The State Law Enforcement Division announced Monday charges against a teacher at Berkeley County Intermediate School for allegedly giving hand signals to students during PACT testing.
SLED charged Lou Ann Williamson, 54, of Summerville with Mandatory Test Security Violation. The investigation began in July 2008 after a complaint from School District officials that Williamson helped students cheat on the June 2008 Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test.
She was arrested on September 2 after SLED and the 9th Circuit Solicitor's Office decided charges were appropriate. She is charged with Mandatory Test Security Violation which is 51-1-445 in the SC Code of Law. www.scstatehouse.gov
At the time of the investigation Williamson was a fourth grade teacher. She began her career in the Berkeley County School District in 1981 and spent the entire time a the Intermediate School. She retired by her own decision August 1, 2008 according to the District.
The District released a statement Monday afternoon which reads:
"We have and will continue to cooperate with their investigation. All teachers must sign a code of ethics agreement prior to administering state testing. If any breech of test security is reported it is thoroughly investigated by the district and reported to SLED if warranted."
News 2 went to the home of LouAnn Williamson Monday afternoon, there was a vehicle in the driveway and the garage door was open, but nobody answered the front door.
Jennifer Timmons the communications director for SLED says about 20 test violation cases are investigated a year working with county solicitors to see if charges should be pressed. Most cases are dismissed.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement