Reports of test score doctoring in San Luis probed

State review requested by Gadsden district officials

SAN LUIS, Ariz. – The Arizona Department of Education is looking into allegations of changing scores on academic achievement tests given to students in the Gadsden Elementary School District, a spokesman for the state agency confirmed.

The Gadsden district asked for the review by the Department of Education in the wake of an anonymous social media post alleging the principal of Rio Colorado Elementary School in San Luis influenced one teacher and two long-term substitutes to falsify students scores on the AzMERIT test. The test is one of the factors used by the Department of Education in assigning an overall academic performance score to a school.

The anonymous post on Facebook alleged the district forced Principal Alma Castillo, a master teacher and two substitutes to resign after they admitted to doctoring the scores.

Castillo did not respond immediately to a request, but she cited personal reasons for resigning in an Aug. 22 letter of resignation to Gadsden Superintendent Ray Aguilera and the district’s governing board.

“For personal reasons I’m resigning from my current position of principal of Rio Colorado Elementary School,” she said in the letter, a copy of which was obtained by Bajo El Sol. “I need this time for my family.

“I have been with the district 15 years and very thankful for the opportunity to be part of this district.”

Aguilera denied the district forced anyone at the San Luis school to resign. He said the master teacher likewise resigned for personal reasons, while the two substitute positions were eliminated for budget

ary reasons.

Bajo El Sol was not able to reach the principal, teacher or substitutes for comment.

According to the Facebook post allegations, the principal altered student scores on paper test sheets and influenced the teacher to do the same for at least two years beginning in 2015-16.

Aguilera, however, said the scores could not have been doctored in that way because the test was administered by computer.

Stefan Swiat, public information officer for the Department of Education, said the Gadsden district contacted the department Aug. 22 with concerns about test score irregularities.

“I can confirm that the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) received a call from Gadsden School District officials asking us to look into irregularities with its tests scores,” Swiat said in an e-mail. “Since ADE has not completed its analysis, there is nothing formal I can really state publicly beyond that.”

The Facebook post alleges the educators were given the option of resigning or facing criminal charges and having their teaching licenses revoked by the Arizona Board of Education.

Aguilera said no such ultimatum was given to anyone.

Alicia Williams, executive director of the Board of Education, declined to comment about whether the state agency is investigating any allegations of test score manipulation.

“If that was the situation, by state statute it would have to have been reported to the agency, but in any case, the law prevents us from discussing any cases until there is a resolution by the board.”

Aguilera and Luis Marquez, president of the Gadsden Elementary School District Board, said the allegations contained in the Facebook posting are contrary to efforts made at Rio Colorado and other campuses in the district to improve student performance.

“We would ask the people (who hear such allegations) to come to the schools or come to us to get the truth, and not be misled by postings that are without basis,” Marquez said.

They called on the person or persons circulating the allegations to come forward with proof of what they are alleging.