Denver School Principal Out After CSAP Review
DENVER (CBS4/AP) - A Denver Public Schools principal is out after an investigation indicated an unusual number of students' answers on statewide tests had been changed, likely by administrators.
The Colorado Department of Education said Wednesday it has invalidated the 2010 and 2011 results of Beach Court Elementary students on the Colorado Student Assessment Program tests.
Meanwhile, Principal Frank Roti has been removed. His phone number isn't listed, and he couldn't be reached for comment.
Parents and students at Beach Court expressed their disbelief and support for Roti Wednesday evening.
"It's offensive and it's hard to believe," was Nicole Vigil's reaction. Her son goes to Beach Court.
The state says school administrators denied altering test answers.
Denver Public Schools had sought the review of CSAP results at two schools including Beach Court after finding statistically unusual scores. The state didn't find substantial wrongdoing at the other school.
But DPS Superintendent Tom Boasberg says it's clear tests at Beach Court had been altered.
"I think it's fair to say that there were thousands of test answers at Beach Court that were erased from incorrect answer to correct answers," Boasberg told CBS4's Valerie Castro.
"Beach Court is a very good school that was made to look into a truly extraordinary school."
DPS paid Roti a bonus for the those test scores. The district said he will need to repay $30,000.
But some emotional parents told Castro they will fight for Roti.
"He's aweome," Vigil said. "If he's not going to be here next year, my son won't be."
The state attorney general's office and an outside contractor conducted the investigation.
(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
