Acceleration Denied
What happens when you audit a school district's math program and find they can't add?
A data-driven investigation into Oak Park District 97's acceleration barriers.
This blog exists for one reason:
To publicly document and hold Oak Park District 97 accountable until my daughter—and every advanced student—gets appropriate challenge in their public school.
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The Acceleration Gap: 276 to 26
When I started investigating why my daughter didn't qualify for math acceleration, I discovered public data revealing a stunning 10:1 disparity. This is how a simple question became a full investigation.
When Ready Isn't Enough: How Rubrics Measure the Wrong Things
My daughter was ready for 3rd grade math—confirmed by teachers, proven through advanced coursework, scoring 99th percentile on above-grade testing. The rubric said she wasn't qualified because she got 'Meets' instead of 'Excels' on her 1st grade report card. Here's what that reveals about measuring the wrong things.
The Feedback Loop: How Bad Rubrics Create Their Own Crisis
When accelerated students struggle, districts respond by raising the bar. But if you're measuring the wrong thing, raising the bar doesn't fix the problem—it creates a vicious cycle that blocks ready students while still accelerating unprepared ones. Here's how Oak Park District 97's rubric reveals a system stuck in its own feedback loop.
The Last Resort: When a Simple Question Requires a FOIA Request
I asked a simple question three times: What research supports your acceleration rubric thresholds? After three months of non-answers, I filed a Freedom of Information Act request. Here's what that reveals about transparency, accountability, and whether districts actually follow the law requiring 'research-based' acceleration practices.
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View all posts →What the FOIA Revealed
On December 15, 2025, Oak Park District 97 responded to my FOIA request about their acceleration rubric. Here's what the documents show.
In Memoriam: District 97's Superintendents (2021-2026)
A brief remembrance of Oak Park District 97's superintendent leadership structures, 2021-2026. We hardly knew ye. Literally.
The Leveling Down: When Optics Replace Outcomes
In 2017, Oak Park District 97 eliminated its elementary math acceleration program. The result: advanced students' scores declined, everyone else stayed the same. Nobody benefited. Meanwhile, universities now teach college students to divide fractions. Here's what happens when schools prioritize looking good over doing good.
The Authority Vacuum: How Superintendent Churn Creates Risk-Averse Principals
Oak Park District 97 has had four different leadership structures in four years. When superintendents come and go, principals stop making decisions. And students pay the price.
The Admission: When 'State Law' Becomes 'We Just Don't Want To'
For weeks, the district claimed state law required them to deny assessment access. Then, in one sentence, the Assistant Superintendent admitted the truth: 'State law and ISBE guidance do not prohibit school districts from administering assessments.' The denial was never about law. It was always a choice.