Allegations of Cheating and Two-Tier Diplomas in Sweetwater Unfounded - 3/2/2011

California Department of Education completes investigation

Allegations that the Sweetwater Union High School District cheated on statewide testing and that two-tier diplomas are issued were completely without merit, a California Department of Education investigation has concluded.

In its findings delivered to the district Tuesday, state investigators found 100 percent of the students with disabilities in the district's Independent Study High School participated in statewide testing last year.

Additionally, the state concluded that the Sweetwater District issued one standard diploma for students graduating from comprehensive high schools and alternative high schools. Special education students who completed the prescribed course of study, and, as appropriate, passed the California High School Exit Exam also received a standard diploma.

Two former district alternative education teachers raised 14 allegations against the district last year. The state Department of Education discounted nine of the allegations, and did not investigate them. Of the remaining allegations, the two most serious allegations--of the district cheating and its issuance of a two-tier diploma for special education students--were also dismissed through the investigation.

In investigating the remaining three allegations, state investigators found


  1. there was inconsistent implementation in the procedure for special education students in Independent Study High School to access college-bound (a-g) classes at their comprehensive high school, and

  2. that there was inconsistent use of the proper forms when there was a meeting to discuss students' placement in Independent Study High School.

The final allegation - that the district failed to ensure the placement decision for special education students into Independent Study High School included those knowledgeable about the student - the district is disputing and will file an appeal.

"These allegations attempted to minimize the achievement of our students and the hard work of our teachers, said Sweetwater Superintendent Dr. Jesus M. Gandara. "The Sweetwater District has been vindicated. Of the remaining allegations, they are mostly procedural, and we will make every effort to strengthen our procedures."

Currently, more than 2,000 students attend one of 11 satellite campuses of the district's Independent Study High School. The focus of the state's investigation was on the 225 special education students enrolled in Independent Study High School.