Atlanta's Cheating Test Scores

If you are seeking a position in the education field, maybe you should head to Atlanta, where score districts are reporting higher test scoring these days. Well, maybe not for that reason, but maybe because there will surely be a large amount of opening soon in that city. Reports were recently released showing that the state's test scores that were showing improvement after years of poor numbers, was actually produced from city wide cheating of teachers and faculty members.

At least 44 schools were involved and at least 178 teachers and officials were involved in this scam, with former Superintendent Beverly L. Hall (pictured) listed as being at the center of the whole thing. Dr. Hall was named the 2009 National Superintendent of the Year, and was formerly an administrator of the New York and Newark public schools. She took her position in Atlanta in 1999, and during her time in office, the schools have shown many improvements in various areas.

Cheating is shown to have started in 2001 or earlier, on the state-mandated Criterion-Referenced Competency Test. Teachers involved have reported that they were intimidated and coerced with threats of retaliation if they did not participate, leaving parents torn between defending the teachers who were forced to go along and worrying about any long term effects this may have on their children's education.

Investigators have found that Superintendent Hall’s administration were punishing whistle-blowers, as well as hiding or manipulating information and altered documents related to the tests. The investigator reported that Hall's administration “emphasized test results and public praise to the exclusion of integrity and ethics.”

Maria Peases is a former teacher and current parent of a high schooler, and comments “It becomes a question of what it means to be educated. Does it mean the highest test score? I would argue it does not. This is part and parcel of a general dysfunction that isn’t particular to Atlanta public schools.” It has yet to be determined just how much of a effect these years of cheating will have on all of the students involved.

Atlanta's Mayor Kasim Reed stated this investigation has revealed “a dark day for the Atlanta public school system.”

 

Jeff McCormack resides in Virginia Beach, VA. where he works as a web designer by day. In his off time he is a husband, father, mail order book store manager, and musician. Aside from being a freelance writer for this Education Jobsite blog, he also seeks to assist in career choices and information by contributing to other Nexxt blog sites.