2008 Woodie Awards
Principal caught supplying test prep company with SAT questions
Chris Slaughter
Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: News
Many students have tried to gain an edge by cheating on standardized tests. Last week, a Texas-based company was taken to court amid accusations of illegally obtaining SAT tests.
The College Board, owner of the SAT, has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Karen Dillard's College Prep, based out of Dallas. The lawsuit alleges that KDCP illegally obtained "live" test questions and used them to help students practice.
According to the lawsuit, the SAT questions were provided by a principal from Plano, Texas, who received the SAT test in advance and then gave the test to his brother, an employee at KDCP. That principal is currently suspended.
KDCP has denied these charges, and has filed its own lawsuit against the College Board. Their suit alleges that The College Board is trying to run KDCP out of the business. This could be a nightmare for high school students caught in the cross fire.
The College Board is threatening to toss out the test results from students who used KDCP.
ACT and SAT prep services in Lincoln were shocked by allegations, especially at the notion that the company could secure "live" answers.
"They keep those under strict lock and key," said Ruth Lohmeyer, the counseling team leader at Lincoln Northeast High School. She added that she can't imagine how someone would even go about getting test answers.
John Baylor of Baylor Test Prep, a local SAT and ACT preparation service, agreed.
"I wouldn't even know how to get my hands on a test," he said.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln weighs both SAT and ACT scores when deciding whether an applicant qualifies for admission.
And having higher or lower test scores could affect a student's chances of enrollment, said Juan Franco, vice chancellor of student affairs.
"Any guise of widespread cheating may be cause for concern," he said.
chrisslaughter@dailynebraskan.com
The College Board, owner of the SAT, has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Karen Dillard's College Prep, based out of Dallas. The lawsuit alleges that KDCP illegally obtained "live" test questions and used them to help students practice.
According to the lawsuit, the SAT questions were provided by a principal from Plano, Texas, who received the SAT test in advance and then gave the test to his brother, an employee at KDCP. That principal is currently suspended.
KDCP has denied these charges, and has filed its own lawsuit against the College Board. Their suit alleges that The College Board is trying to run KDCP out of the business. This could be a nightmare for high school students caught in the cross fire.
The College Board is threatening to toss out the test results from students who used KDCP.
ACT and SAT prep services in Lincoln were shocked by allegations, especially at the notion that the company could secure "live" answers.
"They keep those under strict lock and key," said Ruth Lohmeyer, the counseling team leader at Lincoln Northeast High School. She added that she can't imagine how someone would even go about getting test answers.
John Baylor of Baylor Test Prep, a local SAT and ACT preparation service, agreed.
"I wouldn't even know how to get my hands on a test," he said.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln weighs both SAT and ACT scores when deciding whether an applicant qualifies for admission.
And having higher or lower test scores could affect a student's chances of enrollment, said Juan Franco, vice chancellor of student affairs.
"Any guise of widespread cheating may be cause for concern," he said.
chrisslaughter@dailynebraskan.com
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