Ohio Department of Education investigates Columbus City Schools’ test results
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce launched an investigation into Columbus City Schools’ spring 2026 state tests after the district self-reported anomalies in testing results at two schools.
The district forwarded the information regarding the schools to the State Board of Education’s Office of Professional Conduct. It also said that it would invalidate spring scores for all state tests in all subjects at the schools where the anomalies were found, Independence High School and Walnut Ridge High School, ODEW said in a release.
“CCS closely monitors test results and saw irregularities at two high schools this spring, starting an internal investigation,” Columbus City spokesman Michael Brown said in a statement, according to WOSU Public Media.
The district told families of students who are going to Walnut Ridge that its inquiry found “there were inconsistencies in the way tests were administered and cell phones and other smart technology may have been used during testing,” according to NBC 4.
The district also wrote in a letter to the parents of the students who go to Independence that it interviewed students and staff who were in control of the testing rooms, adding that the district’s inquiry raised “questions regarding Independence HS’s efforts to prepare adult proctors to administer testing and to prepare students for the assessments,” NBC 4 reported.
The district wrote in both letters that it doesn’t accuse students at these schools of cheating, adding that students who are not seniors can retake the tests over the summer or during the next school year, while those who plan to graduate in the upcoming spring will not need to retake them.
“For summer testing, CCS increased monitoring and training for staff who oversee the tests with students,” the district wrote in its statement to NBC 4, adding that it will cooperate with the ODEW and has made its testing process more strict.
“For summer testing, CCS increased monitoring and training for staff who oversee the tests with students,” the district told 10TV in its statement.
According to WOSU, Brown said that the district “is committed to testing fidelity and giving students every chance to succeed.”
In addition to the recently opened investigation, the CCS also previously experienced financial problems. The district previously reported losing millions of dollars, resulting in a layoff of 300 employees.
“We have to make that hard decision. You leave with a very heavy heart because this affects people and their families,” The Columbus City School Board of Education President Antoinette Miranda said. “It affects the students. It affects the community.”
Meanwhile, the district found money somewhere to fund the facility updates and consultants. Additionally, if Senate Bill 311 is signed by Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, it would force the district to either sell or close its underused schools.
