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Fort Collins Teacher Accused Of Giving Students Hints During CSAP Testing

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (CBS4)- A teacher in Fort Collins is accused of giving hints to her students during CSAP tests.

Julie Pfeifer teaches math at Webber Middle School. She is accused of coaching her students before the Colorado Student Assessment Program test was administered.

"I thought what I did was best for the kids. There was no cheating. No hints. That's disgusting. That's got to be diffused right now," said Pfeifer.

The superintendent of the Poudre School District sent a letter to the school board recommending that Pfeifer be fired for violating CSAP rules while administering the test in March.

The district has since thrown out the math test results for 23 middle school students, stating the teacher used test session time before the test to review material that would be on the test. They also claim Pfeifer advised students to use the centimeter side of their ruler during the test. It is also alleged that she hinted to at least three students that they should reconsider their answers on the test.

Pfeifer has been teaching in the district for more than 22 years and was awarded teacher of the year 2004.

Parents and Pfeifer's former students supported her at Tuesday night's school board meeting.

"I just don't see why you would take CSAP's and put that above her excellence as a teacher," said parent Laura Guice. "It's an outrage. We're not talking about some teacher who should have retired 10 years ago. We're talking about an amazing teacher."

"I think there's a bigger issue. I feel like I'm being used as an example," said Pfeifer. "That if you possibly make a mistake or a perceived mistake on the CSAP you could be fired. They seem to be abusing power. I don't think I made a mistake."

The school administration declined to make a statement on camera, but did say the superintendent's recommendation is the first step in a hearing process that will determine whether Pfeifer will lose her job.

"Most of the kids in the room were not my students. What would be my motivation to hurt myself and my family, who I love so much, and my kids?" asked Pfeifer.

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