By Gillian Graham

Staff Writer

The Biddeford Middle School teacher who allegedly leaked confidential test information to students has resigned. 

Barbara Fortier’s resignation was unanimously accepted by the school committee without comment June 22. Fortier was investigated by state and local officials for allegedly using confidential state test information for a study game for her science students. She requested a leave of absence to attend graduate school and did not teach this school year. 

Superintendent Sarah-Jane Poli is out of the office and could not be reached for comment. Mayor Joanne Twomey, who also is chairman of the school committee, declined to comment. 

Assistant Superintendent Jeff Porter referred all questions regarding Fortier to attorney Melissa Hewey of Drummond Woodsum in Portland. Hewey was not available for comment Tuesday.

The Maine Department of Education last year threw out the middle school’s 2009 Maine Educational Assessment science and technology scores after an investigation into how the test was administered. School officials initially brought concerns to the attention of the department of education, according to state education officials.

The department ruled the scores invalid because confidential test information was provided to students before the test, according to state officials. Fortier was among teachers from across the state who participated in an alignment study of test questions in January 2009.

Howard Reben, a Portland attorney representing Fortier, has said she used questions from past tests and other sources to create a study game for her students. In a February letter to state education officials, Fortier said she never intended to breach her obligation of confidentiality. 

Earlier this year, Fortier agreed to take an ethics course and will retain her teaching certification following negotiations with state officials. The department of education had forwarded its investigation to the Attorney General’s Office for review for possible revocation or suspension of the teaching certification. 

Fortier and Reben could not be reached for comment.

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.