SH SD151 students missing fewer days of learning, state data show

Overall attendance is high and chronic absenteeism is down districtwide at South Holland School District 151, which serves families in South Holland, Phoenix, and Harvey, according to state data.

Chronic absenteeism, defined as a student missing more than 10 percent of the days they are enrolled at school for any reason, is down roughly 3 percent overall at South Holland School District 151, officials said at the board’s regular meeting earlier this month.

As of 2025, the districtwide chronic absenteeism rate is 30.9 percent. That’s down from 33.6 percent in the prior academic year, according to data from the Illinois Report Card, a state database with information about schools. However, the figure is still higher than the statewide average of 26.3 percent.

Madison Elementary School and Eisenhower Elementary School have seen the greatest improvements, according to a district preliminary report, with steady declines in absenteeism over the past three academic years for both schools. At Madison, absenteeism has declined over 10 percent since the 2023 academic year. At Eisenhower, it has declined over 17 percent. Districtwide attendance rates are high, where 91.7 percent of students are present, largely unchanged from 91.3 percent in 2024.

The board reviewed students’ preliminary Illinois Assessment of Readiness scores at its regular meeting on Aug. 4. Superintendent Teresa Hill noted that the state is reworking their proficiency cut scores, or minimum score met to be categorized in a given performance level, because the original score ranges were set at an “inappropriately high level.”

These changes are part of a comprehensive plan to conduct a unified academic achievement standard setting for state assessments across all subjects and grades. For years, Illinois elementary and high school students were incorrectly labeled based on performance assessments, where students were shown to be less prepared for college than they actually were. 

Utilizing the original cut scores, the percentage of SH SD151 students meeting the learning standards increased in both reading and math. About 32 percent of students met the standards in reading compared to last year’s 26.2 percent. In math, about 17.5 percent of students met the standards compared to last year’s 15.6 percent. 

“The math progress is slower because we have those gaps that we’re still trying to fill in some of those key concepts, but we are seeing growth year over year,” Hill said. She noted that the new cut scores will bump some students from lacking proficient category up to proficient. 

Once reviewed and approved by the Illinois State Board of Education, the new scores would take effect for the state’s 2025 Report Card data.

Bilingual learning

The district received the Bilingual Education Award with a $10,000 state grant. The grant will go towards bolstering bilingual classrooms and providing training in biliteracy assessment testing. 

According to district data, 19 percent of students are identified as English learners. “A majority of these children come from Spanish speaking homes,” and participate in ESL classes, according to the district website. Kathryn Varner, director of curriculum and assessment, wants all bilingual students to receive a seal of biliteracy on their high school diplomas. 

“We’re trying to make sure that we’re preserving both languages…” Varner said. “Our hope is that by fifth grade, we can have everybody on our roster be biliterate.”

Student program updates

Taft School’s Pre-School for All, a district program that encourages parental involvement in children’s education, is expanding to offer full-day preschool. Fifteen families will be joining the pilot program. The goal is 20 families. 

The district is introducing a gifted program to offer academic enrichment to high-achieving students. Using only Measures of Academic Progress standardized testing scores, Varner identified 151 students for the inaugural group. The MAP scores assess reading and math efficiency.

Eligible students are able to join the gifted program at the beginning of each new school year. Third through eighth grade students will begin the program this fall. The next round of students in second through eighth grade will be identified this winter.

The district’s Van Moody Arts Academy served 85 students during this year’s summer camps. Over 160 students are served during their fall and spring sessions. The program, overseen by Mario Moody, the district’s director of fine arts, provides arts enrichment to elementary and middle schoolers with class offerings such as dance, theatre, percussion and strings. There is also programming for preschoolers and first graders. Registration for VMAA’s fall classes is now open.

Personnel update

The board confirmed the hiring of Ayana Hartzol as director of special education effective Aug. 18. Hartzol is currently the principal of Martin Luther King Elementary School at West Harvey-Dixmoor School District 147, according to the school’s website. Vice president Michele Turner was the only board member to vote against her hiring. 

“I have read [Hartzol’s] resume, her letters of recommendation, even her addendum, and I’ve spoken to individuals in the community,” board member Patrice Burton said, who joined the meeting remotely. “No one knows everything when they come, but I give a resounding yes to Dr. Hartzol.”