WASHINGTON, D.C.—District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) Chancellor Kaya Henderson announced today DCPS will support an Office of the State Superintendent of Education led independent investigation into 2011 DC CAS results to be conducted by Alvarez and Marsal Public Sector Services, LLC.

WTU President Nathan A. Saunders said in response:

“While the selection of a vendor to investigate 2011 DC CAS results is definitely a step in the right direction, we are concerned by the slow response and glacial pace of the investigation.

“It is truly troubling to know that another school year will be soon coming to a close, yet we are no closer to a resolution.  We are willing and ready to work with D.C. Public Schools to bring this matter to a close, so we both can move forward with the business of educating students and improving the quality of support and resources for D.C. teachers.

“WTU takes this matter very seriously and does not support any teacher involved in testing impropriety.  However, this is a direct by-product and an unfortunate reality of so-called data driven education reform.

“With similar incidents in Atlanta, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Los Angeles this is clearly not an anomaly and will continue to plague school districts throughout the country as this testing-obsessed culture spreads.”

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About the Washington Teachers’ Union: The Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) represents more than 5,000 active and retired teachers in Washington D.C. WTU is dedicated to fulfilling a commitment to build great minds by improving the quality of support, resources, compensation and working conditions for public servants and proud teachers who educate students in D.C. Public Schools. To learn more, please visit www.wtulocal6.org.