Audit: LI school inflated students’ grades

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) - A state audit has found that a Long Island school district routinely and improperly inflated students’ grades.

The State Education Department audit found that Hempstead Union Free School District changed more than 2,000 quarterly and final grades for nearly 1,300 high school students during the 2012-2013 school year.

Newsday (https://nwsdy.li/1naaqeI ) says the district could provide reasons for only 8 percent of the changes.

According to the audit, the district has a longstanding informal policy in which grades ranging from 61 to 64 have been changed to a passing grade of 65.

Hempstead Board President Betty Cross did not respond to a request for comment Monday.

In March, the district said it had drafted polices to address the grade inflation issue based on the state’s recommendations.

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Information from: Newsday, https://www.newsday.com