Former Perdue adviser: Leaders of systems implicated in CRCT scandal ought to step down
I first met researcher Ben Scafidi, then at GSU, at a conference on school resegregation where he presented a paper. Soon after, he became Gov. Perdue’s education adviser. We have philosophical differences, but I think he is true to his principles and I think he is always forthcoming on what he’s thinking.
You will likely agree once you read his piece on the CRCT cheating probe.
Now chairman of the state’s new Charter Schools Commission and a professor at Georgia College & State University, Scafidi wrote this piece for the op-ed page.
By Ben Scafidi
When Bernie Madoff and his accomplices embezzled billions from clients out of the world’s largest Ponzi scheme, it wasn’t the traders who ran the company who were sent to prison. Instead, Madoff himself earned a life sentence for the collapse of his securities firm.
So, too, should those at the top of public schools that have experienced widespread cheating during the Georgia CRCT be held accountable for what happened in their schools. For top brass to keep their jobs would be like BP’s CEO Tony Hayward keeping control of the company despite the largest oil spill in U.S. history.
But the education establishment continues to protect itself at the expense of Georgia children. Since this scandal broke last year and evidence emerged this month that cheating was indisputable in hundreds of schools, all we’ve heard is excuses including blaming kids for doodling on their exams to failure to properly erase and change their own answers.
The state identified classrooms as having “cheating problems” if the number of erasures from wrong to right answers were dramatically above the average for their grade level and subject.
An audit of the tests showed that there were, in fact, an extremely high number of answers changed on tests, and they weren’t changed by students.
What is the likelihood that a classroom of 20 students had erasures from wrong to right? If this occurred by random chance, the likelihood is one in 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. That number is too large to even have a name — but with 39 zeros, it is quite an impossible chance.
Yet last year, some school districts were able to beat those odds because some wanted to take an easy route to show success for their students.
Once state monitors were put in place, test scores statewide dropped significantly this year in many schools that obviously had cheating problems. That leads many of us to believe that cheating occurred on important exams in 2009 and potentially earlier.
● In Dougherty County, for example, the fifth-grade reading pass rate at Martin Luther King Elementary in Albany dropped by 45 percentage points, after the independent probe of the 2009 test results showed cheating.
● At Atlanta Public Schools’ White Elementary, 88 percent of third-graders supposedly passed the CRCT’s math exam in 2009. This year, with monitors in place, only 27 percent of third-graders passed the math exam at the same school. This disparity in results should not only be shocking to parents but taxpayers who pay high taxes to fund public schools.
● National Assessment of Educational Progress scores, by contrast, increased significantly between 2002 and 2009 — a statistic that Atlanta Superintendent Beverly Hall defends as indicative of foolproof testing in her school system. Yet the sample of students taking the exam has changed since 2002 versus 2009, leading to questions whether the NAEP sample truly reflects the population of the school district and thus the true learning outcomes of Atlanta students.
It all comes down to this: Adults are supposed to set an example for children and teach them how to be successful grown-ups. When adults cheat, they send the wrong message to pupils that shortcuts are acceptable over hard work and learning.
This scandal is particularly harmful to kids because under state policy, those who fail the CRCT often are entitled to extra tutoring. Georgia parents are being misled about the quality of their public schools and whether their child is learning.
For the next few weeks, there is a fear that we will continue to see the business community enable school leaders in Atlanta and other districts where there has been cheating. To date, no leader had demanded real accountability for a scandal that hurts young people. Until all stakeholders say enough is enough, they, too, are morally responsible for another generation of children being promoted without basic skills needed to read, write, earn college admission or even obtain a significant job.
Just as BP’s Hayward will eventually go, the stakeholders of public education will have to rise up and seek the resignation of those who make excuses for cheating and failure. Kids don’t deserve the blame. Responsibility starts at the top.
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122 comments Add your comment
Readers do your job
June 30th, 2010
9:49 pm
All the facts, just to clarify. Before anybody says anything negative about Dr. Hall, you want to wait for a report, commissioned by a panel with members who said it was impossible for Dr. Hall to have cheated?
