Cheating scandal a serious crisis for Atlanta schools

Now just imagine for a moment the tone of this blog column if it had been a Repug scandal, just sayin….

• Link
• Report this comment

I am shocked.

• Link
• Report this comment

geez, you tie school funding to standardized test results and you’re surprised that there’s corruption???

• Link
• Report this comment

Holy Pinkslip Batman, a cheating scandal in Gotham city.

Thats right Robin, seems our little crime fighters are being cheated out of a quality education by some unorthodox scoundrels.

Right Batman

So Robin how are your foreign language studies proceeding?

Im holding a 3.7 GPA Batman

Thats good to here Robin. NOW contact Commissioner Gordon and tell him we are the way.

Cee Cee Batman.

TO THE BATMOBILE!!

• Link
• Report this comment

geez, you tie school funding to standardized test results and you’re surprised that there’s corruption???

BINGO!

• Link
• Report this comment

“The analysis also found that at 74 schools statewide, including 43 in Atlanta alone”

Thats 58% for Atlanta. Once again the city of Atlanta excells where most fail. YYYIIIIPPPEEEEEEE!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

I’m sure the federal government with No Child Left With A Dime will straighten this all out.

With a few billion dollars.

• Link
• Report this comment

“Anyone firmly grounded in reality knows that if you subtract the ITP Atlanta test scores from the rest of Georgia, we rank above the national average, just sayin….”

got a link to back that up?

• Link
• Report this comment

I believe in this case we can apply a lesson learned in Corporate America. Cheaters and fraudsters, by nature, will cheat if they have the motive, if they can rationalize it, and if they believe they have the opportunity to get away with it. In the corporate environment, the best defense against cheating and fraud is a strong internal control system.

I would say that it’s time to implement a similar set of controls over testing in Georgia’s schools. One possible fix would be to put in place third-party proctors to observe the testing and collect the tests immediately afterward. Or, make state tests computer based so that answers are recorded in real time and cannot be changed after the time is up.

• Link
• Report this comment

I hope you are wrong, Jay. I hope it is not glee, but gallows humor. I suppose it is no wonder parents want their kids in private schools in GA. The problem is, if we flood the private schools with children of disengaged parents, the problem will just follow the students.

I don’t have a kid in school, but we all have an interest in this problem. Money and corruption are part of the problem. Look at the school boards of the failing schools. Those are the people who are supposed to guide policies. What are they focussing on?

• Link
• Report this comment

Not terribly suprising that given the opportunity, adults will try to cheat the system to make the number. My guess is that this is not limited to GA , but we may have found it first. And as usual some of you want to lay blame at the door of a politcal party. I don’t know where all the 110 schools identifed are located but I am sure that both parties will be equally represented and as usual responsible.

• Link
• Report this comment

Holy Crap! Google this topic and the reports of cheating on standardized tests go on and on all over the country.

Nuns who could have qualified for WWE Wrestling gave me a heavy duty disdain for cheaters.

• Link
• Report this comment

Why such joy when stories break about MARTA, to cite another example, while stories about much more serious incompetence at the state DOT just inspire a yawn? There’s a definite pattern.

Shhh!. Some of ‘em gits all reverse uppitied when you start talking with such undertones, real or otherwise.

• Link
• Report this comment

Interesting suggestions, professional skeptic. Both suggestions take funds, which are currently in short supply. But independent proctors might work if the kids were taking the test in a largee enough room to decrease the number of proctors needed. Then, as for an election, hand over all the completed tests to a third party to score. Might work.

• Link
• Report this comment

How can incompetence at the DOT be more serious than short-changing our children’s education at government schools? As with anything else that is controlled by government, “funding” is the goal. Don’t worry about quality, just send us more money, for more programs that will work about as well as the ones we tried last year. What a ridiculous statement about a ridiculous system. Thanks a million, John Dewey!

• Link
• Report this comment

OGK – “haberdashers”

you do realize this word refers to people who make and sell clothing, not the people who wear nice suits, don’t you …

• Link
• Report this comment

JDW – “Are you really this ignorant and uninformed”

yes.

this has been another edition of simple answers to simple questions.

• Link
• Report this comment

whiner – “Maybe you libs should put a sticker in your text books stating that Atlanta’s passing SAT scores are just a theory subject to further review?”

still waiting for that link from you that shows that Atlanta SAT scores are dragging the rest of the state down …

… and waiting …

… and waiting …

• Link
• Report this comment

Something similar happened in NJ a year or so ago.

Maybe we fix the underlying problems with No child Left Behind?

• Link
• Report this comment

USinUK, thanks for the clarification! Where in UK, I lived in Chiswick for several years?

• Link
• Report this comment

Uh ya…meaning they, the haberdashers, probably arent qualified for their jobs.

• Link
• Report this comment

Oh, i see. Now No Child Left Behind is a Democrat initiative??

What are you wing nuts smoking? I want some!

• Link
• Report this comment

Oh ok, let’s all pretend that we do not ease our curriculum so that it does not discriminate nor put to much pressure onto the shoulders of our poor and oppressed youngens.

Let’s act as though we teach American history instead of the fake revisionism of the left wing propaganda stooges, you know, the settlers of this great country being nothing more than bloodthirsty pillagers of innocent Indians folks, to name one instance in a cavalcade of them.

How about fake science? CO2, plant food and human byproduct of respiration is a pollutant?

You live libs live on your planet, and meanwhile, back on Earth…..

• Link
• Report this comment

Is this cheating something new? Or has it been going on all along?

• Link
• Report this comment

Jay, I wish you had not brought up the DOT. Does anyone know how much they spent installing the red lights on the entrance ramps ? Another DOT joke, traffic from Peachtree industrial at 285 is backed up all the way to the street. The ramp lights make as much sense as the traffic calming fiasco. If you ask anyone involved you get the answer that “all the other states are doing it.” Fire them all !

