Academics
Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 aims to foster a community where all students have access to high-quality, diverse learning opportunities, see themselves represented in their school’s culture and curricula, and achieve at high levels.
To promote this learning community, the district continuously assesses and revises its programming to meet students’ diverse identities, learning needs, and interests. The district regularly evaluates and revises its curricula, continues to expand its Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Credit (DC) programming, and offers a number of career certifications that encourage students to pursue their passions and develop their college and career readiness. Likewise, the district is committed to lifelong learning for its faculty and staff, regularly providing professional learning opportunities that support individual educator growth and collectively focus on how to best challenge and support all students.
Please click here to be taken to the Course Guide for ZBTHS. It contains details about the school's course offerings.
Please click here to be taken to the Course Guide for ZBE. It contains details about the school's course offerings.
Academic Excellence Information
District Assessments
District-Wide Assessment Days
District 126 has three district-wide assessment days during the school year – one in the fall, one in the winter, and one in the spring. The intent of these assessments is to gather important information regarding progress in students’ skill levels in English, Math, Reading, and Science. This data helps measure a student’s academic growth and inform instructional practice.
To measure students' academic progress, District 126 uses ACT's suite of assessments and respective practice assessments via Horizon Education.The ACT series consists of the following assessments, PreACT 8/9, PreACT Secure, and ACT.
The table below shows District 126's assessment timeline.
If you have any questions about your student's assessment scores or the assessment schedule, please contact the Office of Academics at (847) 731-9597.
Seal of Biliteracy
Zion-Benton Twp. High School District 126 is proud to offer the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy to qualifying District 126 seniors who demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English and one or more additional languages.
Frequently Asked Questions
| FAQ | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy? | The seal is a recognition given to graduating high school students who have demonstrated a high level of proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in English and in another language. This proficiency will be noted on each awarded student’s diploma and transcript. |
| What’s the benefit of earning the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy? | The seal allows students to showcase a marketable skill for colleges and potential employers. It may also be an asset for potential scholarship opportunities. As of January 2017, all public universities in Illinois must accept the seal as equivalent to two years of foreign language coursework taken in high school. |
| Who qualifies for the seal? | Seniors who meet the criteria outlined in the table below will be awarded the seal on their ZBTHS or NT at Zion-Benton East diploma. |
Criteria for receiving the certification
| English Proficiency Criteria | Other Language Proficiency Criteria |
|---|---|
| SAT ERW score of 480 OR ACT scores of an 18 in English or a 21 composite score OR ACCESS composite score of 4.8 | AP foreign language test score of 4 or 5 OR Rating of at least “Intermediate High” in all 4 skill areas on the respective AAPPL test |
Proficiency Test Information
| FAQ | Answer |
|---|---|
| When will students take the SAT and ACCESS Test? | SAT and ACCESS: These two state administered assessments were or are provided by the state to qualifying students. |
| When will students take the AAPPL test? | AAPPL: District 126 will offer students their respective AAPPL test (if available) on a date each spring. Interested students should register, take a sample test, and report on the date provided by the district. |
School Report Card Data
Annually, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) releases a School Report Card for every school in the State of Illinois. 2018 was the first year of the state's newly designed School Report Card, which features new data points and that aligns to Illinois' Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Plan requirements. Additional information about ESSA and the school designation process are provided in the links below. There are four possible school designations:
No schools received a rating in 2020-2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and incomplete data that resulted. For information about Illinois' ESSA Plan and report card metrics, click below:
Illinois State Board of Education ESSA Multiple Indicators
Illinois State Board of Education ESSA School Designations
District 126's report cards can be accessed via the following links.
The ISBE also provides school report card information at www.IllinoisReportCard.com. Readers are also encouraged to review the campuses' Title I School Wide Plans for historical information regarding our schools' academic progress:
- Exemplary
- Commendable
- Underperforming
- Lowest Performing
- Zion-Benton Twp. High School Report Card: click here
- Zion-Benton East High School Report Card: click here
- Zion-Benton Twp. High School Title I School Wide Plan: Click here
- Zion-Benton East High School Title I School Wide Plan: Click here
Title 1 Program
District 126 has a Schoolwide Title I Program. As a result, Zion-Benton Twp. High School and New Tech High @ Zion-Benton East are eligible for Title I resources. The Title I Plan and Schoolwide Plans are comprehensive components of the District's overall strategic plan for academic achievement and are reviewed annually by stakeholders. Parents are strongly encouraged to provide input into the Title I program development and evaluation by attending special Title I meetings scheduled during the year. Please watch the District's online calendar for confirmation of meeting dates, times, and location. Questions regarding the District's Title I program can be directed to Dr. Melissa DiGangi, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, at digangim@zbths.org.
