NEW: No Reason to Suspect RI Schools Cheated on Tests, Gist Says
Monday, March 26, 2012
The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) has no reason to suspect that cheating took place in four school districts identified by the Atlanta Journal Constitution as having “suspicious test scores,” according to Education Commissioner Deborah Gist.
The report suggested that the Coventry, East Providence, Providence and Woonsocket school districts all showed irregular testing patterns that deserved further investigation.
Gist’s full statement is below:
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
“The Atlanta Journal Constitution ran a news story today, “Cheating our Children,” which grew out of an investigation of a significant cheating scandal in the Atlanta schools. The story includes an analysis of test-score patterns on state assessments in 69,000 schools in 49 states.
“The analysis “flags” school districts in which test scores varied to an unusual degree from one year to the next. Districts in which more than 10 percent of classes had an unusual variation are identified by a flag. The report says: “Districts which consistently have 10 percent or more of their classes flagged or which have an extremely high flag rate in a particular year certainly deserve further examination.”
“The analysis found, among all school districts in Rhode Island over the past four years, only four instances in which there were unusual variations in test scores. In each instance, the variation was either a single-year event or not part of a consistent pattern of variations. Though we will review the assessment data from these districts, we have no reason to suspect any incident of testing irregularity in recent test administrations in Rhode Island.
“We have full confidence in the honesty and integrity of the educators and students in Rhode Island. We have in place detailed procedures for training our teachers in proper administration of state assessments. Our testing protocols also include procedures for reporting any irregularities in test administration. The R.I. Department of Education investigates all such allegations, as well as any unusual patterns of test scores. We have protocols in place regarding review of potential irregularities, and we have extensive materials to train educators regarding test administration. These protocols and materials are posted on our website: http://www.ride.ri.gov/Assessment/necap_testadminmanuals.aspx
“Over the past decade, we have found very few instances of significant testing irregularities. In three instances over the past decade, scores were disallowed as a result of these investigations and the educators involved were required to receive additional training in proper procedures for test administration.
“Every year, our teachers administer more than 200,000 state assessments, encompassing students in every school in Rhode Island. Our state assessments provide all of us with valuable information about the performance of our schools and about the achievement of our students.
“State assessments will continue to be an essential tool to help us improve teaching and learning across the state, and we will continue to work with our teachers and school leaders to ensure that our assessment system remains uncompromised.”
