Celebrated Denver School Under Scrutiny For CSAP Scores
DENVER (CBS4)- A celebrated school in Denver is being investigated amid questions about CSAP scores.
It's one of two schools facing allegations of cheating to inflate student scores. Those schools are Hallett Fundamental Academy and Beach Court Elementary.
Principals at both schools are on administrative leave.
The scores in question come from spring 2011 CSAP scores. The district won't confirm the schools involved but sources tell CBS4 that Beach Court Elementary, praised for its exceptional student achievement, is one of the schools under investigation.
"In the very, very limited number of instances where there were statistically unusual results, we felt it was important for the state to look into that," said Denver Public Schools Superintendent Tom Boasberg.
Boasberg said several numbers factored into the analysis of the scores and the Colorado Department of Education was asked to review the results when they came back above average.
"When we did this analysis looking at how many, for example, erasures there were of wrong answers that were erased and made in to right answers," said Boasberg.
The trade publication EdNews Colorado reports that the second school involved is Hallett Fundamental Academy.
DPS said it's too early to know if scores were tampered with or if the results can be logically explained.
"If anything improper has occurred there will certainly be accountability," said Boasberg.
The investigation is being handled by a third party. It should wrap up within the next few weeks.
