State TPS investigation update - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Dr. Jerome Pecko was on vacation when new developments broke in the State investigation into whether TPS tweaked attendance numbers on the state tests.

The Auditor's office has announced it will investigate ODE, since several  school districts may have violated state regulations.

Dr. Pecko tells 13abc, "I am pleased that the auditor is going to take a look at not only what the school districts are doing but also what is going on down in Columbus. "   

TPS has hired a legal team to look into the case. 

TPS leaders believe the law is unclear on whether districts can throw out data belonging to truant students.

Dr. Pecko tells 13abc, "They think that things are a bit mottled and its not clear how school districts are suppose to be reporting students who are truant and they are asking for clarification."

Last week ODE announced it was dropping the Lockland School District's grade on the its report card, after a simiIar investigation.

Now the State Auditor's office wants to make sure that ODE is doing what its supposed to do as well. 

In a letter State Auditor Dave Yost writes, "It appears that attendance report rigging is not a localized problem with Columbus Public Schools, but that it may be more systematic --and that raises the question of what role ODE played during the time false reports were made by multiple schools."