Was there ever a question about whether cheating educators would keep their APS jobs?
I didn’t think there would be any question about this, but the APS board and interim Superintendent Erroll Davis felt it necessary to hold a press conference today to declare that system employees who cheated on state tests will lose their jobs.
“Anyone who cheated or was responsible will not work in front of children in Atlanta again,” said Davis, flanked by the majority of the APS Board of Education.
According to the AJC:
Board members said they expect immediate action once all the information is available, but board chairman Brenda Muhammad said the board will look ahead, “committed to making sure this never, ever happens again.”
Although the board has a lot to discuss and has not seen the report yet, Muhammad said it is focused on moving forward. That “doesn’t mean beating up Beverly Hall,” she said.
Gov. Nathan Deal warned Tuesday morning “there will be consequences” for educators who cheated in Atlanta Public Schools.
In a news conference at the state Capitol, Deal said that three district attorneys, interim Superintendent Erroll Davis and the state educator licensing board are receiving full copies of a detailed report submitted by special investigators that lays out a decade of organized, systemic cheating in the Atlanta district.
Deal did not release the report, instead providing the media with a two-page summary. He said the report names 178 educators, including 38 principals, as participants in cheating. More than 80 confessed. The investigators said they confirmed cheating in 44 of 56 Atlanta schools they examined.
“The report’s findings are troubling, but I am encouraged this investigation will bring closure to problems that existed in the Atlanta public schools,” Deal said. “I am confident that brighter days lie ahead.”
Deal cut questions from the media off after 10 minutes and would not allow the two special investigators present, former Attorney General Mike Bowers and former DeKalb County District Attorney Bob Wilson, to answer any questions.
Deal said the state Attorney General’s office is considering whether Deal’s office should release the full report.
Deal said he could not discuss any district employees the report accuses of wrongdoing or talk about what criminal charges might apply. Asked whether former Superintendent Beverly Hall, who stepped down at the end of her contract Thursday, should be penalized, he said “that is not a determination for me to make.”
–From Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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77 comments Add your comment
MM
July 5th, 2011
7:44 pm
Anyone who suggests that “it’s time to move on” should be ignored as now is the only time that public attention will be sufficiently focused to get anything changed. The people who say such things know this is true and are just trying to preserve their stake in this rotten APS and “Civic” system (the Metro Chamber, CAP, etc.). By extention they are as corrupt and rotten as the system the seek to preserve.
And this includes, as much as anyone, now APS board chair Brenda Muhammed who said the board should look ahead, “committed to making sure this never, ever happens again.” Nothing to see, just move along. She is part of the dysfunctional civic and business elites like Sam Williams that have brought so much misery to so many. She’s not part of the solution, she is a part of the problem. Likewise, anyone connected with the “Blue Ribbon” commission. Likewise, anyone who has tried to get you to fall for SACS being part of a solution instead of a distraction.
All these people should be shunned and treated as the pariahs they are. Jail, too. They should volunteer to repay all salaries and bonuses including the $580,000 Beverly Harvard got just in bonses.
Finally, the local media deserve to be called out for the gutless wonders thay are (AJC mostly excepted). I can still hear the WSB-TV “news team” announcing the Blue Ribbon’s conclusion that the “possible” cheating was limited to a maximum of 6 schools. They repeated the lies of the Commission’s report as if they were absolute fact. Make no mistake, the WSB’s of this world are just as vile as the APS gangsters. The are an apt fit in the “civic” culture of Atlanta.
S. Smith
July 5th, 2011
7:47 pm
Stop hating on Beverly Hall! She is an honorable woman that demanded EXECELLENCE! Unfortunately that drove some APS staff to cheat. They could not handle the pressure. She will not due any time because she has not intentionally done wrong by ANYONE. She was paid fairly based on her job! Research pay scales for her job! Stop Hating-PLEASE! Some people can not handle the Demand for Excellence! They just want the EASY WAY OUT. It only takes 1 BAD APPLE TO DETROY THE ENTIRE BUCKET!
NOBAMA2012
July 5th, 2011
7:59 pm
Beverly and her folk need to be introduced to RICO. I heard he is staying at the Richard Russell Building…..
