NATIONAL high school test results have been rising in Illinois during recent years and area school districts have seen similar positive trends.

Annual "School Report Cards" in Illinois do not tell the whole story, but highlight the efforts of students, teachers, administrators and parents. The annual reports also show that local education costs are comparatively low.

Adams County schools had composite ACT test scores that ranged from 18.7 to 22.3 for the graduating class of 2009. That compares to a state ACT rate of 20.6.

Those figures mean more when compared to the statistics from 2002 when the statewide score was 19.9. In addition, those 2002 tests were a sampling from students planning to attend college. The newer figures represent scores for all students -- thanks to mandatory testing of high school students regardless of their plans for higher education.

Three of the five school districts serving Adams County reported adequate yearly progress -- a two-year glimpse at measurable student progress. The other two districts did not suffer major setbacks, but failed to show two successive years of advances in key areas.

School report cards show that teachers in Adams County received average annual pay that ranged from $40,271 at Liberty to $45,409 at Quincy. The statewide annual pay averaged $61,402.

Local graduation rates are higher than statewide percentages.

Annual report cards for school districts are helpful in tracking annual improvements, or pointing out areas where more emphasis is needed.

Schools, in turn, should strive to help students succeed in college, trade schools or the work force.