Lake County Gazette

Illinois State Representative Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) commented on statistics showing Illinois students underperforming in a recent Facebook post.

"At 622 schools across Illinois, only 1 out of 10 kids or less can read at grade level," McLaughlin wrote. "The numbers for math are even more shocking with 930 schools reporting 1 out of 10 kids or less able to do math at grade level."

In his post, McLaughlin shared a link to a Wirepoints article with a report that only 1 out of 10 Illinois schoolchildren can do math at their grade level in 930 schools, more than a quarter of all schools in the state.

However, despite the alleged shortcomings, the article said, many of the cited schools have been rated "commendable" by the Illinois State Board of Education, which is the second-highest of four "accountability" ratings given to schools.

"Not a single one of the 113 students at Sandoval Sr. High School can read or do math at grade level," the article said. "And yet the school is 'commendable'. Same with Ralph Ellison Chicago International Charter School. Over $24,000 spent on each of its 172 students. Labeled 'commendable'. And none of the students are proficient in either reading or math."

The article comments that the situation defies logic, saying "In a sane world, schools that don’t and can’t teach a single student the most basic of skills would be shut down. But here, they carry on…the system thrives while students wither."