An Ohio education department investigation found anomalies on standardized testing at dozens of schools across the state, including several in Greater Cincinnati.
After Columbus City Schools self-reported its own testing anomalies in early July, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) "proactively" directed its testing vendor to investigate the matter. The investigation found 52 unreported "significant" testing anomalies at dozens of public and charter schools around the state on tests administered in the spring of 2026, according to a Sept. 4 news release.
The Greater Cincinnati schools identified in this investigation are as follows:
- George Hays-Jennie Porter School in the West End (traditional public school).
- Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy in the West End (charter school).
- Cincinnati Technology Academy in Cheviot (charter school).
- Northside Preparatory Academy (charter school).
- Middletown Preparatory & Fitness Academy (charter school).
- Mount Auburn Preparatory Academy (charter school).
- Mount Healthy Preparatory and Fitness Academy (charter school).
- ReGeneration Schools Avondale Elementary in Avondale (charter school).
The Enquirer has reached out to the local schools listed for comment.
The department of education
and workforce said the matter remains under ongoing investigation.
Dan Tierney, spokesperson for Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, told The Columbus Dispatch that the governor's office takes the integrity of standardized testing seriously.
“That shows by DEW taking this proactive step after learning about issues in Columbus the oversight is working well,” Tierney said.
Columbus City Schools anomalies involved students using technology during test
In July, The Dispatch reported that Columbus City Schools invalidated test scores in all subjects at Independence High School and Walnut Ridge High School after it self-reported problems with the results to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.
In letters sent to families, staff members "reported that cell phones and other smart technology were used during testing." In addition, "questions were also raised regarding Independence HS’s efforts to prepare adult proctors to administer testing and to prepare students for the assessments."
The letters also noted that the invalidation would not impact most spring graduates and the district would work with students who would be impacted.
This story may be updated.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Testing anomalies found at Cincinnati-area schools after investigation
