K-12 Math Education in Chicago

The Chicago Metropolitan Area is home to many world-renowned educational institutes with high rankings in the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Ranking. However, according to statistics, the grade-3 students in Chicago have seen a decline in math scores on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness test. Moreover, the chronic absenteeism in Illinois’ ten largest school districts including Chicago is a sign that remote learning due to COVID-19 has been less effective as compared to in-person learning. The schools in Chicago should make concrete efforts to recover the lost math skills of K-12 students.

Evaluation of Math Proficiency through the National Assessment of Educational Progress

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) measures students’ knowledge and skills in mathematics and their ability to solve problems in mathematical and real-world contexts. The most recent mathematics NAEP assessment was administered in 2019 for 149,500 grade 4 students, 147,400 grade 8 students, and 25,400 grade 12 students nationwide.

Grade 4 and Grade 8 NAEP Assessment Results for Students in Chicago

In the most recent 2019 National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP) evaluation, the average score of grade 4 students in Chicago did not show any significant improvement from their 2017 results. 69% of grade 4 students performed below the NAEP Proficient level. Moreover, the average score for grade 8 students in Chicago (253) was lower than their average score in 2017 (259). The percentage of grade 8 students who performed at or above the NAEP Proficient level was 23% in 2019 versus 27% in 2017. Additionally, the percentage of grade 8 students who performed at or above the NAEP Basic level was 64% in 2019 relative to 70% in 2017.

School District Performance in Chicago

Here is a list of the top 50 school districts in the Chicago area. These rankings are based on graduation rates, state test scores, college readiness, SAT/ACT scores, quality of teaching, public school district ratings, and more.

The schools in the Chicago Metropolitan Area need to implement effective strategies to improve their overall performance, especially, the math proficiency of students. A personalized math enrichment program can provide the students in Chicago with outside-school learning opportunities and bridge the gap between what they already know and the level they should be at.

At Math Project, we demonstrate our commitment to increasing the math proficiency of our students through our math enrichment programs and initiatives. Our mission is to help our students to increase their knowledge and boost their confidence in mathematics.

Now, you don’t need to hire a math tutor for your child. Our math enrichment programs are available for K-12 students in all major cities of the Chicago Metropolitan Area including Chicago City, Aurora, Naperville, Evanston, Elgin, Joliet, Kenosha, Waukegan, Gary, Hammond, or Michigan City. Contact us today at 1-844-628-4243 to book a free assessment.

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Citations

Chicago Metropolitan Area — www.wikipedia.org
Chicago third graders see declines in math and reading scores on state test — www.chicago.chalkbeat.org
About the NAEP Mathematics Assessment — www.nationsreportcard.gov
Mathematics — www.nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/mathematics/
2019 Reading Chicago Grade 8 Snapshot Report and 2019 Reading Chicago Grade 4 Snapshot Reports — www.nces.ed.gov
2022 Best School Districts in Chicago — www.niche.com