The Atlanta Public Schools Cheating Scandal: So Many Questions
"Was this scandal based on pressure from the people in authority? Was it educators thinking they might respond to our image of being underachievers on standardized tests? Or, is the true issue the test itself does not have any relevance to our youth?
Peyton Forest Elementary, alma mater to many southwest Atlantans, was named in an 800-page report on Atlanta Public Schools classroom cheating, as one of the most "severe" in the state.
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Hi Everyone:
Should all the educators involved in the Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal be prosecuted?
As a regular contributor to Cascade Patch, I'd like to know what you think about this "hot topic." I also think we should let all the educators know, so we can find the “soul”ution.
For me the question is "Why did this happen?" Was this scandal based on pressure from the people in authority? Was it educators thinking they might respond to our image of being underachievers on standardized tests? Or, is the true issue the test itself does not have any relevance to our African-American culture?
What are we truly measuring? Who are the educators who are setting forth the standards for testing "our" kids? Do any of them (test designers) look like me and are their ethnic and educational backgrounds diverse enough to ensure that our kids are tested, with a global perspective in mind?
And, another concern. How can we reach higher-level mathematical and problem-solving skills when our children have not conquered the basics? How are we expecting kids to do their homework if their parents do not have the educational knowledge to answer the questions?
These are a lot questions, I know, but they are on my mind and I want to hear what other people in southwest Atlanta think.
Right now, I think we are failing to find the" soul"utions. The "No Child Left Behind" Act has left us behind (and, exposed our behinds!)
Serious, though, what are the solutions? For Atlanta, community involvement, engagement and response are so important right now.
From my point of view, the CRCT test is the problem.
I do not think educators should be criminally prosecuted for working in a culture that has been set up to fail, time after time.
However, if threats, intimidation, and failure to renew contracts was used to control others to get results, yes, the “ringleaders” need to be prosecuted.
As I said, community involvement, engagement and response are very important right now. We need to close the achievement gap and we need better standardized tests and better schools.
What do you think?
Dr. Yolande Minor was born and raised in southwest Atlanta and received her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Sarasota. She covers crime and general assignment contributor to Cascade Patch.
I have many questions about this APS cheating scandal. Do you?
Tell us in the comments.
Glen McDaniel
9:12 pm on Monday, July 11, 2011
Teaching is a difficult job. Most teachers are hard-working dedicated professionals. That is a given and I do not see anyone arguing the contrary. It does bother me, a lot, when professionals who are supposed to teach more than the "three Rs" do something as unethical as cheating. It matters little that they were "helping" students to get better exam scores, or that the teachers were caving in to pressure from administrators and principals. Some things are just beyond the pale; such as having grade-changing parties. Really!!! If I were threatened or pressured to change grades, not only would I refuse loudly and publicly, but I would blow the whistle even if I had to do it anonymously. I would contact the Superindent, my local council person, the Chairman of the School Board, and local investigative journalists (print and TV). I know for a fact I would not lower myself (and set such a poor example for the kids) by cheating.
It does bother me when the argument is made frequently that most teachers affected are African Americans and therefore our standard of judgement ought to be somehow more lenient. I realize that I am in the minority here. But some things are just not acceptable to me-regardless of who does them.
Judy Rayford
6:01 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
NOTHING is acceptable to this "lyncher"system that main goal is to destroy self-esteem and force self implosion from outside forces that stop healthy realize of stress targeted at our children to produce sex toys and army fodder. FREE OUR CHILDREN community school and drop this state organized rape of our children
Deacon Robert W. Henry
2:09 pm on Wednesday, July 13, 2011
There has to be a leader and a Chain-of-Command from someone instructing this type of actions. I do not think that one (teacher) start this ball rolling! What is so degrading is when the first notion of cheating came to light, Dr. Hall and her staff should have immediately called all of the Principles, Directors and Teachers into a meeting and start an internal investigation. But, this was not a perfect situation so instead of creating this type of best thing to do; I think that the term; "making Target" was of the highest importance to the Principles and Dr. Hall. Follow the money and it will lead you to the souces and souces will begun to crack....crack wide open! Those teachers who are involved, I think and read where they came out and said it at the direction of those appointed over them. Bottom Line! Unlike the Eddie Long scandle, this is even bigger....except, there is no room for settlement.
Judy Rayford
6:07 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Reference to Eddie Long is right, the educational system is getting our children ready for Eddie Longs's, prison, army, etc. Discussion DROP this educational system and get our children back. Like the Jew's lets get our own food, own, educational system, own economic control. Like Jesus lets get our children from these money changers
Yolande M. Minor
8:25 pm on Friday, July 22, 2011
Thank you gentlemen for your responses.
Judy Rayford
5:54 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
In respect to educating our "Black" children: GET OUT OF THE STATE LYNCHER SYSTER OF EDUCATION We need to gather each and everyone of our children and destroy the public system that is destroying our future. There is enough resources inside of the community to home school our children. DO YOU really think this system is ever going to give us our "right" to educations when it would leave them in the dust.
KArnold
8:08 pm on Sunday, September 4, 2011
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