• Link
• Report this comment

i don’t know, I Absorb, there’s a lot of dumb people living OTP as well.

Where do you live?

• Link
• Report this comment

Both Marietta and Cobb school districts scored higher than the state average of 1460 and the national average of 1509. The two systems also increased their scores since last year’s data, with Cobb increasing their average score by 11 and Marietta rising by 54.

You know what I mean?

You libs sit around calling us neanderthals but at least we take care of our children.

• Link
• Report this comment

Atlanta Public Schools placed last on the list with a score of 1244.

And they had to cheat just to get that, hahahaha.

http://mdjonline.com/view/full_story/3296373/article-Cobb–Marietta-above-average-for-SAT-scores

• Link
• Report this comment

UK…remember the SNL sketch “The Scotch Boutique”? They sold only scotch tape…lol.

• Link
• Report this comment

JDW, How do we manage to give them a parent that cares about their education? How can we do that?

• Link
• Report this comment

USinUK, Chiswick was a great choice for me because its halfway between London and Heathrow. Put us together and we could do a great tour. I spent a lot of time in Slough, Windsor, Kensington, Chelsea etc…

• Link
• Report this comment

Gale, you are right that is something we can’t give them. What we can give them is that dash of hope and the opportunity to help themselves. You can’t save them all but you need to get them a path of opportunity.

• Link
• Report this comment

Put in a silly one-size-fits-all test and this is what you get.

How about something sensible, like pre- and post-tests administered by impartial administrators rather than by the very teachers who are going to be judged by the results? Then we’d see who is really teaching. But no, people who wouldn’t know education if it bit them in the hind end mandate the same post-test for everybody–never mind that some schools are populated by students with enormous head starts, while others begin with barely literate students.

Tell me the rules and I’ll play your silly game.

• Link
• Report this comment

And who is missing from this tragic comedy? The Clayton County school system.

The adults in clayton county school system either are not cheating or have the good sense to be successful. Tsk tsk.

• Link
• Report this comment

“interesting breakdown on mean test scores by family income on page 8 of the link … turns out that those in the highest income brackets average”

Ya, its the systems fault.

• Link
• Report this comment

I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm!

“And the results show themselves.”

Finally something we agree on!

Thirty years of predominately Republican rule have brought us to this sorry point in history. Not to say that the Democrats are much better because they allowed it to happen. They are at this point the lesser of the two evils. Maybe one day soon we will have an alternative.

Of course I am sure that you feel no need to “take responsibilty” for the actions of your elected officials. Even as you continue to articulate their failed policies.

• Link
• Report this comment

I clicked over and read the report to see the methodology used to spot the potential cheating. The standards used were very conservative. The schools that were flagged for as potentially serious were REALLY serious. The other shocking thing was that while there were schools across the state where potentially serious issues occurred, there were no school districts where potential cheating was close to being as wide spread as in Atlanta.
The state proposed corrective action which included state monitors in the classroom for the tests this year. Monitored tests with physical controls over the documents will be revealing.
This is a moment for leadership, not coverup or excuses from the superintendent.
Bookman…this is a good column and an important call to fix the problem. Cheating on tests does not help anyone…it hurts the kids.

• Link
• Report this comment

Then I go right back to a return of vocational education, JDW. Too many kids drop out because they do not see a future or job resulting from college. A lot of kids will find hope in the prospect of a livelihood after school.

• Link
• Report this comment

North Fulton, Bookman.

Spin, spin, spin your alternate reality.

We are talking about the APS system, aren’t we?

• Link
• Report this comment

Gale, I think that vocational education is a great point and a great idea. Not everyone is cut out for an academic track. At least give them a way to make a living.

• Link
• Report this comment

Propagation of stupidity, false outrage, and glee found in others’ failures are part and parcel of Palin’s permanent campaign.

This issue is right up Palin’s chute.

• Link
• Report this comment

What a total disservice to your children, negligence extraordinaire, they have failing test scores and had to cheat to get them.

Houston, you got a problem, duh.

You can’t even admit this much?

I’m sicker than a dog but this thread is worth suffering through, just sayin….

• Link
• Report this comment

On the subject of on-ramp lights, I admit to being annoyed when traffic backs up into the side streets. But it did that before too. At least the merge on and off the hiway is safer now where they are opperating.

• Link
• Report this comment

What a total disservice to your children, negligence extraordinaire, they have failing test scores and had to cheat to get them.

Back up the claims you toss out so freely, Whiner. You’re pathetic.

• Link
• Report this comment

It’s a crisis not only in Atlanta but all over the country. No Child Left Behind, ah yes!

Is our children learning?

• Link
• Report this comment

Believe it or not those ramp access lights do keep traffic moving at a faster pace. At first I too was a skeptic, however, the staggered vehicle acccess does seem to be working and it keeps those “line-jumper” at their place in the line.

• Link
• Report this comment

Gale – 8:49 – I sooooooo agree with you – the UK did the same thing and they’re wishing they hadn’t, as well … college isn’t for everyone – we will always need good carpenters, electricians, plumbers and the like – and not everyone is cut out for university. there’s nothing wrong and nothing elitist in that.

• Link
• Report this comment

“No Child Left Behind, ah yes!”

Ya…its the fault of Bush. Just more examples of usual/typical blame game.

Perhaps some pink slips for those teachers involved might motivate the others to act accordingly. Oh but wait…we cant terminate anyone cuz that would be wrong. LOL. Yep…we can promote a child strait into prison but cant punish/terminate an adult.

Makes sense.