What else are you waiting on All the facts? An order for an industrial size box of erasers with Dr. Hall’s signature on the invoice?
Dr. John Trotter
June 30th, 2010
9:50 pm
Oh, by the way, “Former Teacher” (or Mark Elgart himself or one of his acolytes), if “John Trotter” controlled school board members and had so much influence in Clayton County (and I even read on the blogs that I still “control” current school board members — and even Bivins and Garrett whom I have never met nor communicated with by phone, computer, or pigeon), then why didn’t Mark Elgart mention me or MACE by name? Was he afraid? I guess that I should just get on with my “bad self” (to borrow James Brown’s phrase). No, you are apparently small-minded, paranoid, and believe in every conspiracy theory which comes down the pike. As far me wanting an administrative job in Clayton County, if you only knew…I do indeed have the best job in the world right now. If you only knew. I was an assistant principal of a large high school here in Georgia at 27 years of age. Could have played the game and been a superintendent easily by 35. One problem, however: I don’t eat “poo poo” even in capsule form. Never even tried to acquire the taste. Oh, by the way, I was the only (yes, ONLY) person in the history of the Clayton County School System who had to go through an extensive community screening committee (composed of teachers, parents, students, and community people). For some strange reason, I kept coming out number one in the voting. I first met Valencia Seay at this committee. She also pushed for me, and I later encouraged her to run for the school board. She ran and won and was the first African American elected to the Clayton County Board of Education.
Valencia is now a State Senator. One older school board member apparently stated (and a person was going to testify in Federal Court on the first day of trial, but Senior Judge Schoob ordered us back to mediation and a settlement was reached) that he “liked Trotter O. K. but he got mixed up with those n_ggers in North Clayton.” But, this “gentleman” did not redact the word at all. I don’t know, but perhaps you too are still upset with me because I helped many African Americans to get elected in the racist Clayton County. (In fact, another State Representative — whom I recruited and managed his campaign — just called me a few minutes ago. Again, he handedly defeated a “favorite” white legislator and shocked the political establishment in old Clayton County. I was blamed for this too.)
Gotta run. Having way too much fun here. I like having fun and doing what I want to do without giving a rat’s _ss what anyone else thinks, including you. By the way, I continued to help many whites to get elected and re-elected but when someone is racist, he or she can’t see beyond race. Try to get over losing your beloved Clayton County. You still have Anne and Bill’s in Forest Park.
bootney farnsworth
June 30th, 2010
9:59 pm
@ readers
enough already. any legitimate point you had to make long ago got lost in your holier than thou ranting.
many of us here -myself among them- have long given the AJC a large ration of grief for their failure to do their jobs. especially when we often gift wrap leads for them. only the AJC knows what politics make them give political cover to these crooks.
that said, most of us who’ve been here for any lenght of time already know the AJC for what it is, and voted with our dollars.
Dr. John Trotter
June 30th, 2010
9:59 pm
Response To Elgart or His Acolyte.
Oh, by the way, “Former Teacher” (or Mark Elgart himself or one of his acolytes), if “John Trotter” controlled school board members and had so much influence in Clayton County (and I even read on the blogs that I still “control” current school board members — and even Bivins and Garrett whom I have never met nor communicated with by phone, computer, or pigeon), then why didn’t Mark Elgart mention me or MACE by name? Was he afraid? I guess that I should just get on with my “bad self” (to borrow James Brown’s phrase). No, you are apparently small-minded, paranoid, and believe in every conspiracy theory which comes down the pike. As far me wanting an administrative job in Clayton County, if you only knew…I do indeed have the best job in the world right now. If you only knew. I was an assistant principal of a large high school here in Georgia at 27 years of age. Could have played the game and been a superintendent easily by 35. One problem, however: I don’t eat “poo poo” even in capsule form. Never even tried to acquire the taste. Oh, by the way, I was the only (yes, ONLY) person in the history of the Clayton County School System who had to go through an extensive community screening committee (composed of teachers, parents, students, and community people). For some strange reason, I kept coming out number one in the voting. I first met Valencia Seay at this committee. She also pushed for me, and I later encouraged her to run for the school board. She ran and won and was the first African American elected to the Clayton County Board of Education.
