STATE OF FLORIDA EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION RICHARD CORCORAN, as Commissioner of Education, Petitioner, vs. CASE NO. 189-0761 YOLANDA Y. WILLIAMS, Respondent. ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT Petitioner, Richard Corcoran, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative Complaint against YOLANDA Y. WILLIAMS. The Petitioner seeks the appropriate disciplinary sanction of the Respondent’s educator’s certificate pursuant to sections 1012.315, 1012.795, and 1012.796, Florida Statutes, and pursuant to Rule 6A-10.081, Florida Administrative Code, Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida, said sanctions specifically set forth in sections 1012.795(1) and 1012.796(7), Florida Statutes. The Petitioner alleges: JURISDICTION 1. The Respondent holds Florida Educator’s Certificate 786643, covering the areas of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Exceptional Student Education (ESE) and Prekindergarten/Primary Education, which is valid through June 30, 2023. 2. At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as a First Grade Teacher at Chimney Lakes Elementary School in the Duval County School District. MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS 3. During the May 2018 administration of the iReady diagnostic assessment, Respondent impermissibly provided answers and/or inappropriate assistance to first grade Exceptional Student Education (ESE) students who were being administered the exam by Respondent. The iReady assessment is a statewide assessment used to track the progress of students in math and language arts. The results can be used in determining whether or not a student progresses to the next grade and they help guide the path of a student’s education. Additionally, the assessment is used to help calculate student growth for the purpose of teacher evaluations in AC-2 YOLANDA Y. WILLIAMS Administrative Complaint Page 2 of 3 grades kindergarten through second grade. Respondent’s conduct significantly altered the results of the students’ individual assessments thereby providing invalid calculation of students’ progress and affording Respondent an unfair advantage in the evaluation of the effectiveness of her teaching. The Petitioner charges: STATUTE VIOLATIONS COUNT 1: The Respondent is in violation of section 1012.795(1)(g), Florida Statutes, in that Respondent has been found guilty of personal conduct which seriously reduces effectiveness as an employee of the school board. COUNT 2: The Respondent is in violation of section 1012.795(1)(j), Florida Statutes, in that Respondent has violated the Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession prescribed by State Board of Education rules. RULE VIOLATIONS COUNT 3: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6A- 10.081(2)(a)1, Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has failed to make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning and/or to the student’s mental health and/or physical health and/or safety. COUNT 4: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6A- 10.081(2)(b)2, Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has intentionally distorted or misrepresented facts concerning an educational matter in direct or indirect public expression. COUNT 5: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6A- 10.081(2)(b)3, Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has used institutional privileges for personal gain or advantage. COUNT 6: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6A- 10.081(2)(c)1, Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has failed to maintain honesty in all professional dealings. (SIGNATURE ON FOLLOWING PAGE) AC-3 YOLANDA Y. WILLIAMS Administrative Complaint Page 3 of 3 WHEREFORE, based on the reasons set forth herein and in accordance with the Explanation of Rights and Election of Rights forms attached to and made a part of this Administrative Complaint, Petitioner respectfully recommends that the Education Practices Commission impose an appropriate sanction against the Respondent’s educator’s certificate pursuant to the authority provided in sections 1012.795(1) and 1012.796(7), Florida Statutes. The sanctions imposed by the Education Practices Commission may include, but are not limited to, any one or a combination of the following: issuing the Respondent a written reprimand; placing the Respondent on probation for any period of time; restricting the Respondent’s authorized scope of practice; assessing the Respondent an administrative fine; directing the Respondent to enroll in the Recovery Network Program; suspending the Respondent’s educator’s certificate for a period of time not to exceed five years; revoking the Respondent’s educator’s certificate for a period of time up to 10 years or permanently; determining the Respondent to be ineligible for certification; or barring the Respondent from reapplying for an educator’s certificate for a period of time up to 10 years or permanently. th EXECUTED on this 44 day ot_A\ gust , 2019. Le AMi— ICHARD CORCORAN, as Commissioner of Education State of Florida AC-4

Docket for Case No: 20-003937PL