The State Law Enforcement Division is investigating allegations of cheating on the High School Assessment Program (HSAP) test.
The fourteen students from the Darlington High School class at the heart of testing allegations retook and passed the test.
The HSAP is the high school exit exam for South Carolina students and students must pass the test in order to graduate.
An anonymous letter accused the school of testing irregularities with the HSAP test. http://www.carolinalive.com/news/story.aspx?id=749112#.T75Ew9UV2R0
The Darlington County School District conducted an internal investigation and gave that information to the South Carolina Department of Education. The South Carolina Department of Education and the school district decided the best way to alleviate questions about the testing process was to have all fourteen students from the one classroom retake the HSAP test.
Employees of the South Carolina Department of Education administered the test, monitored the room, collected the results and delivered the testing materials to the testing contractor.
Tuesday, the district was notified all fourteen students passed the second test.
"I never doubted these students could pass this test. I've seen how hard these students have worked, coming in for tutoring after school, on Saturdays, and individually with teachers," said Dr. Greg Harrison, principal of Darlington High School, in a press release. "I was proud of the Falcon 14 before this allegation because of their work ethics in preparing for this test, and I am honored to be the principal to hand them their diploma Friday."
The investigation into the testing irregularities will continue.
"We appreciate SLED coming in to look into these allegations," said Superintendent Rainey Knight. "The fact that these students passed HSAP not once but twice is very strong evidence to suggest that the school will be vindicated. These students passed the HSAP twice because of the work they did, the classes the teachers taught, and the leadership the principal provided."
Once SLED completes its investigation, it will provide the Department of Education with a report of its findings.
