School gains are legit, Daley says

Mayor Daley Tuesday chided those who questioned whether changes to the state's achievement tests contributed to new historic gains, insisting that in Chicago, "The progress is real.''

"A lot of people, the media, don't believe the success we're gathering,'' Daley said, standing under a rainbow made from colorful balloons at Jahn School on the North Side. "They are always questioning, anytime something happens in Chicago public schools. . . . Is it for real?"

"Itis real,'' Daley said. "While there's more to do, the progress is real.''

CPS figures indicated city kids passed 62 percent of their Illinois Standards Achievement Tests last year vs. 38 percent five years ago. Those gains are "twice as big" as the rest of the state, where the percent passing rose to 81 percent from 70 percent, Daley said.

Numerous experts have contended that a long list of test changes -- including more time, an improved answer sheet and new color illustrations -- could have goosed gains statewide.

State Interim Supt. Chris Koch insisted the new test wasn't easier, but the new kid-friendly format could have made the test "more accessible'' to kids and "absolutely'' could have impacted gains statewide.

Both Chicago and Illinois posted record increases in the percent passing ISATs. However, Daley insisted only Chicago's gains were being questioned. "Why only us? Why not the suburban area? . . . This is a great story [for CPS].''