Judge Recommends Retaining Grand Junction High School Math Teacher

After a number of teachers testified concerning the possible termination of a teacher at Grand Junction High School, Mesa County School District officials are denying allegations of grade inflation.The Daily Sentinel reported Sunday that an administrative law judge has recommended  retaining Grand Junction High School math teacher Jane White. The recommendation comes after several teachers testified that administrators had pressured them to avoid giving student's D's and F's.

Judge Matthew Norwood wrote that multiple teachers testified administrators pressured them in order to minimize complaints from parents and ensure extracurricular eligibility. Norwood wrote that White was disciplined after complaining about the elimination of a math tutoring program.

Citing the Sentinel, the Associated Press reports District 51 Chief Academic Officer Bill Larsen has said teachers district wide are encouraged to teach or recommend tutoring as ways to prevent students from receiving failing grades. The school board was deadlocked last week in trying to reach a decision about whether to fire White, who has been on the job for 15 years.