• Link
• Report this comment

Teachers and students alike are stressed out because of the ridiculous testing.

I have a neighbor who is a teacher, a wonderful guy, but he’s like a different person during testing time.

I have a friend whose 2nd grader has nightmares about the damn testing.

A 2nd grader!

• Link
• Report this comment

Del – “The public school system has been seriously degraded by their union.”

what does the teacher’s union have to do with this?

• Link
• Report this comment

Too bad they can’t audit how many grades are manipulated so students remain eligible for HOPE.

• Link
• Report this comment

http: //blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/02/bill-clinton-bl.html
It seems as though Bill Clinton thinks that the flaws of No Childs Left Behind were the fault of Kennedy.

• Link
• Report this comment

Granny G: Got the same trainning in elementary school from the nuns! I remember the 12 inch wooden ruler with the metal band they used to “persuad” you to heed their direction. One rap across the nuckles… Also had a few nuns who could throw a blackboard eraser the length of the room and hit her target square on line. Drew Brees and Manning had nothing on them! Neither do some of the linemen!

As for “incompetence at GDOT, remember it was led from the top…Gov Perdue. The staff and managemnt are competent. But when you are led and dominated by politicians, then…

The funding fiasco was led by Perdue to get more projects let…initially. He sold bonds… w/o factoring in the long term principal and debt service to future available revenues. He was briefed regularly on the accounting change from up front funding (encumbered funds) to credit card style funding (monthly income tracking monthly bills) and now fains disbelief that this was possibly illegal. Yeah, right. And you have to remember that the Board is made up of people elected to serve by the politicians (with many board members are ex politicians and developers).

As for the ramp meeters, they have had a positive effect when traffic does not approch log jams on the receiving road. They space cars out to not severely clog the entrancelanes at the main highway. Once the main highway becomes clog, esp due to downstream congestion, they are turned off. As Keith Kallan used to say” Put a fork in it”.

A secondary effect is to limit short trips on the interstates that need to be taking the local roads vs the Interstate…One or two exit downstream trips that overload the entrance and exit ramps. This effect is also the result of not having true arterials, roads with limited/controlled access which move traffic faster than a surface street but not as fast as an interstate.

Now for responding on subject. Let the alledged offending schools take the test again and compare the results without the teachers in attendance. If they change a similar number of answers then they are innocent. If not and the scores are lower, have the offending teacher pay for giving the test and then fire them! If the own up before hand, suspend them. Clean up this mess promptly, or I’m sending in my nuns!

• Link
• Report this comment

They got Limbaugh on tape after he was admitted to the “socialist” health care hospital in Hawaii saying it was the best health care experience he ever had.

A few days later he’s on his show trying to take it back. “What i wanted to say was that I’m glad this happened now before 2013 when obama’s health care goes into effect.”

What a waste of oxygen.

• Link
• Report this comment

“You have to face the facts, there are very few liberals making decisions in GA politics.”

JDW – true, that … even the Dems that were in charge of state government were very conservative – Tom Murphy was a lot of things – liberal, however, was not one of them …

• Link
• Report this comment

There are no teacher unions in GA. There are teacher organizations, but no “unions” in the traditional sense of the term. That idea is a fallacy.

• Link
• Report this comment

Del –

“They protect those who would engage in such fraud.”

first of all, we don’t know WHO was cheating (remember, these are standardized tests, so this is much more of an administrative-level issue than teachers)

secondly, as Jay said, GA doesn’t have teachers unions as you describe them –

so, nice try … but, not so much.

• Link
• Report this comment

… we will always need good carpenters, electricians, plumbers and the like…

actually, no. it’s casually called the housing market crash. you may have heard of this way-below-the-radar phenomena. i hear it’s happening in vegas. but take heart, it will probably end after 7 years or so. that should be no problem for the tradesmen.

but we always need to support an easy bail-out from rigorous education.

• Link
• Report this comment

“the schools fail because they are run by the government and people who can’t make it in the private sector”

OMFG. and I’ll bet he actually believes that, too …

• Link
• Report this comment

“ask Roy Barnes about the fallacy of teacher unions or lack there of as you say.”

ba-HA … a crappy governor loses and election and that’s proof of a teacher’s union???

• Link
• Report this comment

This is absolutely disgusting. Any teacher complicit in this should be terminated with prejudice. Any child whose test was doctored has been victimized. The only person a cheat cheats is himself–in this case out of an education that will have worth. We have such low morals in this country and that those low morals now pervade our teachers is frightening and bodes ill for the future of the country.

• Link
• Report this comment

Will today be the day the Baptists get out of jail?

• Link
• Report this comment

Brad –

“actually, no. it’s casually called the housing market crash. you may have heard of this way-below-the-radar phenomena”

wow. so, electricians ONLY build houses? plumbers ONLY work in new office spaces?

your toilet always works at your house? there are never any electrical storms that cause trees to fall on houses (sorry Bosch)

man. does the phrase “short-sighted” mean anything to you?

• Link
• Report this comment

Brad, you must not own a home. Carpenters, electricians, etc, aren’t just employed on homes under construction.

I need a roofer and a good bathroom tile guy. I had en electrician out about a month ago.

• Link
• Report this comment

Any report that mentions shortcomings in Atlanta will certainly bring out the bigots so they can party. I dare any of you Reporter, Outhouse and alike to walk up to the first minority you see and say what you feel.

• Link
• Report this comment

“USinUK”
ba-HA … a crappy governor loses and election and that’s proof of a teacher’s union???

duh…..yes!!! I don’t believe anybody here on this site would even try to argue that the teacher “clubs” were a huge issue for him getting booted.

And just becasue they don’t have “union” in their name, doesnt mean they dont act like one. So do you think the GAE, MACE, and PAGE is for social networking. Please……..Thanks for playing try again…….

