One of the key components of the Illinois Report Card is the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR), which has been the state’s federally mandated measurement of students’ mastery of the Illinois Learning Standards in English language arts, or ELA, and math since 2015. The IAR test is given to students in grades three through eight in public school districts to examine “their readiness for what’s next,” according to the Illinois State Board of Education.

Performance levels for the IAR were recently updated: • Level 1: Below proficient • Level 2: Approaching proficient • Level 3: Proficient • Level 4: Above proficient

Students performing at levels 3 and 4, according to ISBE, have demonstrated readiness for the next grade level and are on track for college and careers — though prof

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