Investigation uncovers students' grades were changed at HISD's Furr High School
HOUSTON, TX - HISD officials say that an investigation spearheaded into Furr High School uncovered that grades were altered to give students a passing grade at end of the semester. Principal Bertie Simmons was temporarily relieved of duties last October. Simmons employment status with Houston Independent School District is now "a personnel matter," according to HISD officials.
"High School administrators engaged in conduct that contradicts the district’s mission of providing quality instruction and producing global graduates, " stated HISD spokesman, Lorena Cozzari. The investigation revealed the following, according to HISD officials:
- Grade changes that did not comply with the state law concerning the finality of a teacher’s grade were made. In some instances, grades for classes were changed by administrators without the knowledge of the teachers who taught the classes.
- Teachers were instructed not to assign grades below 50 percent, regardless of student performance or completion of assigned tests and assignments.
- Grades were changed at the end of the semester for the purpose of what appeared to give students passing grades that the students had not earned.
- Attendance records were changed for unauthorized reasons and credits were awarded for classes when students had not met the attendance requirement.