• Link
• Report this comment

Denmark, Sweeden, Norway, France etc. all of those socialist conutries outperforming us in educating their children.

• Link
• Report this comment

It’s Palin’s fault.

• Link
• Report this comment

“Yes, we have the deniers and birthers and flat earthers and such making decisions in our education system in Georgia.

A crying shame.”

We also have Democrats teaching our children…no wonder our education system sucks(hey, you had to go there, didn’t you?),

• Link
• Report this comment

Blame Fox News.

• Link
• Report this comment

“And as a strong supporter of public education, and as a father of two children who thrived in the Atlanta public schools”

I recon anyone could thrive when the test results were being rigged by the teachers! Like most things inside Atlanta, the schools are a joke.

• Link
• Report this comment

Well the public schools in my area are excellent. Far better than the private alternatives. So to me this is semantics at a high level with people sand bagging to make themselves look good. The people in the trenches where I am at are awsome.
So I don’t care about this.

• Link
• Report this comment

del is clueless…

• Link
• Report this comment

The Senate confirmed 27 high-level Obama nominees Thursday evening just days after President Obama threatened to use recess appoints.

Obi-One-Term is maybe learning how this political game works?

• Link
• Report this comment

Peadawg, we also have plenty of Republican teachers. You’d know that if you had children in Georgia public schools right now. My guess is that you don’t know or talk to many public school teachers.

I met one at a party near election time ‘08. I asked her about her job sitch, and her feelings. She said her K classroom was overloaded with 20-something 5 and 6 year olds — more than the student/teacher ratio should be for that age. She said at least two of these kids had special needs (autism, etc. which she was unqualified to address), and she was frustrated that she could not give those kids the one-on-one they needed, but could not ignore the other students. Her budget was non-existent, and she had to buy classroom supplies with her own money. She was a single mom with two kids, living on $35K/yr.

I then told her which state-level Democratic candidate I was working for, and his stance on education funding. She said, “OH, WELL I’M A REPUBLICAN, SO I WOULDN’T VOTE FOR HIM.”

Brilliant.

• Link
• Report this comment

It really is all about socio-economic status. There is no real “Atlanta” school system. There is one system “North of Ponce” and another system “South of Ponce”. The kids in my neighborhood go to Morningside, Garden Hills and North Atlanta High (the ones who don’t go to private school) and their parents seem quite pleased with the education they are receiving.

A friend of mine who is a realtor taught me that you sort listings in Atlanta by the school district they are in, not by number of bedrooms or bath’s.

• Link
• Report this comment

hi not jimmeh!

yep – not the first … prolly not the last … ya gotta do what ya gotta do … particularly when you have people playing politics with the hold-ups … (”oh noes! she can’t be a judge!! she’s teh ghey!!!”)

• Link
• Report this comment

If I had to do it over again, I’d forego my Electronics degree and become a Harley mechanic…I’d be rich!

• Link
• Report this comment

Christian “Science” Teacher Taught Intelligent Design & Burned Cross Onto Student – Case Heats Up

Some people call themselves Christian, but act like religious fascists. Mount Vernon, OH – I will not be visiting.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/2/11/836312/-Xtian-Science-Teacher-Taught-IDBurned-Cross-onto-StudentCase-Heats-Up

• Link
• Report this comment

Peadawg,

I don’t know where you live, but in my county, the Bible Thumper teachers (not Democrats) far outnumber the “liberal” teachers by about 30:1.

• Link
• Report this comment

“One thing you conveniently omitted about the single mom with two kids teacher earning $35K.”

And she made the decision.

• Link
• Report this comment

I see Jimmy’s effigy is back to his blame game again.

• Link
• Report this comment

Cheating scandal….

Awwww (let down). I was hoping Jay had a link to the Edward’s video.

• Link
• Report this comment

JC wannabe, actually, I didn’t presume to know whether she was happy with her life or not. I asked about her feelings about her JOB. In ten minutes, she expressed nothing but frustration about the funding of her school and the expectations put on her by the system, and the inability to get more personnel in there for those children. She didn’t seem to mind digging into her own pocket even though she said she hasn’t much in there to dig out. That the special-needs children were not getting what they needed seemed to pain her the most. I can’t imagine raising kids on that salary where I live, but she is in a smaller, rural town, so maybe that’s a lot of money there.

• Link
• Report this comment

TaxPayer

February 12th, 2010
9:48 am

Thought I’d save you and many libs the time.

• Link
• Report this comment

HDB, 9:50,

Yes!

• Link
• Report this comment

Brad –

“thanks for your retarded corrections”

awww … you just made Sarah Palin cry …

“UK, does the word ‘pedantic’ mean anything to you?”

you say pedantic – I say realist. plumbers / electricians / carpenters retire, quit and move on to do something else. We need to have well-trained people take their places. and, like I said, we will ALWAYS need these jobs, so investing in vocational education now will make sure we have well-trained people in the future.

you want to be against that, then that’s fine. but to say that we shouldn’t invest in the future because of a temporary economic condition is short-sighted.

• Link
• Report this comment

Matilda

February 12th, 2010
9:50 am

But you closed your original post with a sarcastic “brilliant”. I guess if she had confided in you that she was going to vote straight ticket Democrat you would have been good with it. Geez, concentrate on your own life and let others live theirs.

• Link
• Report this comment

faux TaxPayer

February 12th, 2010
9:54 am

Many of you libs seem to like the concept of others doing things for you (govt controlled everything) so I thought you’d appreciate my gesture.

