This is not a feel good story. Not for the city of Atlana. Not for the school administrators, teachers and more importantly, the students. Some thirty-five educators will have to turn themselves in and face charges in a 65-count indicment alleging rackateering, false statements and alledged cheating on standardized tests. From the retired Atlanta School Superintendent; some of her top deputies, principals, teachers and a secretary, they have until Tuesday to turn themselves in. The Atlanta Constitution Journal is being credited with identifying suspected test cheating at many Atlanta public schools, citing what the paper called statistically improbable increases in test scores in 2008. Alledgedly the very next year during the mandated Criterion-Rerferenced Competency tests more suspicious scores were identified. The state conducted its own investigation and discovered cheaters were rewarded, whistle-blowers were punished and there were numerous coverups. At the end of the day, the children of Atlanta received the ultimate penality; being promoted with well below grade average levels. A setup for failure in any future endeavors by these children.
Former Atlanta School Superintendent Beverly Hall is facing one count of violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act and four other charges and is facing up to 40 years in prison if convicted. The real question revolves around the children. What do we do now? Should the children remain punished? Shoud they be given new opportunities to pass? Should the state pay for it? It’s not the children’s fault they were given a free ride. It’s certainly not the first time its happened in any state, be it the public school or college level. This one we must follow and watch to see if similar irregularities shown up in school systems nationwide. The children are the x factor. What do we do with x? Read more.
