Now we have two intensive schools. We had five comprehensive schools. Now we have four school communities. And so they land on the target and there are seven targets. I am convinced and look forward to the new ranking for next year. And I believe we will see continued improvements,” said Kherat.

More than 70% of PPS students live in poverty and often face traumatic challenges at home, Kherat said. These factors, combined with high absenteeism, negatively impact their academic performance. It’s something a school district like Unit 5 doesn’t have to worry about.

“We are a district and those are our public schools and that is why we are here. And it is certainly possible. And so we must remain intentional and ensure that we are teaching students at grade level. We implement the interventions and of course they have to be in school for it to have an impact on them,” she said.

Kherat said they are focused on reducing chronic absenteeism and continue to teach with purpose in an effort to improve their academic grades.

“This year, for the first time, we are really focusing on chronically absent children. We haven’t really done that in the past. We were just focused on attendance rates and improving them. And there is a big difference,” she said.

Kherat also pointed to the high school graduation rate, which has improved from 65% in 2015 to 80% last year.

“I really, really, really, really believe that all schools can move into the commendable category or the exemplary category,” she said. “Our job is to ensure that they have a fighting chance and that they will be competitive and contributing members of society with a great future. And so that is the journey we are on. It’s definitely a journey.”

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