• Link
• Report this comment

It’s A Trap! Stewart Mocks GOP’s Reluctance To Join Health Care Summit

“A paper bag is only a trap if you don’t know how to punch your way out of it” .. well, I guess we can give the GOP credit for realizing it has nothing.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/12/its-a-trap-stewart-mocks_n_459766.html

• Link
• Report this comment

Pretty simple concept – when money is involved, one will usually find cheating (or lower standards).

All one has to do is look at congress.

• Link
• Report this comment

““that they have no responsibility that is too small for the government to handle for them, see any recent speech from our current president” ”

gosh … has anyone seen whiner???

I asked him to provide quotes and links to back up his claim … and he seemed to fall off the face of the planet …

could it be that he made an assertion with absolutely NO basis in reality???

naaaahhhhhhh

• Link
• Report this comment

Call me old fashion but in all these blogs I have not heard one state that the children are molded to learn. They go to school because they have to. Some opt out for the GED. Let them fail! We need ditch diggers, tomatoe pickers, landscapers, brick carriers, carpenter helpers, harvesters, street cleaners, hotel cleaners, and many other jobs that will pay minimum wages or a little above it. Our best and brightest are being dragged down by the democratic plantation pool who EXPECTS government assistance throughout their lives.

Stop paying teachers by their degrees and start paying them by their performances. After the plantation pool completes their free college education, it will be a requirement to have a ba degree to become a cashier or bagger. Today, education is not about learning but simply having the paper hanging on the wall. We need to start looking at the results of our education system before we can fix the lower end. How good are college grads? Not very! Only those who took strict disciplines can perform good enough to be trained by the employer.

The only education I have seen coming out of colleges is indoctrination into the progressive ideology and that results in citizens hating their country enough to look at the constitution as something that can be changed to suit the whims of contemporary times.
Yes it is a sad time but in November we get another chance!

• Link
• Report this comment

USinUK, 10:07,

He’s gone to get some and he’ll bring them to ya.

• Link
• Report this comment

UK,
The vocational schools or trade union appreciate programs have there place, but they should not be confused with a policy strategy for educating our children and young adults for the economic opportunities of the 21st century. And the best opportunities will require a demanding education. For pounding nails, slapping on hot-tar, tin-knocking and their kin, we will continue to hire the low-costs immigrant work force from poor countries. But go ahead a promote bailing-out option if you like.

In the inimitable words of Ross Perot: “we’re talking computer chips, not potato chips.

• Link
• Report this comment

could it be that he made an assertion with absolutely NO basis in reality???

Clear plastic trash bags covering computers are my friend. They shore AmSpecial.

• Link
• Report this comment

USinUK, LMAO thanks for correcting my typo!

• Link
• Report this comment

Brad – 10:11 – oh, so low-cost immigration is a GOOD thing. thanks for clearing that up. I’ll make sure everyone knows you’re first in line to endorse worker programs and amnesty.

the fact is – not everyone is designed for school / higher education. not everyone is HAPPY in school / higher education. why shouldn’t we encourage kids to find education in the things that interest them – whether it’s software design for gaming or electrical design for a home or business?

opening up MORE opportunities for kids is ALWAYS better than channeling kids into fewer …

• Link
• Report this comment

And what is the general difference between public and private schools?

The drug menu.

• Link
• Report this comment

oops my bad he’s BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK

• Link
• Report this comment

USunUK I not in Ga.

• Link
• Report this comment

ken – 10:19 – well, cheating on GA standardized exams is the subject.

• Link
• Report this comment

Throwing money at education? If you can get a list of those who receives the PELL and those who actually attend college after payment, I am sure you will be shocked. Hey, you climategate staticians give us and answer about how much PELL is provided to students who do not attend class.

• Link
• Report this comment

OMG, that should be “an” not and! I will be admonished soon! I just know it.

• Link
• Report this comment

Granny Godzilla

February 12th, 2010
10:20 am
“It ain’t whether it’s public or private, it the student, the parent
and the teacher.”

You left out government!

• Link
• Report this comment

“What are you implying.”

Actually referring to high end designer drugs, but I see where you are coming from.

• Link
• Report this comment

Mick,

And in the case of GA for the past couple years (I think it’s been corrected now), at least in some lower grades, the tests and the curriculum didn’t match up. What the kids were tested on was not what they were taught at their particular grade level.

• Link
• Report this comment

md –

“Actually referring to high end designer drugs”

are there any, anymore??? criminey, going by what you hear in the news, it sounds like ALL drugs are around $10-$20 …

• Link
• Report this comment

Is it not easier to write down on your chart that all is well instead of, you know, like actually putting forth the effort required by the cure?

The results are back from your doctor and he says you are in perfect health and not to worry.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bosch

There is a lot of money being thrown at these companies that do testing – its big business. SAT & ACT have been around for a long time and they are pretty much fair and balanced.

• Link
• Report this comment

If I’m a teacher, I’m going to cheat. The reasoning, state administrators have reduced teachers to testing robots. They (state administrators) only measure progress and disperse funds by analyzing test results. We’ve reduced little Johnny to nothing more than a test score number in this game of politics played out at the federal and state level.

No child left behind…keep em movin’

• Link
• Report this comment

Well Whiner, first off if you think I am a liberal you need remedial reading education. I am far from a liberal. What I am is tired of Republicans in Conservative clothing spouting inane nonesence while they line thier pockets.

The total deficit (in unadjusted dollars) incurred by President since Regan is

Reagan- $1,338 billion or $167.25 per year
Bush 1- $933 billion $233.25 per year
Clinton – $458 billion or $57.25 per year
Bush 2- $2875 billion of $359.375 per year

Even more telling is that over thier terms each president iimproved on the budget of the prior year this many times:

Reagan- twice
Bush 1- Never
Clinton – Eight times
Bush 2- twice

So tell me, how does this party get to wear the mantle of Conservatism. While running our economy and country into the ground?

