The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released the 2025 Illinois Report Card, which demonstrates some exciting results for Mattoon CUSD #2 schools.
Commendable Designations for All Four School Sites - Second Consecutive Year
For the second consecutive year, all Mattoon CUSD #2 schools earned a Commendable Rating from the Illinois State Board of Education, thanks to aligned improvement efforts from the district, building, department, teacher, and student levels.
This fact sheet explains the different designation levels.
“Our district’s strong performance across all schools reflects the focused commitment of our entire learning community,” shares Board President, Dale Righter. “The improvement strategies we’ve put in place are making a measurable difference, and that progress is something to celebrate. Every member of our district - from our youngest preschoolers to our graduating seniors, and the dedicated staff and families who support them - plays a role in our success. We are proud of how far we’ve come, and we remain committed to continued growth and excellence for every student.”
The 2025 Illinois Report Card - available at mcusd2.org/ILreportcard - is a snapshot of school performance data from the 2024-25 school year. The state’s rating for all schools is based on multiple metrics, including academic growth, proficiency, attendance, and graduation rate, for which schools earn a number of points.
This pie chart explains the metrics evaluated at each school.
Exceptional Student Growth in Math - Growth Rate At/Above State Average
In grades 3-8, the largest component for school designation is student growth, accounting for 50% of the overall score. According to the Illinois State Board of Education, the weight of this metric is because “Growth is responsive to changes in classroom structures and practices.” As reflected in the 2025 Illinois Report Card, growth as a district either met or exceeded the state in Math on the IAR.
See this document for greater understanding on how student growth is calculated.
“Our district’s report card results reflect meaningful growth across grade levels, and that progress is the result of tremendous teamwork,” reflects Superintendent Tim Condron. “I want to sincerely thank our educators, support staff, and families for the dedication and focus they’ve shown throughout the year. From early numeracy to college readiness, we are seeing gains that outpace state averages in several areas. These results confirm that our aligned systems and shared commitment to continuous improvement are making a measurable difference for our students.”
Not only did Mattoon CUSD #2 see continued growth in academics, but they also noted an impressive ‘9th Grade on Track’ score - exceeding the state average and boasting their second highest score in eight years. This outcome should directly result in an overall increase in their graduation rates, as evidenced by this year's Illinois Report Card, which shows growth of nearly 10% from last year's score.
Ongoing Commitment to Growth and Improvement
While the district celebrates this designation from the state, they are committed to continued growth. Improvement efforts for the 2025-2026 school year began in May of 2025 with analysis of data and establishing targets for improvement, with goals already on display at each campus. All buildings, departments, teachers, and students have targeted strategies for reading, math, attendance, and behavior.
In addition to academic growth, the district is focused on reducing chronic truancy. MCUSD #2 saw a reduction in chronic truancy for the fifth consecutive year as a district, maintaining rates well below the state average. The plan - utilizing strengthened systems to support students and families - is continuously evolving, and includes interventions as early as three absences, with the intent of communicating support and engagement.
“This year, we’ve placed special focus on strengthening student growth in English Language Arts and reducing chronic truancy, and we’re encouraged by the positive trends we’re seeing,” notes Assistant Superintendent, Chad Arnold. “These results show that our planning and teamwork are paying off. Every improvement begins with strong partnerships - among educators, students, and families - and that collaboration continues to drive our success. As we look ahead, we remain committed to building on this momentum and ensuring that every student has the support and opportunities they need to thrive.”
To view the entire Mattoon CUSD #2 performance data for the 2024-25 school year, visit Illinoisreportcard.com. For more information on how to understand the Mattoon CUSD #2 Report card results, please reach out to Chad Arnold, Assistant Superintendent for the district, at chadarnold@mcusd2.com.
About the Illinois Report Card
IllinoisReportCard.com is the state’s official source for information about public schools across Illinois. The information on the webpage helps individuals act as informed partners in the education of children. Families, researchers, policy makers, and community members can use the site to find school data, including academic performance, school environment, educators, students, and highlights provided by principals.