Philadelphia School District Responds To PSSA Allegations
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Pennsylvania Education Department is receiving responses from dozens of school districts across the Commonwealth, including the School District of Philadelphia, that were ordered to look into scoring irregularities on 2009 state standardized test scores.
All told, while 28 schools in Philadelphia were flagged, the School District says it will drill down deeper in looking at 13 which had big upward moves in math and reading scores.
Dan Piotrowski, The District's Executive Director of Accountability and Assessment, wants to reserve judgement until a forensic analysis is done of the 2010 and 2011 state standardized tests.
"We want to go in with a full set of questions to see if patterns are repeated in multiple years at some of these schools, or if it was isolated. Those are things were don't know right now."
Fran Newberg, Deputy Chief of Accountability, says they are taking the allegations seriously and will pursue any cheating.
Newberg also says it is important to acknowledge the integrity and hard work of most principals and teachers.
Reported by Steve Tawa, KYW Newsradio 1060
