As part of a dramatic new approach to judging public schools, Illinois has introduced lower standards for black, Latino and low-income students — a move that has troubled civil rights advocates and some local educators.

In reading, for example, 85 percent of the state’s white 3rd- through 8th-grade students will be expected to pass state exams by 2019 compared to just 73 percent of Latino students and 70 percent of black students.

“You’re potentially sending a message that it’s OK for some kids to not do as well,” said Timothy Truesdale, the assistant superintendent of a struggling Illinois school district in which almost all students are Latino and from low-income families. “We want our students to be proficient.”

The federal government recently approved the changes as part of a waiver that allows the state to abandon unrealistic requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act, including the expectation that 100 percent of students must pass state exams.

State officials have defended the new standards on the grounds that the groups are starting at different levels. “A key point here is that we are setting more aggressive targets for underperforming groups that will reduce achievement gaps,” said State School Superintendent Chris Koch.

State officials have also stressed that though the groups will have different passing targets, individual students will still need the same score to pass.

Chicago Tribune, May 11