Cheating on ACT confirmed in Perry County

The Hazard-Herald reports that the ACT, Incorporated has concluded its investigation into alleged cheating in Perry County high schools and found that there was improper activity in both the Perry County Central High School and the Buckhorn High School.

Not many details have been publicly released, but that may be due to the fact that the Kentucky Department of Education indicates the case has been turned over to investigative agencies such as the Attorney General’s office and the Educational Professional Standards Board (which grants, and revokes, professional teacher and principal certifications).

The Educational Professional Standards Board confirmed to the newspaper that it now has a complaint pending.

The wrongdoing involves extremely important tests that tell students if they are on track for preparation for college and careers.

So far, the students – who were found innocent of any wrong-doing by the ACT – are the only ones who have suffered. Many of the recent PLAN and ACT scores have been invalidated, and students must retake the tests. That could seriously impact students’ planning for college.

Hopefully, the guilty parties will be identified and receive proper punishment for their wrong-doing. Among their other faults, these misbehaving adults have presented their students with an extraordinarily bad lesson about acceptable behavior.