N.J. test-score cheating probe clears 14 schools

TRENTON - State education officials say 14 more public schools across New Jersey have been cleared in an investigation of possible cheating on state tests.

But further investigations have been ordered for nine other schools as part of the probe conducted by the Office of Fiscal Accountability and Compliance. Eleven other schools are already under state investigation.

The reviews center on instances where wrong answers were changed to correct responses at unusually high rates in at least one grade for the NJ ASK exams.

The tests were administered in 2010 to students in grades three through eight.

It was unclear when the more intensive reviews of 20 schools would be complete. They are: eight schools in Newark; two each in East Orange and Woodbridge; and single schools in Atlantic City, Bloomfield, Bridgeton, Elizabeth, Jersey City, Orange, Ridgefield Park, and Union City. - AP