Green Bay school under investigation for testing irregularities

GREEN BAY - The Green Bay School District confirmed Tuesday evening it is looking into alleged violations of standardized testing procedures.

Tuesday, district officials told FOX 11 that the district has been investigating Eisenhower Elementary for testing irregularities with the annual all-subject exam across known as the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination . The WKCE is given to public school students in grades 3 through 8 and grade 10.

State education officials are also looking into the matter.

Sometime during this school year, district officials say they began investigating some alleged issues with testing at Eisenhower Elementary School. The issues involved math tests for third, fourth, and fifth graders.

Superintendent Michelle Langenfeld sent a letter to the Department of Instruction on Jan. 27.

• Click here to read the district's letter to the DPI

The letter said the district found that a principal at one elementary school allowed teachers to preview test items, and the teachers then used some of the tests questions in practice tests. The letter also states there was a "systematic lack of professional learning regarding prohibited testing practices."

District officials told the DPI they have taken action. That includes letters of reprimand and reassignment for some administrators and staff involved.

The district's public relations manager, Amanda Brooker, would not confirm who specifically is being investigated, saying it's a personnel matter.

Claudia Orr was the principal at Eisenhower Elementary. She received the 2009 Milken Award, which nationally recognizes excellence in education. Within the past several weeks, Orr took a job with the school district office.

The Department of Public Instruction is now conducting its own investigation.

In a statement to FOX 11, DPI officials say the district acted pro-actively in the matter. The state will also provide recommendations for course of action, if any.

We tried to contact Orr, Langenfeld and School Board President Jean Marsh by email and by phone for comment. However, we could not reach them.

DPI officials said they would not answer any further questions because the investigation continues. And at this point, we don't know how long it will take.