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‘No justifiable basis’ for Chavez test accommodations
Written by Nancy Mitchell on Dec 7th, 2009. | Copyright © EdNewsColorado.org
PRESS RELEASE BY DR. LAWRENCE AND ANNETTE HERNANDEZ
For immediate release, December 7, 2009:
We have learned of press releases issued today regarding the results of an audit conducted by Caveon Security of the CSAP testing procedures at Cesar Chavez Academy and Dolores Huerta Preparatory High. Notably, neither of us were interviewed or contacted regarding the audit, and we therefore have no personal knowledge of the overall process and integrity of the audit. Nonetheless, overall we believe that the audit results vindicate students and faculty at CCA and DHPH, and disprove previous unfounded allegations of improper conduct at the schools. Most notable is the press release and audit summary document issued by the Colorado Department of Education. As set forth by the CDE, key findings from the audit include the following:
• There was no evidence of any form of testing irregularity at DHPH.
• There was no evidence of answer sheet tampering at CCA.
• There was no evidence of test coaching at CCA.
• There was no evidence of unusual gains from prior years at CCA.
• There was no evidence of unexpectedly high scores at CCA.
• There were unusual numbers of extra-time accommodations granted to CCA students in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
o Extra-time accommodations for the CSAP are permitted by state law, and, as noted in the audit, eligibility for such accommodations at CCA were determined by a committee during these years, and provided for by proctors.
o While the audit determined that there were comparatively higher numbers of extra-time accommodations granted at CCA during these years, there was no evidence that the extra-time accommodations resulted in improved test scores for CCA students.
Unfortunately, both the Pueblo City School District and the President of the CCA and DHPH Boards have issued press releases choosing to focus on the limited negative findings, and continue their unfounded personal attacks against us. The press release from Dennis Feuerstein, President of the CCA and DHPH Boards, stated that the audit criticisms regarding extra-time accommodations were “practices mandated by prior administration that are no longer associated with our schools.” To the extent that Mr. Feuerstein’s statement was expressly or impliedly referring to either of us, we strenuously dispute any such allegation or implication, and believe that the following points are relevant to this issue:
• While we were employed as executives at CCA and DHPH, the only “practice” that we ever “mandated” was strict compliance with all applicable laws. We did not condone or in any way authorize any improper accommodations, we attempted to assure that all testing was carried out pursuant to the requirements of Colorado state law, and we were not aware of any improper accommodations with regard to CSAP testing. To our knowledge, all testing at CCA and DHPH was done in full compliance with state law.
• Pursuant to state law, the ultimate authority and accountability for CSAP testing rests with the District Assessment Coordinator.
• At CCA, the responsibility for oversight and implementation of CSAP testing rested with specified Site Assessment Coordinators. Dr. Hernandez was not a SAC for CCA after 2005, and Ms. Hernandez never had any SAC responsibility at CCA. For the years at issue in the audit (2007-2009), all of the CCA SACs signed a written statement that they had read all relevant policies and instruction manuals regarding CSAP accommodations, and that they would comply with all applicable policies, procedures and requirements.
• Contrary to the plain implication of the statement from Board President Stephanie Garcia in the School District press release, at no time did either of us ever mislead any CCA students or families regarding the students’ academic performance, and we are highly offended by these unwarranted and untrue allegations.
• Notably, neither the CDE press release nor the audit summary make any findings the either of us mandated or were responsible for any policies or actions that may have resulted in the number of extra-time accommodations at CCA during 2007-2009. Accordingly, the contrary statements and implications contained in the press releases from the CCA Board President and the School District are wholly unfounded and without merit.
We are very proud of the students and faculty at CCA, and we congratulate them on their exoneration as a result of the audit findings. It is unfortunate that Stephanie Garcia and Dennis Feuerstein have chosen to highlight the negatives, and attempted to twist the audit findings to further attack us and our reputations. From the day we founded CCA nearly ten years ago, our focus has always been on supporting and encouraging the wonderful students, families and faculty at CCA, and we encourage the entire community to continue to do so.
Dr. Lawrence and Annette Hernandez, Pueblo, Colorado
Nonetheless whatever happens some stigma will hang over everyone who took the tests now, which is a shame. Life’s unfair sometimes.
BB
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