Dr. John Trotter
June 30th, 2010
10:03 pm
[Sorry but the last two paragraphs were cut off in the last posting. Tchau.]
Response To Elgart or His Acolyte.
Oh, by the way, “Former Teacher” (or Mark Elgart himself or one of his acolytes), if “John Trotter” controlled school board members and had so much influence in Clayton County (and I even read on the blogs that I still “control” current school board members — and even Bivins and Garrett whom I have never met nor communicated with by phone, computer, or pigeon), then why didn’t Mark Elgart mention me or MACE by name? Was he afraid? I guess that I should just get on with my “bad self” (to borrow James Brown’s phrase). No, you are apparently small-minded, paranoid, and believe in every conspiracy theory which comes down the pike. As far me wanting an administrative job in Clayton County, if you only knew…I do indeed have the best job in the world right now. If you only knew. I was an assistant principal of a large high school here in Georgia at 27 years of age. Could have played the game and been a superintendent easily by 35. One problem, however: I don’t eat “poo poo” even in capsule form. Never even tried to acquire the taste. Oh, by the way, I was the only (yes, ONLY) person in the history of the Clayton County School System who had to go through an extensive community screening committee (composed of teachers, parents, students, and community people). For some strange reason, I kept coming out number one in the voting. I first met Valencia Seay at this committee. She also pushed for me, and I later encouraged her to run for the school board. She ran and won and was the first African American elected to the Clayton County Board of Education.
Valencia is now a State Senator. One older school board member apparently stated (and a person was going to testify in Federal Court on the first day of trial, but Senior Judge Schoob ordered us back to mediation and a settlement was reached) that he “liked Trotter O. K. but he got mixed up with those n_ggers in North Clayton.” But, this “gentleman” did not redact the word at all. I don’t know, but perhaps you too are still upset with me because I helped many African Americans to get elected in the racist Clayton County. (In fact, another State Representative — whom I recruited and managed his campaign — just called me a few minutes ago. Again, he handedly defeated a “favorite” white legislator and shocked the political establishment in old Clayton County. I was blamed for this too.)
Gotta run. Having way too much fun here. I like having fun and doing what I want to do without giving a rat’s _ss what anyone else thinks, including you. By the way, I continued to help many whites to get elected and re-elected but when someone is racist, he or she can’t see beyond race. Try to get over losing your beloved Clayton County. You still have Anne and Bill’s in Forest Park.
bootney farnsworth
June 30th, 2010
10:04 pm
“I first met Valencia Seay at this committee. She also pushed for me, and I later encouraged her to run for the school board. She ran and won and was the first African American elected to the Clayton County Board of Education.”
and why did you feel it necessary to invoke her race in this comment?
Dr. John Trotter
June 30th, 2010
10:14 pm
Bootney, Ever heard of history? Historical fact, partner. I make historical references but do note that you (under your myriad monikers) invoke race rather contemptuously. Still trying to overcome that South Georgia upbringing, are we? Say “hello” to your folk in Vidalia, OK?
Dr. John Trotter
June 30th, 2010
10:18 pm
Response To Elgart or His Acolyte.
Oh, by the way, “Former Teacher” (or Mark Elgart himself or one of his acolytes), if “John Trotter” controlled school board members and had so much influence in Clayton County (and I even read on the blogs that I still “control” current school board members — and even Bivins and Garrett whom I have never met nor communicated with by phone, computer, or pigeon), then why didn’t Mark Elgart mention me or MACE by name? Was he afraid? I guess that I should just get on with my “bad self” (to borrow James Brown’s phrase). No, you are apparently small-minded, paranoid, and believe in every conspiracy theory which comes down the pike. As far me wanting an administrative job in Clayton County, if you only knew…I do indeed have the best job in the world right now. If you only knew. I was an assistant principal of a large high school here in Georgia at 27 years of age. Could have played the game and been a superintendent easily by 35. One problem, however: I don’t eat “s__t” even in capsule form. Never even tried to acquire the taste. Oh, by the way, I was the only (yes, ONLY) person in the history of the Clayton County School System who had to go through an extensive community screening committee (composed of teachers, parents, students, and community people). For some strange reason, I kept coming out number one in the voting. I first met Valencia Seay at this committee. She also pushed for me, and I later encouraged her to run for the school board. She ran and won and was the first African American elected to the Clayton County Board of Education.