• Link
• Report this comment

Mick,

I happen to be married to one of the premiere math teachers in the known universe and beyond – I hear all this every day during adult beverage time.

• Link
• Report this comment

USinUK,

Ooops. Sorry, I knew that about your firewalls, but dang it all to pieces – I get so excited about the Olympics! It’s the Olympic theme song – complete with the drums and all. I get goosebumps everytime I hear that song.

Redneck Curling! I like it! It’s supposed to snow here later on, maybe me and the two younger Boschlings can try it this evening – we have a really steep driveway so I think it’ll be fun!

Say, do you think there’s a good market for Curling gigs in the UK?

• Link
• Report this comment

USinUK,

Oh yes, we are quite the couple. The OB is all about logic and math, and I’m the flaky artistic one. They say that opposites attract – I think that’s a math thing too! We keep each other grounded.

• Link
• Report this comment

I went to catholic schools with the nuns through sixth grade then transferred to public and I was years ahead except for science. In public high school I had some of the best teachers ever that encouraged me to reach my goals. Like I said, its all good – testing is now in the political realm exactly where it doesn’t belong.

• Link
• Report this comment

A burger for $1.50? There’s one major source of obesity, right there.

• Link
• Report this comment

Outhouse – did you get your free denny’s slam this past tuesday? I couldn’t make it into the parking lot. Damn those super bowl ads..

• Link
• Report this comment

Disgusting! Ban the cheaters for life. Better to fail than to cheat. We’ve taken the ability to take a test and given it too much importance. Hard work, organization and dedication count at least as much.

• Link
• Report this comment

“wingnuts”

This is supposed to make people think one is to be seriously considered?

• Link
• Report this comment

It’s no secret, that cheating is rampant around the State of Georgia school systems when it comes to State mandated testing. If the State looks closer at other school systems in metro Atlanta, they will find the same issues. Stop, looking just at Dekalb and the City of Atlanta, as if they are the only violators. Ask educators, and they will tell you that state mandated test are often altered after students have turned them in. AJC investigate a little deeper and you will be surprise of the cheating happening in the State’s largest two school systems, they haven’t be caught as of yet or could it be just ignored by the State of Georgia and the AJC.

• Link
• Report this comment

I will be curling like Bosch later on, except instead of the little curling things I will use a 4 year old on a sled! I hope I can get her to stop at the bottom of the hill!

• Link
• Report this comment

Mick

February 12th, 2010
10:53 am

Darn…missed that one.

• Link
• Report this comment

“A burger for $1.50? There’s one major source of obesity, right there.”

Ya!! I usually smoke about 10 cigarettes during the dual whopper feast. Kinda the double whammy. I guess we better get me some govt Hcare so when I keel over I can be saved!!!

PS…Dont forget the cheese!!

• Link
• Report this comment

jdw, you know that words are much more important than actions.

• Link
• Report this comment

USinUK,

Not even ice dancing? What? I mean, that’s some crazy stuff there. And the ski jump? Can you imagine the first time someone does that? Talk about no room for error or else. What makes someone think: “Okay, I’m gonna put on these skis and go sailing off in the air and drop 20 stories and land on my feet and all is well – yes, that will be loads of fun!”

I love the Olympics – all of it – every sport (even figure skating)- most of what I like about it, is that for two weeks, all the Bosches watch it together – it’s a major family event.

• Link
• Report this comment

Hey, Jay! Found another quarter! Nothing against public education, just wish we could have a legitimate choice, that’s all. I went to public schools, and just look how I turned out.

• Link
• Report this comment

Any idea when the new season of Whale Wars begins? Im so anticipating this years antics with Capt Stubbing and the gang. All of them flailing around the deck, being tossed to and fro, crying and blubbering like 4 year olds.

Truly a laugh fest.

• Link
• Report this comment

“4 is such a great age – loads of fun, and they still think you’re cool.”

And smart.

Enjoy it while you can before you enter your stupid stage. There is a bell shaped curve of parental stupidity that coincides with the age of a child.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bosch 11:12 – awwww – that’s great! I love that you and the Boschlings watch the Olympics together – we did that when I was growing up, too …

one thing I miss – (and I’m sure I’m not alone) – I miss having the USSR as a rival. I mean, there will NEVER be another moment like the US hockey team beating the Russians because we just don’t have that kind of rivalry with anyone else …

as far as the ski jump – you know that started as a bet. (and who doesn’t look at that and think of ABC’s Wide World of Sports opener)

• Link
• Report this comment

md – “Enjoy it while you can before you enter your stupid stage” hahahahaha … that’s SO true!! very funny!!

OGK – “Any idea when the new season of Whale Wars begins?” it already started this week

• Link
• Report this comment

USinUK,

“there will NEVER be another moment like the US hockey team beating the Russians because we just don’t have that kind of rivalry with anyone else … ”

That. Is. The. Greatest. Moment. In. Sports. History. Ever. Recorded. Since. The. Beginning. Of. Time.

(Sniff Sniff just thinking about it).

RE: Ski Jump – yeah, I agree. Probably two drunk Germans. And I always had to turn my head on Sunday afternoons when that ABC Wide World of Sports came on. Ugly. I wonder who that guy was?

• Link
• Report this comment

UK…Holy Frijoles…WHAT! I gotta break out the TV guide.

• Link
• Report this comment

md,

Don’t get all perturbed at the use of “wingnut.” We are the “moonbats” and when I use “wingnut” I do so with nothing but admiration and respect.

• Link
• Report this comment

I agree with your taste in music but man you just keep going off the rails with this socialism complex. Public & private schools produced scientists that got us to the moon and back – its all good.

