There's a dark cloud over UC San Diego's nationally recognized Preuss Charter School. An audit released today shows the school's principal and other employees knew about and even encouraged teachers to inflate the grades of their students. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.
University investigators conclude Preuss principal Doris Alvarez and a former school counselor knew full well that a large number of their students were given passing grades even though they were failing, and that students were also given credit for classes they didn't take.
The report comes several months after the first allegation about grade manipulation surfaced.
Investigators also say teachers were pressured to give students special leeway to improve their grades -- such as letting them turn-in assignments after the semester or giving extra credit to certain students. The administrators also pressured teachers to dumb-down some AP courses so more students could take the classes.
Investigators say a number of students would not have met UC or California State University requirements if their grades weren't changed.
The audit tarnishes the reputation of one of the most notable charter school's in the country. In fact Preuss was recently picked by U.S. News and World report as one of the best schools in the nation.
Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
