State Education Department Launches Probe at Hartland's Creekside Over Possible MEAP Problem

The Michigan Department of Education is investigating over an allegation of improperly administering this year's MEAP test a week before the students actually take the exam, a spokesman for the department said Wednesday.

Martin Ackley wouldn't comment on the specific allegation, but said in the past, an example of misadministering the test has been when a teacher writes information related to the test on a blackboard.

"There are set protocol every school must follow," Ackley said, and when asked whether what's alleged could be cheating, he added, "It depends on what the investigation shows. We don't know what it was.

"The bottom line is we don't want any actions of adults to negatively affect students. … We want to ensure the integrity of the test."

The department acted after receiving an anonymous tip Tuesday and investigators have been at the school Tuesday and Wednesday, Ackley said. He said the MDE hopes to wrap up its probe before the test begins Tuesday and would use an emergency test if the investigation shows the exam has been compromised.

Ackley said if educators did anything wrong, it would be up to the district to conduct any discipline. The district may have to pay for emergency tests, if they are necessary and that cost depends on how many are needed. He said these type of problems are rare.

The Hartland School District is calling the allegation "irregularities" and noted the department must examine all tips, according to a statement released from Superintendent Janet Sifferman.

"They are in the district at Creekside Elementary talking with staff members," the statement said. "The district is awaiting the conclusion of their investigation and no additional statement will be given until this outcome has been received."

Last year, , Creekside improved in reading, but dropped in third grade math and fourth grade reading. There was no change in fourth grade math. In addition, the school didn't make federal in English language arts for students with disabilities, according to results. District officials said at the time they expected the result to be a one year blip because that specific student population was falling to the point it wouldn't be taken into account.

The school's principal, Tracey Sahouri, also has been under a cloud of controversy recently after she and her husband were ticketed over the summer after that included underage drinking. That case remains .