Mick- You don’t really believe all we have in Cobb County (or Decatur!!!!!!) are private schools, do you?

~~~~~

mm- You should sue the public school where you received your “education,” just sayin…

• Link
• Report this comment

TaxPayer, 11:22,

Oops, I did it again…Diet Coke all over screen.

• Link
• Report this comment

You have a point on the Camel Humps Taxpayer. From what I can tell I am scheduled to get stupid in about 8 years but will get really smart again in about 15 or 16.

• Link
• Report this comment

Had a similar scandal in areas of Texas a couple years’ back. And again, a couple years after. Erasures on tests. Incredible gains by students from one year to the next. Couple things happened. In some cases, students had to retake tests. In others, when outside consultants specializing in statistical analyses of tests were brought in and problems were found to be greater than thought, officials wanted to not release the results and dismiss the consultants to ‘work it on our own.’

So those were worked through. Changes in administering tests were made – teachers could not give the tests to their own classes, just one person could not have custody of the tests at any time, that sort of stuff. But the effective change was firing of teachers. Not probation, not suspension, but firing.

• Link
• Report this comment

JDW,

As the parent of three teenagers I can tell you that you become the dumbest thing in the universe when you child reaches 10

• Link
• Report this comment

Bosch- I think there is a nattering limit, just sayin….

You’re boring the server dude.

• Link
• Report this comment

Andy,

Coming from you? Really?

• Link
• Report this comment

no way I am wading through 280 posts to see if this novel question has been asked; does the CRCT exist to monitor the “education” (academic acheivement) of students, or the professional competency of teachers? any teacher caught changing answers on ANY test should be fired and sent to jail (and be forced to repay salary paid). to “fake” (promote students) is not only a disservice to the students, but it is a fraud perpetrated to secure a paycheck.

• Link
• Report this comment

i was in lake placid the night US hockey beat the Russians…it was amazing! the streets were going wild for hours…great time.

• Link
• Report this comment

OGK – “WHAT! I gotta break out the TV guide”

you’re talking about a show? I thought you meant real life. sorry – in real life, one of the anti-whaling ships went mano-a-mano with the whalers this week.

Bosch – I’m with you on the hockey game being the best. moment. EVAH. I was in 8th grade at my friend Lori’s house – her whole neighborhood went crazy. truly a great moment. (and I love unscripted TV when the announcers go nutzo – whether it’s “Braves win! Braves win! Braves win!” or “do you believe in miracles?!” … just shows that, no matter how professional they are, they’re still just folks and get as excited about the game as we do)

• Link
• Report this comment

Taxpayer, it is hell when they have the nums!

• Link
• Report this comment

I report

I don’t know about those counties. I just don’t see how you connect public school with socialism?

• Link
• Report this comment

JDW,

Youngest is a girl – 13 right now – and if you think having a girl will make your life easier during that time- hahahahhahahahahahahahahahahaha! Whew! I can say unequivocally that they are all posessed by the devil. Satan himself.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bosch

I go in a couple weeks for the newbie. I just came back from a first visit with another – grandson via daughter. One of these days there’ll be a girl in the works. But this one’s great, inquisitive, chatterbox and happy.

And I came back to a heavy showfall and woke up to over 12 inches of the stuff. It’s a new record…. and I’m supposed to leave for Houston later today. It dropped to 29 this morning, more ice, supposed to get in mid 30s later today. And get this, in the 50s tomorrow. It’s gonna get wet….

• Link
• Report this comment

Oh, Bosch, I’m sure you can appreciate – the age we were when we had kids, grandkids come along and we’re the same age as some contemporaries just now having kids. I look at them and just laugh!

• Link
• Report this comment

USinUK,

I think I was in the 8th grade too during those games, ‘80 right? Anywho, Skip Carey and the “Braves win” thing makes my Top 5 in the Bosch Book of Best Sporting Events To Ever Happen in Recorded Time Book.

• Link
• Report this comment

Paul,

“the age we were when we had kids”

I was a mere child myself. I have a good friend my age who just had a baby, and yes, I chuckle everytime I think of it. I’m like, “you’re changing diapers? Hell, I drink beer with my baby now!!!”

• Link
• Report this comment

Bosch & Paul – My stepdaughter to be is almost 13 and now knows what boys are, uh oh. And my wife to be has already said she wants another child, uh oh part II.

• Link
• Report this comment

nobody give a rat’s ass about your bratty kids

• Link
• Report this comment

Bosch: BRAVES WIN! BRAVES WIN! Yes, I agree.

The girls will grow through the Satan thing. Just remember not BS them. BS erodes trust. Tell them the REAL (practical) reasons they should and should not do stuff, and skip the judgemental, moralizing crapola. Also, listen to them w/o interrupting. That’s what builds trust. If you listen instead of peaching, then they’ll feel comfortable asking for your advice instead of rejecting it outright because you “don’t know anything.”

• Link
• Report this comment

Well said Matilda

• Link
• Report this comment

The amazing thing about Jay and Maureen is their inability to look to parents to fix this problem. How? By giving them a voucher for their children’s education, allowing/requiring them to make a choice with these dollars and watch the schools dramatically improve when these parents vote with their feet. The government run school monopoly would only last one year before they would have to stop making excuses and focus on the kids instead of the unions and the rest of the special interest feeding at the trough of education, none of which ever worry about the actual customers, the kids and their families.
Stop pushing supposedly new solutions, all of which have been tried, none of which has ever worked.
Government cannot run anything efficiently nor with the claimed results laid out in the initial planning.
I have asked Jay and Maureen many times over many years to name a single government program that actually accomplished the original stated goal and did so at the originally budgeted cost, NO ANSWER – EVER.

• Link
• Report this comment

JAY——-BLAME IS ALL ON LIBERALISM…..in the public schools…..LIBERALS have no moral core—–LIBERALs……from top—to bottom Cheat—–Children are taught by LIBERAL parent s cheating is A OK…

