CHICAGO (AP) - A new analysis of state data by the Chicago Tribune has found that school districts across Illinois are using a loophole to define what constitutes a junior-year student.
Schools are increasing the credit hour requirements to be considered a junior. This means schools are disqualifying thousands of third-year high school students from taking exams that holds schools accountable for student achievement.
Officials with the Illinois State Board of Education say they're investigating student reclassification.
School officials say students without enough credit hours aren't prepared to take the state exams.
The newspaper's analysis found 20 percent of Illinois sophomores didn't officially advance to junior-level status last year and never took the exam.
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