School attendance data probe targets 6 Dayton-area districts

9/25/2012

DAYTON, Ohio — A newspaper reports that state auditors are examining student records at six southern Ohio school districts in a statewide probe into attendance data tampering to improve state report card performance.

The Dayton Daily News reports that the districts are the latest targets of a probe that has examined attendance data practices at districts around the state.

Administrators for Dayton, Springfield, Hamilton, Trotwood-Madison, Northridge and Jefferson Township school districts confirmed the audits.

State investigators are examining reasons why schools withdrew students and whether the withdrawals were legitimate as part of a probe of potential attendance tampering. Removing poor students from the books can boost performance measures that determine government aid and employee bonuses.