Maryland investigates claim of inappropriate help on diploma-related projects #MCPS #RMHS

Maryland education officials are investigating a teacher’s allegations that improper help was given on student projects required for high school graduation in suburban Montgomery County, according to statements and emails related to the incident.

Brian Donlon, a social studies teacher at Richard Montgomery High School, told the state he observed inappropriate assistance on “bridge projects,” which students complete to qualify for a diploma when they do not pass state-required exams.

Donlon said in an interview he noticed a small group of students using a worksheet designed to help them organize a bridge project in government, but it had been filled in for them in advance. The sheet did not fully give answers but significantly guided the students, he said, which he considers cheating.

“If a student was taking an actual test and I walked over and gave the student some guidance toward the answer, I think this is exactly the same thing,” he said. “It’s a highly improper level of assistance.”..

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/maryland-investigates-claim-of-inappropriate-help-on-diploma-related-projects/2020/01/20/6df0cbc2-322c-11ea-a053-dc6d944ba776_story.html