More about the cheating scandel (Atlanta, Decatur: condo, home, unemployed)

[mdovell]

Cheating report confirms teacher's suspicions - CNN.com

To be fair technically since there was an incentive for higher scores this could happen anywhere (although not in such magnitude)

The real bad part is this

"She started asking questions: How is this child "exceeding expectations" on last year's test "when they can't read and they can't count?" she asked her principal.

"Oh, I guess they are just a great guesser," Rogers-Martin says the principal told her.

Sure, allows Rogers-Martin, maybe one kid could be a good guesser.

One second-grader who Rogers-Martin recommended for special education ended up "exceeding expectations" on the third-grade test."

"But eight or nine kids in every class of mine was a good guesser?" she asks incredulously.
You can't go from not being able to read or count stuff on sticks to exceeding expectations in third grade -- it just doesn't happen.
--Teacher Julie Rogers-Martin"

Also I find this to be pretty odd.
"At each school, the higher the pass rate, the higher the bonus. At an Atlanta school with the highest pass rate, every employee -- from the custodian to the principal -- got a $2,000 bonus."

Every employee gets a bonus? I can see the teachers but seriously..everyone? No wonder why it was so big if janitors, the lunch ladies, the bus drivers and maintenance crew get a bonus.

[arjay57]

Sounds like a pretty darn good teacher.

[Iconographer]

It's spelled S-C-A-N-D-A-L, not scandel. Good God.

[testa50]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

It's spelled S-C-A-N-D-A-L, not scandel. Good God.

Yes it's misspelled, but it's not something some subtle erasing by the test proctor couldn't take care of. Which is clearly what matters.

[cwlawrence]

In the end, the current acting super has stated that (and I am paraphrasing here); "nothing is wrong with the CRCT or the system". Right, they are uncovering similar wide-spread cheating in states all over the US where this kind of incentivized standardized testing is used. It's endemic and its time to get rid of 'no child left behind'.

Also, the irony here, is that the above quote (and the entire report) basically shows that the children were still receiving the education that they needed (individualized assessment leading to specialized lesson plans/placement), and that the test results were only used to dole out bonuses and awards to the schools and employees. Of course, so many are so caught up in crying "think of the children" that they are not actually thinking of the children.

And finally, we live in a society that accepts "innocent until proven guilty". Not one of these educators has been given a fair trial; they are all blacklisted. Though many will be found guilty, some will be pardoned, and some will be found innocent and they will never be able to teach again.

[doelaod]

OP, in addition to the spelling correction, you cansimply substitute G-H-E-T-T-O and the whole country knows you mean Atlanta. Like shorthand.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by cwlawrence

And finally, we live in a society that accepts "innocent until proven guilty". Not one of these educators has been given a fair trial; they are all blacklisted. Though many will be found guilty, some will be pardoned, and some will be found innocent and they will never be able to teach again.

At least they're still getting paid, which is more than a lot of their fellow citizens can say.

APS takes $6 million from savings to pay accused teachers

[doelaod]

Originally Posted by cwlawrence

In the end, the current acting super has stated that (and I am paraphrasing here); "nothing is wrong with the CRCT or the system". Right, they are uncovering similar wide-spread cheating in states all over the US where this kind of incentivized standardized testing is used. It's endemic and its time to get rid of 'no child left behind'.

Also, the irony here, is that the above quote (and the entire report) basically shows that the children were still receiving the education that they needed (individualized assessment leading to specialized lesson plans/placement), and that the test results were only used to dole out bonuses and awards to the schools and employees. Of course, so many are so caught up in crying "think of the children" that they are not actually thinking of the children.

And finally, we live in a society that accepts "innocent until proven guilty". Not one of these educators has been given a fair trial; they are all blacklisted. Though many will be found guilty, some will be pardoned, and some will be found innocent and they will never be able to teach again.

I'll wager few of them get much more than a hand slap. You know why? Everyone can see the organization condoned and demanded they do what they did. Coupled with a powerful union, that equals very tough trials.

[northwinds]

Its all OK now...the school board held a prayer vigil...Beverly Hall says she's sorry (but will keep the bonuses).....and the primary cheaters are sitting at home watching Sanford & Son reruns and getting City of Atlanta paychecks every two weeks while millions of folks are unemployed....its really all too funny.

[tigers84]

Originally Posted by northwinds

Its all OK now...the school board held a prayer vigil...Beverly Hall says she's sorry (but will keep the bonuses).....and the primary cheaters are sitting at home watching Sanford & Son reruns and getting City of Atlanta paychecks every two weeks while millions of folks are unemployed....its really all too funny.

Hilarious.

All good comedy is based in truth.