LOXLEY --- A sixth grade teacher at Loxley Elementary School has resigned amidst state and local investigations claiming she helped students answer questions on a state standardized test.

Terry C. Wilhite, digital communications director for the Baldwin County Board of Education, said Thursday that scores for 22 students at Loxley Elementary School, who were taking the reading portion of a state standardized test, have been invalidated.

“It will be up to the State Department of Education as to whether or not the students will be able to retake the test,” Wilhite said. “State testing is used to evaluate teacher effectiveness and this will in no way effect the overall grades of these students.”

While Wilhite could not confirm the identity of the teacher, it has been confirmed that the Baldwin County Board of Education, at its April 19 meeting, accepted the resignation of Loxley Elementary School sixth grade teacher Meredith Miller, effective April 18.

The State Department of Education is conducting a full investigation into the matter, Wilhite said, and any further action taken will come as a result of that investigation.

“This is something that we have never encountered before,” Wilhite said, “and it is a very disappointing situation that will have to be sorted out by the State Department of Education.”