Maureen Downey
July 5th, 2011
8:02 pm
The AJC has now posted the entire report in an easy-to-read format
http://www.ajc.com/news/volume-1-of-special-1000798.html
Old School
July 5th, 2011
8:08 pm
@I’m a taxpayer. Are you Mr. Hall. Methinks you doth protest too much.
amazed
July 5th, 2011
8:15 pm
The honorable Beverly Hall. 3rd page of the report. APS general counsel “one of her main duties was to provide superintendent Hall with “deniability.”
Who me cheat??
July 5th, 2011
8:16 pm
Beverly Hall. Atlanta’s version of Charlie “I’m a veteran, not a cheat” Rangel…..
just watching
July 5th, 2011
11:30 pm
To quote…“Anyone who cheated or was responsible will not work in front of children in Atlanta again,” said Davis, flanked by the majority of the APS Board of Education.
Did he actually go on to say they would be fired?
I seem to recall the 12 principals initially accused of cheating from the beginning of this mess being moved to the district office for jobs where they would not be working directly in schools. Sort of Japanese style punishment…but unfortunately they were actually given something to do.
former APS teacher
July 6th, 2011
2:05 am
They should be fired. However, I think the teachers at Benteen should not be held responsible for what their administrative staff did. I hope that Clayton County does not hire these rejects.
Doris M
July 6th, 2011
7:12 am
All of Beverly Hall’s senior staff should be dismissed. All the SRT executive directors, the law staff, the chief of staff, the HR head and anyone else who participated in this great cover up.
Dr NO
July 6th, 2011
8:46 am
“Brenda Muhammad said the board will look ahead, “committed to making sure this never, ever happens again.”
LOL…just empty words from empty heads. These people know only about fraud, lying, extortion etc. Put them in prison!! Not jail, PRISION!
GCTeacher
July 6th, 2011
9:51 am
This is exactly why the “Race to the Top” program willl NEVER work. If you think this cheating scandal is bad, wait until you base teacher pay on whether or not students pass the CRCT.
is it any wonder
July 6th, 2011
11:00 am
@ Doris, and recoup bonuses and incentives
Title1Educator
July 6th, 2011
12:50 pm
S. Smith “Beverly Hall…did not bring on this fiasco intentionally . Folish [sic] people cannot see this whole issue was brought on because she demanded excellance.”
No, she demanded data by any means necessary. She refused to even visit APS schools on a regular basis, although APS is an increasingly small district especially for an urban area. I think that’s because the evidence of her own eyes would’ve conflicted with such data. Did you read the article where her general counsel was quoted saying that she was aloof from the schools and delegated to subordinates to have deniability. It’s like reminds me of the Reagan and the Oliver North scandal. If she was as good a person as you imagine, she would have resigned in shame for what her brand of leadership actually wrought.
My question is what about her incurrs your sympathy rather the teachers who admitted that they were pressured to lie, obfuscate or cheat? Rather than the thousands of students over the course of years who’ve been set up for failure and dropping out since they won’t get the additional supports that could have saved them? I was infuriated to see this woman accept awards and bonuses based on obvious lies (test scores and grad rates). To each their own…
Understanding Atlanta
July 6th, 2011
12:51 pm
This is really disheartening. This is a prime example of what’s wrong with a culture of not evaluating a child’s progress but rather comparing one group to another. What happened in APS is an atrocity and those who orchestrated this fiasco should be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law. But the administrators aren’t the only ones to blame. I still find it difficult to believe that these parents, especially at some of the worst schools, didn’t think something was a little fishy…maybe that shows the level of parental involvement.
According to the bell curve if you’ve got 30 students – 12-15 will be average. What about the ones below average that were never on grade level and expect a teacher in a room of 30 students at varying levels to get every child to meet or even exceed expectations?
APS Parent
July 6th, 2011
12:58 pm
So many layers of disgustingness. Let’s see if this covers it, from the bottom up.
1. Kids were stamped as achieving, when they were not. They were passed on to struggle more, with no one the wiser. How do parents even know what my kids’ scores really were??? And how do parents explain to kids that these authority figures, who are among the most important role models to kids, are actually criminals who cheated kids out of a proper education? How does this affect kids’ trust of the education system and its authority figures going forward?
2. Teachers who cheated were directly and indirectly rewarded. Teachers who didn’t cheat were directly and indirectly punished, or implicated without even being aware.
3. Adminstrators dictated cheating or looked the other way, collecting accolades and bonuses. They intimidated and threatened anyone who didn’t get in line or tried to whistle-blow. GREED.
