1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION

2 OF THE STATE OF OREGON

3 In the Matter of the ) STIPULATION OF FACTS AND

4 Educator License of ) FINAL ORDER OF PUBLIC

5 MICHAEL STEVE JONES ) REPRIMAN D

i75 On or about July 10, 2013, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission

8 (Commission) received a report from the Forest Grove School District indicating possible

9 professional misconduct by Michael Steve Jones (Jones) when he inappropriately altered
1O grades and credits of failing students.
1 1 After review of the matters alleged, J ones and the Commission agree that their
12 respective interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to
13 certain facts and the imposition of a public reprimand.
14 By signing below, Jones acknowledges, understands, stipulates, and agrees to the
15 following: (i) he has been fully advised of his rights to notice and a hearing to contest the
16 findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order set forth below, and fully and finally
17 waives all such rights and any rights to appeal or otherwise challenge this Stipulation of
18 Facts and Final Order of Public Reprimand (Stipulation and Final Order); (ii) this
19 Stipulation and Final Order is a public document and disclosed t0 the public upon
20 request by the Commission; (iii) this Stipulation and Final Order is contingent upon and
21 subject to approval and adoption by the Commission. If the Commission does not
22 approve and adopt this Stipulation and Final Order, then neither Jones nor the
23 Commission are bound by the terms herein; (iv) he has fully read this Stipulation and
24 Final Order, and understands it completely; (v) he voluntarily, without any force or
25 duress, enters into this Stipulation and Final Order and consents to issuance and entry of
26 the Stipulated Final Order below; (vi) he states that no promise 0r representation has
27 been made to induce him to sign this Stipulation and Final Order; and (vii) he has
28 consulted with an attorney regarding this Stipulation and Final Order and has been fully
29 advised with regard to his rights thereto, or waives any and all rights to consult with an
3O attorney prior to entering into this Stipulation and Final Order and issuance and entry of
31 the Stipulated Final Order below.
32
33 STIPULATION OF FACTS
34 1. The Commission has licensed Michael Steve Jones since September 30, 2004.
35 Jones’s current Professional Teaching License with an endorsement in

Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF REPRIMAND — MICHAEL STEVE JONES

1 Foundational Mathematics (PK-12), is valid from January 1, 2015, through
2 December 31, 2019. During all relevant times, Jones was employed by the Forest
3 Grove School District.
4 2. On July 10, 2013, the Commission received a report from the Forest Grove School
5 District indicating Jones was the subject 0f a district investigation that resulted in
6 discipline. The district reported that Jones’ conduct violated local policies and
7 may violate professional standards. On May 31, 2013, Jones resigned his
8 employment with Forrest Grove School District.
9 3. Investigation determined that during the 2012-2013 school year, Jones had
1O altered students’ grades, providing passing grades for tests, quizzes and work that
1 1 students had scored well below passing levels. Jones provided failing students
12 with passing grades and gave academic credits to students who had not earned
1 3 them. Records indicate that approximately 20 students had their grades
14 improperly altered by Jones. In the course of the investigation, Jones explained
15 that these students were taking online classes, came from difficult backgrounds
16 and situations, and he was only trying to help them succeed.
1 7
18 IT IS SO STIPULAI/l?
g8 W y/ 2 2’ / .20 / .i'
21 Mic S eve Jones _ Date
; 5% M 71,2:- a’
24 Victoria Charn ' Executive Director Date
25 Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
26
27 CONCLUSION OF LAW
28 The above described conduct that Michael Steve Jones engaged in constitutes
29 gross neglect of duty in violation of ORS 342.175(1)(b); OAR 584-o2o-oo4o(4)(n) as it
30 incorporates OAR 584-020-0010(2)(Encourage scholarship), OAR 584-020-
31 0010(4)(Raise educational standards), OAR 584-020-oo1o(5) (Use professional
32 judgment), OAR 584-020—0025(2)(e) (Using district lawful and reasonable rules and
33 regulations); and OAR 584-020-oo4o(4)(c) (Falsification of any document or knowing
34 misrepresentation directly related to lieensure, employment, 0r professional duties.
Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF REPRIMAND — MICHAEL STEVE JONES

I 1 The Commission’s authority to impose discipline in this matter is based upon
i 2 ORS 342.175.
3 ORDER
4 Based on the foregoing, the Commission hereby orders as follows:
5 1. The Commission adopts and incorporates herein the above findings of fact and
6 conclusions of law, and based thereon, imposes a Public Reprimand on Michael
7 Steve Jones’ Oregon educator’s license.
8 M
9 Issued and dated this Z é day of , 2o lg.
1O TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
1 1 STATE OF REGON
12 '
13 Mt.)
14 lctoria Cha e a' , Executive Director
I
I
I
Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF REPRIMAND — MICHAEL STEVE JONES

I CERTIFICATE OF MAILING
l HEREBY CERTIFY that I served the foregoing Stipulation of Facts and Final Order of Public
Reprimand, certified by me as such, by mailing U.S. First Class Mail and U.S. Certified Mail — Return
Receipt Requested, addressed to:
I Michael Steve Jones
1 1839 Vine Court
1 Forest Grove, OR 97116-2231
I (It.
DATED this Q C day of August, 2015.
. 71,. ~// .
By: f ))a/I/L<__; /2/£dd§ £I
Pat “Lid ell
Investigative Assistant
Certificate of Mailing — Michael Steve Jones
Data Classification Level: 1- Published
DO: Liddcll