South Central Reporter

In the 2022-23 school year, 23.7% of the students in Northwestern 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 139 students in Northwestern Community Unit School District 2 who took the ELA portion of the test, approximately 33 (23.7%) passed.

The percentage of Northwestern Community Unit School District 2 students who met or exceeded expectations on the IAR increased by 7.7% compared to the previous school year.

Northwestern Community Unit School District 2 roughly covers three schools within Macoupin County and has a main office in Palmyra.

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 (%)
Northwestern Junior High School	Northwestern Community Unit School District 2	32.7%	0%
Northwestern Elementary School	Northwestern Community Unit School District 2	17.9%	0%