Evidence implicates three teachers in testing improprieties

Independent investigators hired by the Houston Independent School District have released a report outlining their findings regarding charges against test administrators at Charles Atherton Elementary School who have been under investigation.  The report implicates three Atherton teachers of testing improprieties on the spring 2013 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR).

The results come after a nearly five month investigation. The three employees implicated in this report will be recommended for termination by HISD.  The full report and its findings will be presented to the Texas Education Agency as required by law.

“Testing helps the district measure the degree to which students are learning. It is, therefore, imperative that we have access to reliable and unbiased test results,” said HISD Superintendent Terry Grier.  “We take these findings very seriously and will present the information to authorities for their review and consideration. State law requires the district to report test security violations to the Texas Education Agency.”

The district expects to receive a complete report by the end of the month on the 11 teachers from Jefferson Elementary School who are also under investigation for possible student testing irregularities by the end of the month.