School improperly altered testing

ROANOKE, Va. (AP) - A Virginia Department of Education report says a Roanoke school's administrators inappropriately kept 31 students out of state tests over the past two years.

The report says 22 of the William Fleming High School students received a modified diploma because they hadn't taken the Standards of Learning tests.

The report says four administrators altered class schedules so lower-performing students would not take the tests. That may have boosted the school's pass rates.

The state recommends that the affected students be given tutoring and allowed to take the standardized tests.

Roanoke Schools Superintendent Rita Bishop calls the report "disappointing and discouraging." The school's principal, Susan Willis, did not attend graduation ceremonies Friday.