Fallout begins amid TAKS cheating accusations

GALENA PARK, TX

On Tuesday, at Normandy Crossing Elementary, administrators will meet with parents and update them about an investigation and talk to them about their children's TAKS test scores.

Meanwhile, five educators, including the Normandy Crossing Elementary Principal Dianne Edwards, have resigned regarding this investigation. Edwards has been working at the district for 29 years.

Galena Park ISD board members were briefed on the developments on this investigation during executive session.

The district's associate superintendent, Bourke Meagher, said the district has determined the testing environment at the elementary was severely compromised and test booklets were breached.

Fifth grade students also will have to retake the TAKS test in early June.

The two employees suspended last week have been cleared and will be able to return to the classroom but be reassigned to a different school starting next fall.

The district plans to hand over its findings to the state by Friday.

"We certainly are pleased that they are no longer affiliated with the Galena Park Independent School District," Meagher said. "We also feel a consort with TEA to have a greater responsibility to see that they do not have any future opportunities to impact student education."

Meagher said this incident at one elementary school could potentially impact the rating of the entire Galena Park ISD.

The state will decide whether it should revoke the certificates of those five employees who have now resigned.