'Climate' puts Novak-King in the mood to achieve

Strategy pays off with second year of AYP

NORTH CHICAGO -- State testing is something to be celebrated, not feared. At least, that's the attitude Novak-King Sixth Grade Center maintains from day one, according to Principal John Offner.

This may be why Novak-King was the only school in the North Chicago School District to achieve Adequate Yearly Progress for the second consecutive year.

"It's just about getting them focused for the test ... we just push it -- that's part of our climate here," Offner said.

The school's curriculum focuses on teaching the state goals rather than teaching to the test, Offner said. As the test approaches, students can turn in Illinois State Achievement Test (ISAT) exercises for treats and answer weekly ISAT questions for prizes.

Staff members also do something "silly" to further the celebratory atmosphere. One year, all the men abstained from shaving until after the ISATs.

The school is consistently rising, and Offner said he hopes to rise to achieve AYP for a third consecutive year next year.

"North Chicago gets a bad rap. People think they (North Chicago students) don't perform as well, but we're making AYP," Offner said.

As a district, North Chicago had the lowest composite ISAT, ACT (American College Test) and PSAE (Prairie State Achievement Exam) scores in the county. In addition, six of the district's 11 schools are under academic warning or watch status, meaning they have not achieved AYP for several consecutive years.

"It's getting more difficult to make AYP for everyone, not just North Chicago," said Superintendent Lauri Hakanen.

School finances, an increased mobility rate (38 percent) and more students on free/reduced lunch programs (81 percent) are among the top challenges the district is facing, Hakanen said.

The district is trying to free funding for tutoring, updated technology and professional development, he said.

Despite district challenges, five schools improved their test scores and one maintained its scores, he reported.

"The big thing we the staff are looking for is improvement ... the needle has got to be moving up and onward, not necessarily just making AYP but in overall performance," Hakanen said.