Investigation Continues Into Possible Cheating At Baltimore Schools
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A possible cheating scandal involving Baltimore City schools continues. Now several additional schools could soon be under investigation by the state.
Gigi Barnett has details.
A new batch of Baltimore City schools linked to possible test tampering on standardized exams.
"As of today, we know that at least eight schools I am forwarding for investigation," said City Schools CEO Dr. Andres Alonso.
This comes after school leaders unveiled the results of an 18-month probe last week. It confirmed cheating at Abbottston and Forth Worthington elementaries.
State investigators uncovered suspicious erasure patterns, numerous changes from incorrect to correct answers and a high number of erased answers.
Alonso became suspicious after test results released this week show a drastic drop in scores and inconsistencies on exams.
"It just changes the nature of the conversation about standards for adults. I think our standards for adults need to be rethought," Alonso said.
Alonso won't reveal the eight schools until a state investigation is complete.
"I am emphatically saying that the buck isn't going to stop at the principal," Alonso said.
Jimmy Gittings is the principals' union president. He fears principals will take the fall.
"I am not going to sit back and have our principals take the full brunt of this," he said.
A similar test tampering scandal unfolded last year at George Washington Elementary after a parent complained.
