Does This Really Work?

On October 30th, the State of Illinois released the updated report cards for districts across the state. Within these reports is the cumulative data on our high school (Carterville High School) performance on the SAT taken in April, 2024. Here are some post-covid results comparing the two years prior to implementing the Skills Based Approach in the 2022/2023 school year. The following is available on the ISBE website: https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/school.aspx?source=trends&source2=sat.average&Schoolid=211000050260001:

Math SAT Scores Carterville High School

Before implementing Skills Based Classroom:

Exceed state average in 2021 by 19.5 points

Exceed state average in 2022 by 25.2 points  

After implementing Skills Based Classroom:

Exceed state average in 2023 by 27.3 points

Exceed state average in 2024 by 30.5 points!!!

We realize this is a small sample size and not all of our tested students are in a Skills Based Classroom (Our advanced students are in a traditional format). However, our advanced students are expected to score well above the state average anyway. We believe this growth is due to our "regular track" (for lack of a better term) kids beings offered an opportunity to demonstrate learning on a daily basis without the constraints of traditional tests and homework assignments. Student-centered and leaning-focused is the key!

Does this work for the advanced students as well?

We have data to support that it does. How about looking at our AP Calculus test scores?

AP Calculus Carterville High School

Pre-Skills Based Classroom:

2020: 11 of 24 scored 3 or higher (45.8%). School average score: 2.58 - State average 3.00

*2023: 9 of 21 scored 3 or higher (42.9%). School average score: 2.57 - State average 2.88

*During my time in administration, I did not teach AP Calculus in 2020 or 2021, therefore we are not able to access these scores (KC).

There was a hesitancy on our part to implement the Skills Based model in advanced classes because these students have already demonstrated success with the traditional approach. However, after several years of AP exam scores being less than impressive, we felt like there was nothing to lose. So at the start of the 2023/2024 school year, we decided that we would eliminate homework and chapter tests from the AP classroom. Skills assessments and retakes became the norm. The results...

AP Calculus Carterville High School

Post-Skills Based Classroom:

2024: 22 of 27 scored 3 or higher (81.5%)

School average score: 3.41 - State average: 3.13

What we have discovered is that the problems we tried to solve with our Skills Based approach were universal to all students regardless of ability levels or personal circumstances. As we enter year three of implementation, there is clearly a high level of supporting evidence that a non-traditional teaching model can create positive outcomes. Although we constantly tweak our systems and practices, the core values stay the same.