NYC Invalidates 3rd Graders' Test Scores Amid Investigation

An internal investigation by New York City's Department of Education found the principal of a Harlem elementary school forged students' answer sheets for this year's state English tests. The investigation was released Monday, following news reports over the weekend.

The principal, Jeanene Worrell-Breeden, 49, killed herself soon after testing was completed at Teachers College Community School. She jumped in front of a subway train on April 17 and died a few days later.

The allegations were made against her the same day she killed herself.

According to the department, the Special Commissioner of Investigations for the public schools received an email complaint on April 17, alleging that Breeden acknowledged forging "multiple answers on multiple students' answer sheets for the Third Grade English Language Arts exam, administered on April 14."

The principal explained to this unnamed complainant "that she had done so because some students have not completed their tests."

The Office of Special Investigations interviewed the complainant and confirmed the allegations in May. But because Breeden died on April 25, no further disciplinary action could be taken and the investigation was closed. An interim principal was appointed.

“This is a difficult time for the TCCS school community, and we will provide ongoing support to students, families, and teachers,” department spokeswoman Devora Kaye said in a statement. "Ensuring the integrity of assessments for all New York City students is critical to measuring students’ progress and holding schools accountable."

Teachers College Community School is a partnership between the city and the college. The school opened in 2011; this was the first year it had children old enough to take the state tests. It received higher than average marks from teachers and parents on the city's annual survey, and a quality review by department praised "exceptional in-house support services."

Teachers College spokesman Jim Gardner said faculty members collaborated with the elementary school, which is situated on the campus, but it was run by the city. As a result, there was little he could say about the investigation.

“We at TC were shocked and saddened by these events," he said, adding that "because this was and remains an official D.O.E. matter we will continue to refer all questions concerning the investigation to the D.O.E.”

However, Nancy Streim, who worked closely with the school as TC's Associate Vice President for School and Community Partnerships, described its environment as one that sought to lower the anxiety around testing. "The school community was well aware that this was the first testing year for the school, but TCCS does not emphasize testing, as one sometimes sees in public schools," she said. "Principal Breeden would often say that if the educators are teaching well every day, then the children will be prepared for the test.

Breeden was a 25-year veteran of the city's public schools, and previously worked as a principal at two other schools. The New York Post reported that she had improperly billed the city for overtime pay while leading a school in the Bronx.

City Councilman Mark Levine, who represents the neighborhood, said in a statement that he remains a strong supporter of the school.

"The wonderful students, parents, and staff of TCCS have built a vibrant and remarkably diverse educational community that has quickly become one of the most sought-after schools in northern Manhattan," he said. "The tragic nature of Ms. Worrell-Breeden's passing should not in any way detract from that success."

He also cautioned against assuming there was a link between her death and city policy, "until more is known about the circumstances leading up to her final days."

While the city invalidated the third graders' scores they will still move on to fourth grade this fall.

Allegations of grade fixing are pretty rare at such an early grade level. Earlier this month, the principal of John Dewey High School was removed after a city investigation concluded she had engaged in grade inflation.

With reporting by the Associated Press