CRCT Investigation Report: University Community Academy | Schools

University Community Academy
2050 Tiger Flowers Drive NW
Principal: Dr. Jim Harris
Testing Coordinator: Tammy Miller
SRT-4 Executive Director: Tamara Cotman

ATLANTA -- The Governor's Special Investigators who looked into reports of CRCT cheating in Atlanta Public Schools determined that cheating took place at University Community Academy in 2008 and 2009.

One teacher, Christine Clyne, admitted to providing students with answers when they raised their hands during the test. Her proctor claimed to be "unaware of what she was doing." (330) The report states that Clyne had a history of cheating during tests while teaching at another school several years ago.

Haron Wood, who served as a CRCT proctor in 2008 and 2009, implicated two more teachers. He told investigators that Melvin McClain walked around his sixth grade classroom and "blatantly" provided answers to low-performing students, and that Wanda Nevett used voice inflection to tell students the correct answers. Wood also said that Nevett became impatient when students took too long to answer test questions and said, "What is taking so long, the answer is ____."

When questioned by investigators, McClain denied cheating and said that his students' high scores were "due to his 'teaching to the test' methodology and emphasis on the CRCT coach book." He also referred to himself as "the disciplinarian of the school." (332)

Nevett initially denied cheating, but later admitted that she erased stray marks from students' answer sheets.

Another teacher accused of cheating, Wanda Williams, told investigators that "if anyone claimed she provided answers to students, they were lying." She said that she erased stray marks but never changed answers. (333)

Principal Jim Harris denied knowing that cheating occurred at UCA. He acknowledged hiring Clyne despite her history, but said that he never pressured her or any other teacher to improve test scores. (331)

The investigation concluded that Clyne, Wood, McClain, Williams and Nevett all cheated and that Harris "failed in his responsibility" of "ensuring the ethical administration of, and proper security for, the 2009 CRCT." (334)

Roger Bruce is listed as current president of UCA on the school's website.

Read the full investigation here
Atlanta Public Schools CRCT Investigation