Though cleared of criminal intent in helping students during an exam, Carolyn Sunderland awaits the results of a hearing that could take away her license.
By DUANE BOURNE
Published May 3, 2003
BROOKSVILLE - Authorities cleared fourth-grade teacher Carolyn Sunderland of any criminal intent last year after she helped some of her students taking an important state exam. But on Friday, the 59-year-old woman was still fighting to keep her job.
"The most important thing is that I enjoy children," said Sunderland. "I believe older people as well as young have a lot to share. I love teaching. I take the word teacher as a high calling. I did not mean to do it.'"
Sunderland told state administrative law judge Don Davis that she told students to "rethink" their answers.
"It's the same thing I've been doing for nine years,'" she said. "It's something that I do every other day of the year.'"
But when a parent told Moton Elementary principal Donald Moen that he was concerned Sunderland gave students the answers during the two-week exam, she was dumbfounded.
"I wonder," she recalled, contemplating whether she made a mistake. "I've wondered that question many times.'"
Sunderland said she went to her class and asked them whether she had helped them with particular problems on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, or FCAT, which is administered yearly to all children in grades three through 10.
"They put up their hands," said Sunderland, explaining how she asked her students to be honest. "I said, "I have to call Mr. Moen.' Their first reaction was wouldn't you get in trouble? I just forgot."
That mistake could cost her a teacher's license.
On Friday, Sunderland appeared emotional and spoke in slow, measured tone, during the hearing at the school.
Schools in Florida are graded based on the FCAT results. The section of the test that Sunderland helped students with was not used in evaluating the school's overall grade, said Linda Peirce, the school district's testing specialist.
Violating security protocol is considered a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. During the exam, teachers are not allowed to read questions and cannot interpret questions students do not understand.
Sunderland, however, was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing by the State Attorney's Office last May.
In the letter addressed to the Hernando County School District, Assistant State Attorney William Catto said that Sunderland had nothing to gain for aiding students on the test, and that her suspension was sufficient in this situation.
Under the agreement reached between Sunderland and the school district, she received a 10-day unpaid suspension and one year of probation with a stipulation that she could be fired for subsequent test violations.
Davis said that it could take between 30 and 60 days before he makes his recommendation to the Department of Education's Professional Practices Commission.
Once the decision is made, the commission will determine whether further sanctions, such as termination of her teacher's license, could be invoked.
- Duane Bourne covers law enforcement and emergency services in Hernando County and can be reached at 754-6114. Send e-mail to dbourne@sptimes.com