Valencia is now a State Senator. One older school board member apparently stated (and a person was going to testify in Federal Court on the first day of trial, but Senior Judge Schoob ordered us back to mediation and a settlement was reached) that he “liked Trotter O. K. but he got mixed up with those n___ers in North Clayton.” But, this “gentleman” did not redact the word at all. I don’t know, but perhaps you too are still upset with me because I helped many African Americans to get elected in the racist Clayton County. (In fact, another State Representative — whom I recruited and managed his campaign — just called me a few minutes ago. Again, he handedly defeated a “favorite” white legislator and shocked the political establishment in old Clayton County. I was blamed for this too.)
Gotta run. Having way too much fun here. I like having fun and doing what I want to do without giving a rat’s _ss what anyone else thinks, including you. By the way, I continued to help many whites to get elected and re-elected but when someone is racist, he or she can’t see beyond race. Try to get over losing your beloved Clayton County. You still have Anne and Bill’s in Forest Park.
Readers do your job
June 30th, 2010
10:20 pm
@Readers, And I share those vociferous criticisms with my desk mates — Kyle Wingfield, Ken Foskett and Andre — who have come to expect my daily recitations of your latest critiques.
Well Maureen, that begs the question; why not bring them on the blog? They are experienced professional writers working at one of the major dailys in the United States right?
Certainly three battle tested veterans, with professionally honed writing skills have the mettle to easily hold their own against mere bloggers without said credentials, who are prone to bizarre distortions to boot?
Right?
@Former CCPS teacher
June 30th, 2010
10:26 pm
Ever notice when someone challenges Dr. Trotter directly on the facts, when he responds how quickly they disappear?
Dr. Trotter, long before the AJC started this series, told you APS engaged in blatant cheating.
Dr. Trotter, long before he was arrested, told you Crawford Lewis was a fraud.
But has Mark Elgart investigated either system?
Come one back here Former CCPS teacher, and tell us how SACS has the best interests of students at heart when they haven’t investigate a system whose highest ranking members are currently under RICO indictments.
By the way Former, are you talking about the BOE in Clayton that had a majority GAE voting block? That’s the one that your referring to right?
Former CCPS teacher
June 30th, 2010
10:44 pm
John- I knew you’d be more than happy to share yet another inane diatribe with us. Your temper is absurd, as usual. BTW, you’re the one mentioning a racial issue. I didn’t care about color, and still don’t. Those that didn’t last long, without your “input”, I’m sure. You hardly single-handedly changed anyone’s view. Changing populations did that, as well they should have. Those who were backward enough to fight it have, thankfully, left or died off. I for one supported the changes- and Valencia Seay by the way. That was hardly your personal victory.
As to your not taking the “poo-poo”, basically what that means is that you didn’t play by the rules and thought you should be able to change the rules to fit your definition. That was your problem, you couldn’t see the point that changes happen over time and that some of your views might just have been accepted if presented in a professional manner. If you’d had the sense to know how to deal with people, you might have succeeded. The bull in the china shop eventually gets treated as just that- a destructive bull. The axe you’ve been grinding for years still hasn’t worn down, and I really wish it would. You wouldn’t take the poo, but you sure have been consistent about flinging it.
Good debating with you. It is indeed a source of great entertainment to see Don Quixote tilting at the windmills still.