The following document links provide information on the District 126 district and building level Title I programs:
E-Learning Plan
Dear District 126 Families,
The Board of Education adopted an e-Learning plan for the years 2023-2026 that allows the District to ensure continuity of education in the event that students are not physically present due to an emergency closure. Most often, an emergency closure occurs due to inclement weather. As a result, during the winter months, I work closely with neighboring school districts to monitor conditions and ensure weather-related decisions are made in a timely manner whenever possible.
Our approved e-Learning plan ensures that education continues on these days and allows the District to utilize up to 5 emergency e-Learning days per school year without resulting in additional changes to the academic calendar.
On an e-Learning day, students are expected to log into their learning management system and submit attendance by 10:00 a.m. and complete assigned learning activities assigned by their teachers.
The procedures for an e-Learning day are outlined below:
Communication Timeline
By 1:00 p.m the previous day
If a closure is to be anticipated due to inclement weather approaching the area (e.g., significant snowfall or subzero temperatures), the District will notify students, staff, and families of a potential closure being considered. This notification will occur via email, text message, robocall, and will be posted on the district’s website and social media pages (@ZBPride).
Students will be reminded to bring home their district-issued chromebook.
Staff will be notified to develop an appropriate lesson for eLearning and to bring home their district-issued devices.
By 5:30 a.m. the day of
The District will communicate the closure status to all staff and students via email, text message, robocall, and will be posted on the district’s website and social media pages (@ZBPride) prior to this time.
eLearning Day Timeline
By 8:30 am the day of
Teachers will post all lessons in the school’s Learning Management System, Canvas. These lessons should include 45 minutes of learning activities for each class, will reflect current topics of study, and will align to curriculum goals and objectives.
The attendance link will be posted on Canvas for students to complete when they start their school day.
Student Attendance and School Day
By 10:00 am the day of
All students must sign in to school via the Attendance Form posted on Canvas.
8:30 a.m - 2:30 p.m. the day of
Students should be working on assigned learning tasks during the school day.
Staff are required to check email hourly to assist with any questions related to the eLearning lessons.
Supporting Students with Special Needs
Special Education Students
Special Education students will continue to receive appropriate services during eLearning days. Special education teachers and instructional aides will be available by phone or email to assist with learning and provide respective support services.
Related service providers will either provide services remotely or reschedule missed minutes.
Bilingual Students
English Learners
English Learners will continue to receive appropriate services during eLearning days. Bilingual Education teachers and bilingual instructional aides will be available by phone or email to assist with learning, and teachers will provide translated materials as appropriate.
Internet Accessibility Concerns
If a student is unable to access the Internet at home, the parent should contact the student’s school and report the issue so the student is marked present for the day. The District recognizes that all students may not be able to access material at the same time and place. As a result, teachers will provide flexible timelines for completion if a student does not have sufficient Internet access or has other circumstances which prevent students from completing and submitting any assigned work during the eLearning day.
The District will provide hard copy handouts of online content whenever possible with the added grace period upon return to school for those activities requiring links to online content.
Students can work on content “offline” on any previously assigned tasks or documents, and “resync” upon the return to school.
Preparation for eLearning Days
District 126 provides its teachers, instructional aides, and students with district-issued devices. The District also provides ongoing training in the use of these devices, learning management systems, various software support programs, and instructional delivery in a one-to-one environment.
For access to this plan, please visit our website a https://www.zb126.org/
It is always our goal to keep our school buildings open for learning. However, e-Learning days will allow us to prioritize student and staff safety while providing continuity in education.
In partnership,
Dr. Jesse J. Rodriguez
Superintendent of Schools
______________________________________________________
Estimadas familias del Distrito 126:
La Junta de Educación adoptó un plan de aprendizaje electrónico para los años 2023-2026 que permite al distrito garantizar la continuidad de la educación en caso de que los estudiantes no estén físicamente presentes debido a un cierre de emergencia. La mayoría de las veces, se produce un cierre de emergencia debido a las inclemencias del tiempo. Como resultado, durante los meses de invierno, trabajaré cercanamente con los distritos escolares locales para monitorear las condiciones del tiempo y asegurar que las decisiones relacionadas con el clima se tomen de manera oportuna siempre que sea posible.
Nuestro plan de aprendizaje electrónico aprobado garantiza que la educación continúe en estos días y permite que el distrito utilice hasta 5 días de aprendizaje electrónico de emergencia por año escolar sin que se produzcan cambios adicionales en el calendario académico.