4. Adminstrators who ran a tight ship and didn’t cheat, were seen as less effective than their cheating counterparts.
5. “Testing coordinators” are employees of APS! Are you kidding me?!? Fox in henhouse. Let me guess, were these coordinators’ salaries/contract renewals tied to student performance?
6. God knows how many layers of management passed on the too-good-to-be-true scores, collecting their own accolades, promotions, and bonuses. GREED.
7. And then there was Beverly Hall. There is a special seat reserved for her in hell. Buck stops (and starts) at the top. Let’s be honest here. Whether she directly knew or was STRATEGICALLY ignorant of the cheating, she knew that these numbers were statistically impossible. Yet she cashed in on the praise and rewards like every other layer of management. GREED.
8. Our data-driven testing culture. Let’s face it. Tying salary to student performance is an engraved invitation to find any which way to cheat. Unfortunately for many people, $$$ tops ethics. The only way to make this work is to have non-APS employees administer these tests….period.
9. Any ATL business leaders who tried to cover this up in order to protect the brand: you make me sick. You put the brand above innocent children. GREED.
Beverly Hall needs to be put in jail….with the walls of her cell lined with pictures of the faces of the children who she cheated. Other layers, yes/no/maybe to jail time. But for her….no question. Disgusting. Those poor kinds.
KenFromCalifornia
July 6th, 2011
1:01 pm
the fraud thing will be the main charge that sticks and puts them in jail/prison.
knowing the results were false, but you accepted the financial rewards anyway? yeah, that’s like filling out a phony expense report and cashing in the extra paycheck. sounds like fraud to me.
how wonderful it is to be named such an exceptional superintendant when so much felony criminal activity is going on right under your nose and you have no clue. and your top-heavy administrative structure? all those assistant superintendants you hired were equally unaware. seems like such a huge waste of payroll having these folks in charge.
all whistle-blowers who got harrassed, ignored, intimidated, and fired….go get ‘em.
Ole Guy
July 6th, 2011
2:08 pm
The very fact that this issue should even come into question speaks…no, shouts…volumns of the “lowest common denominator/rock-bottom minimums” mindset which prevails within the educational circus. EVERYONE, and I mean EVERYONE remotely associated with this fiasco should be removed from any relationship with the educational camp. This should START with pulling all licensure, followed by court action which does far more than administer wrist slaps.
As long as this crap, in any form or fashion, is allowed to go without the most severe consequence, all further educational “reform” is entirely moot.
How bout you people wake up, pull your collective heads out of your collective six, and get with it!
A Conservative Voice
July 6th, 2011
2:41 pm
@Maureen – Was there ever a question about whether cheating educators would keep their APS jobs?
Well, there shouldn’t have been; however, look what happened in Orlando yesterday. At days end, most of these cheaters will still have a job, hopefully making license plates.
say what?
July 6th, 2011
9:14 pm
Keep your job? Yep, as long as your school shows increases. In DCSS @ Columbia Middle, the principal behaves just the same as Mr. Waller, but as long as test scores are up she could sing Cee-Lo Green’s song to every parent, every teacher, every staff member. What the county refuses to address at that school is how can you be happy and proud of being #2 in the state, #1 in the county for discipline referrals? If these kids are being disciplined with ISS and Out of school suspension, then they are NOT in the classroom learning, thus being equipped to pass any tests given.
KenFromCalifornia
July 7th, 2011
1:44 am
@Laurie “hear-hear!!”
Just Wow - Atlanta Public Schools, bunch of cheaters (And not the students)
July 7th, 2011
2:40 pm
[...] education and the stupid concept of performance pay based on test scores and graduation rates. Was there ever a question about whether cheating educators would keep their APS jobs? | Get Schooled …the report names 178 educators, including 38 principals, as participants in cheating. More [...]
Dr. Norma Parker
July 7th, 2011
11:36 pm
Did or didn’t know the consequences for cheating on the Criterion-Referenced? Competency Tests (CRCT). When a teacher applies for a Georgia teaching certificate, the rules and regulations are given for a certificate being revoked. Many teachers are caught up in the CRCT cheating probe which is a cause for probation or certification being revoked. What would actually cause a teacher to jeopardize his or her means of living to cheat on a standardized test? How do you prove yourself worthy of teaching children if you are easily seduced to a dishonest act? What were you hoping to gain from cheating? The word cheat is incriminating or dishonesty in the laws of humanity. Now, teachers are screaming harassment or hostile environment. If the system of follow protocol fails, then seek another means of reporting misconduct among administrators. However, if you were afraid of losing a job, or getting a fair reference, then take being honest rather than having a dishonest or incriminating record.
