A former Beaumont Independent School District (BISD) Assistant Superintendent has been sentenced for federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas.
Patricia Adams Lambert, 62, of Beaumont, pleaded guilty on Dec. 28, 2015, to theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and conspiracy to submit false statements concerning standardized test scores and was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield. Lambert was immediately taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.
Also sentenced today was Victoria Gauthier Steward, 31, of Lake Charles, LA. Steward pleaded guilty on Dec. 23, 2015, to conspiracy to make false statements, related to the manipulation of BISD test scores and was sentenced to three years of federal probation.
According to information presented in court, Lambert was hired by BISD on June 13, 2002, as a teacher, and on Aug. 28, 2002, she was promoted to Assistant Principal at Vincent Middle School. On July 15, 2004, Lambert was promoted to Principal and assigned to French Middle School, and on July 1, 2006, she was assigned to Central Medical Magnet High School (‘CMMHS’ or ‘Central’) as Principal. As Principal of Central, Lambert was responsible for oversight of the campus; managing personnel; ensuring proper reporting of grades, testing, and attendance to BISD administration; and financial oversight for certain aspects of the campus. On May 17, 2012, Lambert was promoted to Assistant Superintendent.
The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLBA) of 2001 mandates that states implement academic assessment tests in order to receive federal funding. Through words and actions, Lambert created a culture at CMMHS among the faculty and staff where cheating on standardized tests was accepted. Lambert, either directly or indirectly, encouraged teachers and staff to manipulate students’ standardized test scores or had knowledge that cheating occurred.
As part of its test security measures, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires that teachers abide by all test security regulations and sign Oaths of Test Security. The falsified oaths were capable of misleading TEA or the US Department of Education.
Lambert’s crimes have far-reaching consequences as the falsified test scores were capable of misleading the Texas Education Agency and the US Department of Education. The government could prove, through first-hand witnesses, that teachers would aggregate large numbers of tests and then erase and change incorrect answers to correct answers after students turned their tests; teachers would give students answers while they were taking the tests; and that test manipulation occurred on a regular basis from 2007-2012.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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