Eastern High's Missing Scores Scrutinized

D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee has launched an inquiry into missing scores from a standardized test taken by 10th-graders at Eastern Senior High School in the spring.

The investigations unit of the school system's security office has questioned staff at the school, but no one has been disciplined for the error because the inquiry continues.

According to sources familiar with the situation, after students took the week-long D.C. Comprehensive Assessment in April, the completed answer sheets were boxed up and placed in a storage room before they were sent to McGrawHill, the testing company, to be graded.

But McGraw-Hill told the chancellor's office during the summer that the company never received Eastern's test papers.

Under the federal No Child Left Behind law, students take standardized tests annually to determine whether their schools are making adequate yearly progress. School systems must report the results to the public.

The Eastern test mystery is an example of the accountability issues Rhee hopes to solve through a reorganization of the central office.

Each District school has a test committee, selected by the principal, to administer the exam. Eastern also had a "solution team," a pair of administrators from the central office, on site. But neither group immediately discovered the error.

In response to inquiries about the Eastern scores, Mafara Hobson, a spokeswoman for Rhee, wrote in an e-mail: "This investigation is on going and we hope to have a determination in the coming weeks."

Beginning Oct. 1, State Superintendent Deborah A. Gist will oversee the administration of the exam, including the security procedures for collecting test booklets, scoring of the tests and the release of the scores. Gist said through a spokesman that the Eastern situation was "very disconcerting" and pledged rigorous oversight this year.

The test problem occurred under acting principal, Willie Lamb. The school's new interim principal, Monica Taylor, was told by the chancellor's office about the test issue when she was hired this summer. She has cooperated with the investigation.

Test tampering is not suspected, said William H. Caritj, assistant superintendent for accountability and assessment. "It's not an allegation of cheating," Caritj said. "We have no evidence of that."

On Wednesday, Taylor presided over Eastern's back-to-school night, where parents visited classes and listened to teachers and administrators describe programs available in the school.

Taylor said she has revamped the test committee, which will hold its first meeting next week to outline new procedures for this year. She also wants to launch a redesigned school Web site.

Described by several school staff members as an upbeat, capable leader, Taylor said she is making plans for Eastern despite the test issue.

"I'm really trying to put a positive face on Eastern this year," she said. "We're moving forward."