ISTEP cheating could affect accreditation

The Indiana Department of Education has ruled that ISTEP+ preparation materials used by Shakamak Elementary School third- and sixth-grade teachers too closely replicated the actual test, giving students an unfair advantage.

Fall 2004 ISTEP+ scores for those grade levels will be invalidated, according to a letter written to Metropolitan School District of Shakamak Superintendent Mike Turner by Wes Bruce, assistant superintendent for the DOE Center for Assessment, Research, and Information Technology.

It could affect the school's accreditation.

"Your findings represent multiple, significant, and direct violations of the Indiana Code of Ethical Testing Practices and Procedures," Bruce stated in the letter. "The results of the third- and sixth-grade ISTEP+ tests given at Shakamak Elementary School are not a valid representation of the achievement of those students."

Turner said he can't comment on the effects of the invalidation until he gets official notice from the DOE. That notice may not come until time for the 2005 test to be administered, according to Mary Tiede Wilhelmus, communications director for DOE.

Wilhelmus said the situation will be covered in the discussion session at the state board's June meeting, but it's not on the business agenda. There's no meeting in July, so their August meeting will be the next opportunity to put it on the agenda, she explained. That will make it September, at least, before any action is taken regarding the school's accreditation. However, she added, the accreditation decision will not impact administration of the test.

"It's an unfortunate situation," Wilhelmus said. "But the corporation cooperated with us and conducted a thorough investigation. It's just unfortunate for the kids that they didn't get to show what they learned."

She added that giving the test appropriately is a legal condition for accreditation. She said Bruce's letter clearly delineates what school administrators and staff need to do in advance of the 2005 ISTEP+ exam.

"I will be sending a letter out from my office to parents of all children involved," Turner said.

About 120 students in the two grades were impacted in the 500-student grade school.

Part of the corrective action includes notification of parents, assessment of the affected students' performance and recommendation of remediation where needed. The school also must submit to DOE the ISTEP+ testing schedule by Sept. 1 each year; create roles and responsibilities for building principals and provide the list to DOE; inspect ISTEP+ materials and determine none remain with MSDS staff; recover remaining copies of 2004 test preparation materials and provide them to DOE, along with results of the inspection; and establish an administrative process for prior review and approval of future test preparation materials and provide proof to DOE.

Wilhelmus said any disciplinary action of personnel will be taken at the corporation level.

Shakamak Elementary School Principal Arthur Politz did not respond to a telephone request for an interview.