Repercussions for providing TAKS assistance

A complaint was filed with the State Board for Educator Certification against a teacher, alleging that several fifth grade students claimed to have received assistance during previous TAKS tests. The students had obtained a 100% passage rate and 100% commended performance on the most recent TAKS test. The district learned, based on interviews with students, that the teacher had provided assistance to the students, and TEA invalidated the test scores. 

At a sanctioning hearing, TEA offered evidence that the average of five erasures made by each of the teacher’s students far exceeded the state average of 0.14 erasures per student. The decision noted that 92% of the erasures made by the teacher’s students changed a previously incorrect answer to a correct answer and that multiple students testified that the teacher pointed out incorrect answers with his finger, gave a “thumbs up” to correct answers, and carried around a paper with answers that he provided students.

The hearing examiner concluded that the teacher had committed a “serious testing violation,” defined as a failure to observe the requirements of test administration in a manner that involves dishonesty, or intent to affect the test score of a student, or action that is calculated to affect the accountability rating of a school district or campus. The State Board for Educator Certification revoked the educator’s teaching certificate.