South Central Reporter

In the 2022-23 school year, 45.4% of the students in Panhandle Community Unit School District 2 passed the ELA portion of the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR), according to the Illinois State Board of Education.

Of the 183 students in Panhandle Community Unit School District 2 who took the ELA portion of the test, approximately 83 (45.4%) passed.

The percentage of Panhandle Community Unit School District 2 students who met or exceeded expectations on the IAR increased by 12.8% compared to the previous school year.

Panhandle Community Unit School District 2 roughly covers four schools within Montgomery County and has a main office in Raymond.

The Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) assesses the progress of students in grades 3-8 in meeting the Illinois Learning Standards in English language arts and mathematics.

Illinois has approved a new budget for 2025 that increases funds for K-12 education to $8.6 billion, $350 million above last year’s budget. Lawmakers also approved a new bill that creates a statewide child tax credit, which allows families to receive $300 per child under 17 years. This comes after a similar aid was granted from the federal government, as part of the American Rescue Plan.

School	District	Students who met standards (%)	Students who exceed standards (%)
Lincolnwood Junior High School	Panhandle Community Unit School District 2	41.2%	9.3%
Raymond Grade School	Panhandle Community Unit School District 2	36%	3.5%