Teacher backs claims of harassment

As the Clark County School District continues its probe into allegations of test coaching and altered test scores at Robert E. Lake Elementary School, another former teacher at the school is also claiming she was harassed by administrators.

Former teacher Barbara State's comments today followed allegations former teacher Ramona Johnson made in a Sun story regarding how she was treated at the school after she began questioning test scores.

The local investigation, which was prompted by Johnson's claims, is expected to be completed in about a week, Superintendent Brian Cram said today. The district began interviewing teachers Monday.

Johnson is alleging a teacher at the school provided her with a copy of the TerraNova exam booklet and that her investigation into test scores led to harassment on the job. Johnson said she questioned why students who scored highly on the third grade CBAP test did poorly on the fourth grade TerraNova test.

Additionally, Johnson displayed a copy of the TerraNova booklet as proof it was given to her.

State, who is in the process of moving to Minnesota to resume her teaching career, said she was harassed by administrators about her lesson plans.

"No matter what I did, I had to change them," State said. "Once, I was yelled at for not underlining the title of a book in my lesson plans. I call it harassment. I couldn't take it anymore. I was wasting all my time typing up letters defending myself."

State said she is still upset over leaving her job.

"I lay in my bed at night and dream that I'm back in the classroom, because the children love you and you love them," she said.

State, 55, was transferred to another school last January, then took a leave of absence in February before leaving the position in March.

Johnson and State both said they asked to be analyzed by psychologists, then put on medical leave.

"They tried to tell me I was delusional and paranoid," State said. "I don't think Ramona and I were paranoid. These things were actually happening."

A personnel staff member verified that State was hired by the district in January of 1992 and is currently on a leave of absence.

State said she was at Lake Elementary for nearly two years, before transferring to another school, where she was put on medical leave.

"The principals in the district stick together," State said.

Johnson also said she had an evaluation and was put on leave. She immediately resigned earlier this month.

"They were trying to railroad me," she said.

Among the counter-claims being made by school officials is that Johnson was not harassed and there appears to be no evidence of cheating on the TerraNova.

But school officials are still wondering how the booklet was released.

"Our question is who gave it to her and where this took place," Cram said.

After the local investigation is completed, the Nevada Department of Education is expected to conduct its own.

Meanwhile, Clark County School Board members are anxiously awaiting the outcome.

"This is something that needs to be thoroughly investigated and it's the job of the administration to do that," said Mary Beth Scow, School Board president.

Board member Ruth Johnson said anyone found responsible for ruining test integrity should be punished.

"There are consequences for students who are caught cheating on tests," said Johnson. "I hope we have the same policy for everyone else. If this is true, this is not the kind of example we want teachers or administrators to set for children."

Apparently, guidelines to preserve test security were not followed, Johnson said.

"This is an example of something that is either the School Board's fault or the superintendent's fault," Johnson said. "If we were clear about our expectations, things like this would not happen. And if people can't carry out the expectations, then they are in the wrong job.

Board member Lois Tarkanian said she was not surprised about the allegations.

"These things will happen," said Tarkanian, who also said every measure should be taken to preserve the integrity of test scores. "Test scores are indelible on our curriculum and everything else we do."

But board member Sheila Moulton was cautious about making any statements.

"I have been appraised of this situation and was told there is more to it than what it seems," Moulton said. "I'll make a comment when I have more information."

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