Testing impropriety claims against former Male High counselor substantiated

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The former guidance counselor at Louisville Male High School failed to ensure a proper testing environment and during the administration of the ACT Compass test in the fall of 2013, according to an investigation conducted by Jefferson County Public Schools.

District investigators found that Rhonda Branch "failed to ensure the security and integrity of the ACT Compass Assessment" by installing and utilizing the practice test "in the manner in which it was used." They also found that the testing environment in "lab room 108" was not conducive in "protecting the integrity of the test."

Investigators also found that Branch violated testing assessment rules when she "provided students with scratch paper to use during testing" and that during testing, she violated rules that state "administrators shall not engage in any behavior that would assist the students in understanding or responding to any item on the test."

JCPS spokesman Ben Jackey told WDRB News Wednesday afternoon that Branch has been "directed to participate in a minimum of three hours of Administrative Code Training as recommended by KDE. She is also directed to participate in ethics training and adhere to all acceptable and appropriate assessment practices as outlined by the Kentucky Board of Education and the Kentucky Department of Education."

In addition, Jackey said Branch will be reassigned to another school counseling position as her "superiors feel that it is best for the learning and counseling environment at Louisville Male High School."

The investigation was completed Sept. 8, however JCPS did not release it until Wednesday; it was obtained by WDRB News through an open records request.

Jackey said the district's investigation was "ongoing" because there had not been a "determination of final action."

JCPS removed Branch along with two other Male High School staff members from the school in May while they investigated. The two others include former principal David Mike, who was later fired by the district, and Debbie Greenberg, who retired in June.

Mike, Greenberg and Branch still face a proceeding before the Kentucky Educational Standards Board as a result of a Kentucky Department of Education investigation.The board, which controls teacher certifications, acts mostly in secret when handling disciplinary cases, so it's hard to determine where exactly the cases against the three educators stand.

Mike is currently fighting to get reinstated at JCPS. A tribunal hearing being conducted now will determine whether he gets his job back.

Reporter Antoinette Konz can be reached at 585-0838 or @tkonz on Twitter.