Test Cheating Panel Hires Investigative Firm ATLANTA, GA (WABE) - A panel Thursday charged with investigation alleged cheating at 58 Atlanta Public Schools hired an investigative firm. The Blue Ribbon Commission tapped Caveon Test Security to look at Criterion Referenced Competency Test results were wrong answers were erased to right ones.

Caveon has 7 years of experience in investigative test results for more than 100 clients. Commission chair Gary Price, a market managing partner at the Atlanta branch of PriceWaterhouseCoopers, says the group chose Caveon in part to prove the investigation will be independent.

"This commission has no objective other than to get the facts and whatever those facts are guide us in our recommendations," said Price.

While most observers are interested in finding a reason for the test erasures, Caveon's first priority is reviewing APS' cheating policy. Price wants the company to review the policy and recommendation possible changes before APS students take the CRCT this year. Those recommendations are due early next month.

As for the cheating investigation, the state has set a May 17th deadline for those results. Caveon President John Fremer says it's a quick turnaround. He jokingly told the Commission he'll have to start the investigation on the plane leaving Atlanta.

A short amount of time is not the only unique factor of the investigation. Fremer says typical test investigations requiring looking at erasures, year to year gain scores and other information.

"What makes this stand out is focusing on erasures. So, we're going to put all of our technology, crafts, science into that topic," said Fremer.

Fremer, who seems to enjoy his work, said he sees the Atlanta investigation as a real challenge.

"I can't wait to see that data because right now it's a mystery. How there could be so many wrong to right erasures is not plausible. No interpretation anyone has given me seems credible," said Fremer.

Caveon is headquarted in Utah. The company has conducted investigations for the College Board and 5 other states.

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