Test Results Thrown Out in 3 DC Classrooms Because of Alleged Cheating
By BOB BARNARD/myfoxdc
Updated: Thursday, 19 May 2011, 11:31 PM EDT
WASHINGTON – There is more fallout from the standardized test score scandal rocking D.C. Public Schools. Three elementary school teachers are now accused or suspected of cheating.
At issue is the 2010 DC Comprehensive Assessment System or CAS Test.
Three classrooms (out of 3,800 across the city) just had test results thrown out because of alleged cheating.
“At one [classroom], there was clear evidence of cheating and the teacher admitted it,” says D.C. State Superintendent of Education Hosanna Mahaley. “In the other two, there was a suspicion of cheating. But because we take test security so seriously, we decided to invalidate those test scores as well.”
She would not name the three schools involved, but sources tell FOX 5 they are C.W. Harris, Leckie and Noyes Elementary Schools.
One teacher has been dismissed. The other two are being disciplined.
“There’s a lot of pressure,” Mahaley says. “And I believe that most teachers want to do the right thing and sometimes just in the interest of trying to be helpful to children, a teacher may do something that may not be appropriate.”
Their union president says teachers are under a great deal of pressure when it comes to testing.
“Unfortunately, some individuals will consider an option of cheating,” says Washington Teachers Union President Nathan Saunders. “Not only is the teacher evaluation based on it to a large degree, but there’s also compensation. If the grades go up, then you’ll get an additional compensation.”
(Excerpt) Read more at myfoxdc.com …
