Many folks questioning their local governance are met with incredulous responses like, “Do you think all these people could be in collusion…that would be impossible!” Well, here it is, people:
A state investigation reveals that 200 Atlanta school district officials and teachers cheated on test score results for the last decade, even winning awards based on their fraudulent results.
You’ve got to read this one in the Washington Times.
Here is a link to the three-volume investigative report delivered to the Georgia governor.
If you read nothing else, read the Overview starting on page 13 of Volume 1.
Comment by Bill — July 7, 2011 @ 11:25 am
Do you blame the teachers, or the state legislators who thump testing-testing-testing over teaching?
Comment by Dan — July 7, 2011 @ 12:19 pm
I personally know of a child that was failing a class in one of the high schools that got their grade raised from a D to a B just by bringing in school supplies. In another class the students got one extra credit for each EXPO marker they brought to the teacher. It’s all for the students, of course.
Comment by concerned citizen — July 8, 2011 @ 8:43 am
Dan, teachers have NO excuse for cheating on test results. It sounds to me like another example of “the end justifies the means”, only this one involves a large group of professionals over a long period of time.
It’s wrong on so many levels!
Comment by mary — July 8, 2011 @ 10:49 am
I wonder exactly how these educational professionals thought their actions would benefit their students in the long run?
What if none of the teachers and administrators in Atlanta had changed scores? Suppose the tests had been accurately scored. Is it possible that the validity of the tests to measure the intended variable might have then been questioned? Is it possible that the competence of Atlanta’s teachers and administrators might have been questioned? As it stands now, not only is their competence now a very valid issue, but so is their integrity and honesty, not to mention the true level of the students who supposedly benefited from the cheating is unknown.
When public officials, including educational professionals, cut corners, more harm than good is done. The consequences of the dishonest conduct may not be known for years.
Comment by Bill — July 8, 2011 @ 4:18 pm
Its much like the outcome of many affirmative action’s techniques practiced throughout the U.S. Don’t you just get the feeling its all about self esteem not education.
Comment by Ancientemplar — July 8, 2011 @ 4:40 pm
Idaho new educational reform “S1110 is a pay-for-performance measure. The idea is to reward teachers and school districts based on the academic growth the students within those districts are showing”.
S1110 will result in cheating throughout the State of Idaho.
Comment by LTR — July 8, 2011 @ 8:31 pm
Are we really surprised when we find cheating in schools? All we need to do is look at a small section of society, starting with Congress and there you’ll see a snapshot of the product our education system has produced. Some are good, some not so good! Sad state of affairs we find our nation in, especially as we face a mountain of debt, high unemployment, and a society bent on doing what it wants, no matter how it affects or what it costs others.
Comment by steve4886 — July 9, 2011 @ 3:36 am
The tests they cheated on were probably the result of the Bush era “No Child Left Behind” law. The NEA absolutely HATES that law. Cheating against a GOP driven accountability tool is seen by the left as an act of benevolent civil service, a social good. They are, no doubt, shocked at being called criminals. How can that be? They are caring educational professionals and the NCLB law was a paleo-con abomination.
Comment by justinian — July 10, 2011 @ 1:41 pm