Report cards highlight graduation and growth

schoolsanddifferent grades.

“Last year was a very difficult year – we had new administrators in every building. Teachers, students and parents were all getting adjusted,” she said.

Miller, a former social worker, is in her second year as superintendent and wants to be in the trenches with the teachers, develop a curriculum plan and “immediately” address the social-emotional issues of students and staff.

“We have to create an optimal learning environment – see howa student or a teacher feels when they walk into the classroom. There has to be camaraderie and respect for each other,” Miller said.

The state has promised additional funding for its lowest performing schools, and Miller said she will use that for the “greatest need” — professional development of her staff.

“I will not just tell teachers what to do, but willmake sure they know how to do it,” she said.

In the Southland, 33 schools were labeled as “underperforming.” All were elementary schools, including all three schools in Sauk Village District 168, three of 11 schools in Cook County District 130, three of nine schools in CreteMonee District 201U, three of eight schools in Dolton District 149, two in Chicago Heights District 170, and two inDoltonDistrict 148.

In Orland Park District 135, only one school — Orland Junior High — was considered to be under- performing; all other district schoolswere commendable.

Grissom Middle School in Tinley Park, and Jack Hille Middle School in Oak Forest, also were underperforming, according to the report card data.