Teaching in FL is worse
June 30th, 2010
11:00 pm
I could be missing the boat in all this, since I teach in Forsyth and don’t get the politics on APS.It boils down to each employee having to take personal responsibitliy and decide what rules they will follw and what they will ignore, regardless of the circumstance. To blame one person for putting pressure is to pass the buck.
Since I have the summer off now, I might just craft an op-ed of my own.
Unfortunately the business world seems to get away with the corruption they spew, setting a bad precedent. I didn’t see many head roll when the banks starting to crash.
Dr. John Trotter
June 30th, 2010
11:06 pm
“Former”: Have mental telepathy, do you? Angry? Boy, I’m laughing as I respond to your rather anemic posts. Duelling with an unarmed man or woman! LOL. Fetch you verbal yager, will you, and quit imploring for me to be mediocre like you apparently are, OK? I am sure that you are a nice person, a nice and patient person of the old Claytonic Order. I am sorry, but I just would not stand by and allow any yahoo violate my Constitutional rights. Now if that made me and still makes me to be a troublemaker, then more power to me. I was born to cause trouble. I live my life to the fullest…like I want to live it, without kissing any Clayco a_s or anyone else’s. If you like kissing a_s, then more power to you. Go for it. Tenha boa noite, OK? Voce e gente boa. Tchau. Sola gratia ou gracia. What is it, G Man?
Former CCPS teacher
June 30th, 2010
11:32 pm
Thanks for taking the bait John and doing exactly what I knew you’d do- it’s always so funny to see how quickly you anger. You are right, you do seem born to cause trouble- at least your’re consistent about it. Keep at it- you provide a great deal of entertainment for those of us in the real world. It’s amazing how bitterness can eat at a person.
Just keep going after the dragons, and I’m sure Sancho will keep you up on the horse. The windmill is what it is…
An advocate for public education change & choice
July 1st, 2010
11:09 am
When you compare and contrast what they have wrought, the tentures of Beverly Hall and former ATL mayor Shirley Franklin are quite simular in nature.
Just a curious observation..
@advocate
July 1st, 2010
11:12 am
Might be skewing toward comparisons to Bill Campbell before it’s all over
justbrowsing
July 1st, 2010
12:58 pm
politics is politics- whether it has a cutting urban edge to it- or is one conducted by Georgia’s good ol’ boys system. Different faces, same practices. One less covert.
Teacher Twill
July 1st, 2010
6:52 pm
The premise of the blog if flawed. If they looked at 2009 class of third graders as compared to them as 4th graders in 2010, then they would have a valid comparisons. Or this years third graders to their second grade scores. However what your comparing is apples to oranges which any intelligent world can see. Wake up people and stop BLAMESTORMING.
) Teachers and administrators are not the enemy.
Go Teacher Twit; I mean Twill
July 1st, 2010
7:28 pm
Yeah and guess what Twill; if all those classes that supposedly “cheated” they why is it that, even as third graders, they scored higher on the SAT than the incoming freshman at MIT?
You know why Teacher Twill. It’s because the data driven instruction and researched based best practices APS pioneered worked. That’s why, out of all school systems in Georgia, APS finished in the TOP 169 school systems, but they don’t want to give APS credit for that.
It just plain jealousy, that’s all it is.
Keep on telling the truth Teacher Twill! Don’t let the propaganda about “cheating” stop you.
Economicwoes
July 2nd, 2010
7:22 am
Spare us this nonsense. Why doesn’t Purdue ask that those central office employee’s at GCPS who lied on their resume, were unqualified for their jobs, didn’t do their jobs, harassed their colleagues and had someone else do their job, be fired. I guess $100,000,000 in salaries savings isn’t enough for his concern.
Andrew Cameron
July 5th, 2010
7:39 pm
Maureen I enjoy reading your blogs, I don’t always agree but I must say you really pick the heated topics.
I really don’t see any issue more important that education..
Thanks
Maureen Downey
July 5th, 2010
7:46 pm
@Andrew, Thanks for reading the blog. I try to pick a variety of topics that I think will interest a range of readers. (I don’t always succeed.) Please feel free to send suggestions.
Maureen