Carbondale Reporter

Despite dismal student performance on annual exams covering math and reading, Carbondale-area high school graduation rates remain high, according to a Carbondale Reporter analysis of 2016 data from the Illinois State Board of Education.

Of the 23 schools analyzed in Jackson and Williamson counties, Elverado High School showed the greatest disparity. In a year when 80 percent of seniors graduated on time, just 4 percent of students actually passed annual tests that the state uses to determine who is "ready for the next level."

The end-of-year tests known as the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, or PARCC, are administered to third- through eighth-graders in Illinois, testing them based on Common Core standards. High schoolers also took the tests through 2016. 

A composite score combines the results of the subject tests. Students whose scores either meet or exceed expectations are considered "ready for the next level."

Schools' graduation fraud index shows the difference between the composite passing rate and the graduation rate.

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Carbondale-area schools graduation fraud index

Carbondale-area high schools	School district	City	Annual exam pass rate (%)	Graduation rate (%)	Graduation fraud index
Elverado High School	Elverado Cusd 196	Elkville	3.9	80	-76.1
Marion High School	Marion Cusd 2	Marion	14.3	87.6	-73.3
Trico Senior High School	Trico Cusd 176	Campbell Hill	24.8	87	-62.2
Johnston City High School	Johnston City Cusd 1	Johnston City	30.6	78.8	-48.2
Carbondale Community High School	Carbondale Chsd 165	Carbondale	45.9	93.5	-47.6
Crab Orchard High School	Crab Orchard Cusd 3	Marion	42.3	89.7	-47.4
Herrin Community Unit School District 4 Board	Herrin Cusd 4	Herrin	39.6	87	-47.4
Carterville High School	Carterville Cusd 5	Carterville	41.8	87.8	-46
Murphysboro High School	Murphysboro Cusd 186	Murphysboro	35.4	79	-43.6

Source: Illinois State Board of Education