Rev. Joseph Lowery, Councilman C.T. Martin Host Saturday Forum on CRCT Cheating Scandal

Councilman, C.T. Martin, along with Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, held a community forum today in support of students and teachers of Atlanta Public Schools. 

The meeting was held at the Cascade United Methodist Church, 3144 Cascade Rd. on Saturday, July 9.

"We would like to show our support for the teachers and students who have worked hard and honest that are being overlooked by the recent negative attention surrounding the Atlanta Public School System," Councilman C.T. Martin said of the meeting.

The forum comes in revelation and response to the findings of an extensive state investigators' report, announced by Gov. Nathan Deal July 5. The report found evidence of cheating at 44 of the 56 Atlanta public schools. 

Georgia public school students grades 1-8 are required to take the CRCT in English, reading and math. Students in grades 3-8 also take science and social studies tests.

A link to the schools involved in the CRCT cheating scandal can be found at

Also, in a recent article by Cascade Patch, as having more than usual  erasures on the CRCT of changing incorrect answers into correct.

The three schools cited as having more classes flagged for cheating on the 2009 CRCT are in southwest Atlanta, an initial Cascade Patch review of an investigators' report found.

According to an extensive state investigators' report, published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Parks Middle School, 1090 Windsor St., in the Pittsburgh community, led the state with 89.5% of classes at the school flagged for cheating on the state Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT).

Gideons Elementary, 897 Welch St., followed with 88.4% flagged and Peyton Forest Elementary School, 301 Peyton Rd., was third with 86.1%. The findings appear on page 22 of the 3-volume report by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement

Meanwhile, in a recent announcement by . Boazman  hosts   “Too Much Truth," on WAOK 1380-AM's, is giving Atlanta Public Schools students and graduates a reason to feel proud with his "I Am APS" campaign.

Furthermore, on his personal Facebook page, Boazman asked APS graduates to give the year and school from which they graduated. As of 4:40 a.m. Friday, he had 118 posted.

Boazman posted this comment on Facebook:

"The APS cheating scandal has painted with a broad brush ALL students, parents, teachers, administrators as cheaters. This is not the case. I AM APS! Are you? Stand up and be counted. Where's my APS Family?" 

Boazman, a 1984 honors graduate of North Fulton High School's International Baccalaureate program.

The scandal has netted Atlanta national news attention release in the wake of the high-profile schools cheating.  Other actions within the week includes the The Atlanta School Board voting Thursday to give interim Superintendent Erroll B. Davis, Jr., a one-year contract so that he can make changes. The board decision effectively suspends the search for a permanent superintendent to replace Beverly Hall.

Furthermore, within last month, stepped down from his position as chairman of the Atlanta School Board. The board has been under much scrutiny after being put on probation for infighting.  

With a seven to one vote, District 1 School Board Representative Brenda Muhammed was named as the new chairwoman. She has also previously served as president and vice president of the board.

Possible disciplinary actions by the Atlanta Board of Education and criminal charges by the State of Georgia will be filed for those  educators involved in the scandal.

Editor's Note: Cascade Patch has confirmed the meeting but did not attend. We will report on the outcome as soon as additional information is available.