KDE Warns Against Textbook Company Scammers

On July 2nd, American Book Company Marketing Vice President Devin Pintozzi sent an email to Dr Brenda Overturf, President of Literacy Perspectives, a literacy consulting company that specializes in professional development in literacy and language arts, "seeking both Kentucky test item writers and curriculum reviewers for Kentucky's next generation of Common Core testing."

The problem is, the American Book Company has nothing to do with Kentucky's new K-Prep testing system, and no one they hire will be writing Kentucky test items.

To make matters worse, Pintozzi also included below his own return address, that of Karen Kidwell Director of the Division of Program Standards, in KDE's Office of Next Generation Learners - so the email was made to appear as if it was sanctioned by KDE.

 -------- Original Message --------
Subject: Reviewers for Quality Core, Test Item Writers for KPREP
From: Devin Pintozzi <dpintozzi@americanbookcompany.com<

mailto:dpintozzi@americanbookcompany.com>>
Date: Mon, July 02, 2012 1:35 pm
To: "brenda@litperspectives.com<mailto:brenda@litperspectives.com>" <brenda@litperspectives.com<mailto:brenda@litperspectives.com>>
Ms. Overturf:

I appreciated speaking with you today!  We are currently seeking both Kentucky test item writers and curriculum reviewers for Kentucky's next generation of Common Core testing.

For Test Item Writing:

KPREP 3-8 Math Tests
KPREP 3-8 Reading Tests
KY QC ALG II
KY QC English II

For Review:

KY QC Biology
KY QC US History
KPREP 8th Social Studies
KPREP 5th Social Studies

For Potential Complete Book Writing:

KPREP Science in Elem. And Middle

 If anyone is interested in assisting us with test item writing as well as professional reviews of our materials, we would be interested.

All writing and professional reviews can be performed on a contractual basis and can be accomplished remotely.  Simply contact me at dpintozzi@americanbookcompany.comdpintozzi@americanbookcompany.com> or call the number below for more information.

Thank you for any assistance you can provide.

Sincerely,

Devin Pintozzi
VP Marketing
American Book Company
www.americanbookcompany.com<http://www.americanbookcompany.com>
888-264-5877


Karen Kidwell
Director, Division of Program Standards
Office of Next Generation Learners
Kentucky Department of Education
500 Mero Street, 18th Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601-1972
(502) 564-2106 FAX (502) 564-9848
Karen.Kidwell@education.ky.govKaren.Kidwell@education.ky.gov>

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Overturf promptly forwarded Pintozzi's misleading message to several individuals at the University of Louisville, Jefferson County Schools, and KDE announcing "opportunities for Kentucky educators to contract with American Book Company to help review or write Kentucky K-Prep and Quality Core test items and curriculum materials in math, reading , science social studies, and English."

This drew a sharp response from Kidwell who responded through her network, calling the effort False or Misleading, lambasting the poor quality of the American Book Company's previous work, and warning Kentucky teachers to not get involved in the scam.

Subject: False or Misleading Opp to Work on Quality Core and KPREP Items
Importance: High

Happy Monday Morning!

I want to CLEAR UP some possible MISREPRESENTATION about work on "Quality Core and KPREP Test Items" that some of you may have received-and likely, some of your districts will receive.  The FOLLOWING is NOT in any WAY OFFICIAL work of KDE or of our contractors (ACT/Pearson) for our ACTUAL assessments.  This is a lone company trying to capitalize on people's concern/fear and make a profit by creating books like the "KCCT COACH" books (which, if you are familiar with, you know were NOT quality and NOT even truly aligned to our former standards).  Under NO circumstances should any of you become involved in this and I would strongly discourage, if asked, any district educators from engaging as well.

Thanks!
Karen