BOARD of Education Chairman Herman T. Guerrero wants the alleged “irregularities” that occurred during the Marianas High School Science Fair investigated.
“I was irritated when I heard it,” he told Variety. “This is embarrassing. I want it investigated.” (See today’s Forum section)
Guerrero also advised educators to refrain from using public forums to air their grievances unless they have gone through the usual administrative process.
Kagman High School science teacher James Fauls alleged last week that MHS teachers—the host of the science fair—altered the scores of the entries.
“MHS teachers…took the tally sheets and changed the scores the judges had given, so that instead of Kagman High School students receiving the top honors as the scores would show, the MHS students received the top honors,” Fauls said in a letter to the editor.
Guerrero said the allegations are serious and must be addressed.
MHS Principal James Denight said Fauls seems “upset over the judging of the recent MHS Science Fair.”
However, Denight said MHS does not feel that the newspaper is the “most appropriate venue for discussing the issue.”
The five teachers involved in the science fair submitted to Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos their version of what happened during the event.
According to them, the scores were changed after the 81 entries were re-evaluated.
The reevaluation was done because there were not enough judges for all 81 entries. Moreover, there were other “unforeseen flaws.”
“Each judge covered entries in overlapping categories and divisions, resulting in inconsistencies that we did not foresee. Due to flaws in our system, in communication and interpretation and in the judging process itself, judging was inconsistent in terms of average points given and the application criteria,” the teachers said.
“Because of the inconsistent scores, it was necessary to reevaluate the standings so that students who actually followed the guidelines and met established criteria would be recognized,” they added.
During the reevaluation process, the teachers said they asked Fauls to participate but he declined.
“Even though he had been invited to do so, Mr. Fauls contributed but little to the administration of the science fair. In fact, he left before the re-evaluation was finalized. Apparently, he was bored with waiting as the rest of us moved tables back to the cafeteria,” the teachers said.
The teachers said Kagman and MHS benefited from the reevaluation of the scores.
“One Kagman high school project would not have even placed in the competition had it not been for the reevaluation. As it turned out, it was recognized as an outstanding contribution. Mr. Fauls assessment seems to have overlooked these cases,” they said.