En un día de aprendizaje electrónico, se espera que los estudiantes inicien sesión en su sistema de manejo de aprendizaje y se reporten presente antes de las 10:00 a.m. y completen las actividades de aprendizaje asignadas por sus maestros.
Cronograma de comunicación
Antes de la 1:00 p.m del día anterior
Si se anticipa un cierre debido a las inclemencias del tiempo que se acercan al área (por ejemplo, nevadas significativas o temperaturas bajo cero), el Distrito notificará a los estudiantes, el personal y las familias sobre un posible cierre que se está considerando. Esta notificación se realizará por correo electrónico, mensaje de texto, llamada automática y se publicará en la página web del distrito y en las páginas de redes sociales (@ZBPride).
Se recordará a los estudiantes que traigan a casa su dispositivos (computadora portátil) proporcionada por el distrito.
Se notificará al personal para que desarrolle una lección apropiada para eLearning y para que se lleve a casa sus dispositivos proporcionados por el distrito.
Cronograma de ELearning (aprendizaje en linea)
A las 5:30 a.m. el mismo día
El Distrito comunicará el estado del cierre a todo el personal y los estudiantes por correo electrónico, mensaje de texto, llamadas automáticas, y se publicará en el sitio web del distrito y las páginas de redes sociales (@ZBPride) antes de esta hora.
A las 8:30 am el mismo día
Los maestros publicarán todas las lecciones en el sistema de manejo de aprendizaje de la escuela (Canvas). Estas lecciones deben incluir 45 minutos de actividades de aprendizaje para cada clase, reflejarán los temas de estudio actuales y se alinearán con las metas y objetivos del plan de estudios.
El enlace de asistencia se publicará en Canvas para que los estudiantes lo completen cuando comiencen su día escolar.
Asistencia de los estudiantes y día escolar
A las 10:00 am el mismo día
Todos los estudiantes deben registrarse a través del formulario de asistencia publicado en Canvas.
8:30 a.m .-- 2:30 p.m. el mismo día
Los estudiantes deben trabajar en las tareas de aprendizaje asignadas durante el día escolar.
Se requiere que el personal revise el correo electrónico cada hora para ayudar con cualquier pregunta relacionada con las lecciones de eLearning.
Apoyando a los estudiantes con necesidades especiales
Estudiantes de educación especial
Los estudiantes de educación especial continuarán recibiendo los servicios apropiados durante los días de aprendizaje electrónico. Los maestros de educación especial y los asistentes de instrucción estarán disponibles por teléfono o correo electrónico para ayudar con el aprendizaje y proporcionar los servicios de apoyo respectivos.
Los proveedores de servicios relacionados proporcionarán servicios de forma remota o reprogramarán los minutos perdidos.
Estudiantes bilingües
Los estudiantes bilingües emergentes continuarán recibiendo los servicios apropiados durante los días de eLearning. Los maestros de educación bilingüe y los asistentes de instrucción bilingües estarán disponibles por teléfono o correo electrónico para ayudar con el aprendizaje, y los maestros proporcionarán materiales traducidos según corresponda.
Preocupaciones sobre la accesibilidad a Internet
Si un estudiante no puede acceder el Internet en casa, los padres deben comunicarse con la escuela del estudiante e informar el problema para que el estudiante esté marcado presente ese día. El Distrito reconoce que es posible que todos los estudiantes no puedan acceder al material al mismo tiempo y en el mismo lugar. Como resultado, los maestros proporcionarán tiempo flexible para completar tareas si un estudiante no tiene suficiente acceso a Internet o tiene otras circunstancias que impiden que los estudiantes completen y presenten cualquier trabajo asignado durante el día de eLearning.
El distrito proporcionará folletos impresos del contenido en línea siempre que sea posible con el período de gracia adicional al regresar a la escuela para aquellas actividades que requieran enlaces a contenido en línea.
Los estudiantes pueden trabajar en el contenido "sin conexión" en cualquier tarea o documento previamente asignado, y "resincronizar" al regresar a la escuela.
Preparación para los días de eLearning
El Distrito 126 proporciona a sus maestros, asistentes de instrucción y estudiantes Chromebooks proporcionadas por el distrito. El Distrito también brinda capacitación continua en el uso de Chromebooks, sistemas de administración de aprendizaje, varios programas de soporte de software y entrega de instrucción en un ambiente de uno a uno.
Para acceder a este plan, visite nuestra página web en www.zb126.org.
Nuestro objetivo siempre es mantener nuestros edificios escolares abiertos para el aprendizaje. Sin embargo, los días de e-Learning nos permitirán priorizar la seguridad de los estudiantes y el personal mientras brindamos continuidad en la educación.
Sinceramente,
Dr. Jesse J. Rodríguez
Superintendente de escuelas