I want to have sympathy for the teachers but as an educator, I have seen too many teachers to do things for a possible promotion. Yes, I said it! Some teachers are for the children but some for their own selfish gains. The buddy to buddy relationship has failed our schools. Within the CRCT report, some teachers reported the cheating allegations but were terminated or placed on a Professional Development Plan. Those individuals should be saved from this criminal shame. Robert Frost stated it wisely in the “Road Not Taken,” make the right choice, it no EXCUSE!
Gerardi
July 10th, 2011
1:07 pm
I respected Ms. Mohammed. Not anymore. YES. YES, YES…Bev Hall should get a beatdown and return all of her bonuses for all “progress” students made. I think EVERY principal appointed under Mike Pitts should be replaced. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Lanay
July 10th, 2011
4:57 pm
If a child progresses any during a given school year, then that child is not left behind. The NCLB act should be revised. Teaching is not a one size fit all, but the test is. Teachers were taught to use all kinds of different strategies for different learners, but when it is test time they are all tested the same way. As a former educators the one size fit all test was one of the things I questioned. Maybe if the test was designed to measure real growth, then cheating would not have taken place! If some students are auditory, visual, tactile etc. learners then why is it the test wasn’t designed to measure them properly? That’s the biggest problem as I see it the test doesn’t properly measure students performance. I left the system because of the NCLB inequities. I didn’t think the test was designed to truly measure a child’s growth. Until the test is restructured all of the scores are lies! I do believe students in the urban areas can learn and can exceed expectations, but how are they being measured? Not the way they learn and that’s for sure!
I have friends in APS and I know they go beyond the call of duty to educate the students. It is so unfair to the students and the teachers who are caught up in this travesty. They spend many hours after school tutoring students, buying them clothes (I have even done it), trying to help these students succeed. I remember one year I took a group of first graders to the movies and one girl asked me, “What is that big white paper looking thing for?” She was referring to the screen. She hadn’t ever been to the movies. Exposure makes a difference also, so the students should never be compared to those students who went to Europe for spring break.
It’s always easy for someone on the outside to say what they would have done, but they didn’t have their jobs on the line. And by the way I have NEVER CHEATED on a test, EVER!!!
Lanay
July 10th, 2011
5:09 pm
@ Dr. Norma Parker, you are right some people cheat for personal gain. But I personally know people who were caught up in the cheating scandal and they are not like that. Most of the people are the people who would give a child their last peice of bread! Unfortunately for them they loved what they did so much and knew that what was asked of them was unreasonable they didn’t look at the BIG picture and they got caugt up in the small picture. They tried to make sure they would be there to continue helping children. Their jobs were at risk which also put their family at risk. It’s easy for people to sit back and say what they would not do but until you have walked in their shoes, then you can not say what you would have done. I refused to be subjected to any of the testing foolishness, that’s why I taught kindergarten.
Momma Bear
July 11th, 2011
1:30 pm
As a parent I an afraid for my children. I question the wonderful test scores of my oldest child now in high school, although I know that he is naturally smart. All the past years when he exceeded on that test. Can’t help but to wonder. I am not suprised at all about the report and that there was some wrong doing in the school system. This is just one problem the public school system in Atlanta has many more issues as well. Not only do administrators cheat they lie and most really do not care about the childre and families that they serve. I was in a conference many years ago about my oldest son, who was being transfered to another location for testing and the principal stated that he was one of the children that was expected to exceed on the test and her main concern was which school was going to own his test score. And yes this school is on the list.
With school starting in a few weeks I just wanted to express my concern for my children. Teachers and other school staff should be those “safe people” who you trust your children with. If they cheat or allow themselves to be bullied into cheating what are they teaching our children? Parents please get involved, show up at the schools hang out and found out what and how are with yor children all day. Your minds will better for seeing for yourself. Your kids will enjoy you being there and the teachers and administration may become aware of your interest in your child’s education.