• Link
• Report this comment

David, you Sir are very poorly informed,

Liberalism is from the Latin liberalis, “of freedom” and is the belief in the importance of individual liberty.

Our entire way of life is founded on the principle of Liberalism. There are no greater Liberals in the course of history than Washington, Jefferson, Adams and the rest.

• Link
• Report this comment

JDW,

Make that

I was mistaken.

• Link
• Report this comment

Well thanks Matilda, I do think you have hit on one of our problems re:bigots. Another is the culture of “Me”. The John’s of the world are so damn afraid that by helping someone else they will lose something when if fact they would be helping themselves as well.

• Link
• Report this comment

I hear you Bosch, at least I will always be able to retreat to the sanity of the golf course!

• Link
• Report this comment

Matilda – Bigotry is a belief system based on opinions and personal prejudices that is intolerant of others, especially other racial groups. I just gave you a few facts you don’t like, there’s no prejudice involved. Everything I said applies to white Appalachia as much as it does inner city Atlanta. If I had solutions, I would have shared them a long time ago. It appears to me there aren’t any solutions, the poor and the stupid have been around throughout history and they will continue to be for a long time to come.

• Link
• Report this comment

JDW and Matilda – I thought the topic was cheating in APS because of low CRCT scores. But if you want to talk altruism, I did 20 hours of volunteer work in a homeless shelter so far this week and I’ll be there again tomorrow and Sunday, what have you done to help?

• Link
• Report this comment

John Birch, fair enough. Kudos on the charity work, and nice that you have time. I used to be a literacy volunteer when I had time. I plan to be more active again when the kids are out of the house. You’re completely right, the intellecutally challenged, like the poor, will always be with us. How we respond to the needs of the less fortunate is telling. I just don’t think pointing out the black/white thing on the SAT scores is productive, though. If you’re using that handle to honor the man for whom the John Birch Society is named, making racial generalizations (instead of treating all individuals as individuals) is not helping to distance his memory from the less appealing perceptions people have of the JB Society followers, which is mainly that they’re racist. If that is your actual name, I apologize.

• Link
• Report this comment

John, relative to this comment “You’ve mistaken more knowledgeable with smarter”

No I am working off a principle called the Flynn Effect which is is the increase of the average intelligence quotient test scores over generations.

You can read more here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flynn_effect

• Link
• Report this comment

Gosh. I didn’t know Cobb spent more on its schools than the ATL.

• Link
• Report this comment

Well, other than the band-aid I suggested near the top of the thread to stop the cheating, I really don’t know what else to say.

I received my education in public schools – from kindergarten through grad school – albeit in another state where education is more highly valued. I’ve caught up with several of my former high school classmates on Facebook, and I’m amazed at what we’ve all accomplished, thanks to the excellent public education we all received. Today we are accountants, engineers, physicians, architects, college professors, teachers, graphic designers, geneticists, fighter pilots… the list goes on.

It is astounding to me that so many Georgians, especially conservatives, refuse to acknowledge the value in providing a well-funded public education to all its citizens. They are brainwashed to believe that there’s no return on the investment, that it’s “socialist.” They howl and moan and gnash their teeth at the thought of throwing in a couple cents per year so Johnny-public-school-kid can acquire the basic knowledge and skills needed to live a productive life instead of a life in the gutter. Who’s to say Johnny-public-school-kid won’t grow up to be the heart surgeon who takes a few arteries out of their fat conservative thighs when they need a quadruple bypass performed? Who’s to say Johnny-public-school-kid won’t one day become the researcher who finds a cure for the cancer that ravages so many of their fat conservative colons? Or the accountant who comes in to help clean up after the massive corporate frauds they love to commit (used to be me, lol).

This is why I cannot stand Georgia conservatives. They look at their pathetically funded public school systems and then squeal with glee, pig-like, whenever another story hits the papers about what a mess they’re in. Rather than come together to fix their state’s problems, they point their fingers and say “well, I got mine, so f— you.”

Folks, if this mentality prevails, we’ll be a third world country before the century is over. OK, done with lunch… got to get my socialist publicly-educated self back to work making positive contributions to society…

Have a fantastic afternoon, fellow Georgians.

• Link
• Report this comment

The only ones getting Bookman to respond are the katzenjammers. He rewards dribbish. Besides, there arent’ “So Many”. There are only 3 or 4 people using multiple ID’s and probalby multiple IP addresses to fool Bookman (who is very easily fooled, inexplicably) who account for the majority of the comments 24/7 365. There are people like that on every blog in our great land. It’s unavoidable. They use blogs as their own private chatroom.

They love the word, “moron”, more than they love life itself. They love repetition more than they love liberty itself. And they love hate more than they hate love.

or something.

anyway, forget it. They’re on a roll. Dont you know.

It’s snowing in Griffin Georgia now, it just started. Steady, small flakes. but very numerous.

• Link
• Report this comment

Jay, whatever good Dr. Hall has done, how can she escape culpability for this massive fraud? Where does the buck stop, if not with her? Is it not possible that all she has really built at APS (with the unlucky assistance of No Child Left Behind) is a culture where the ONLY way to succeed is to say yes to cheating?
Whatever her previous accomplishments, she cannot be left in charge now. I refuse to believe we can’t find some bright administrator to come in and clean up this new mess. This scandal gives leadership the chance to make wholesale changes and fire a shot across the bow of any remaining intransigent bureaucrats. How is that not the best possible scenario for APS parents, and an infinitely better scenario than letting Dr. Hall try to reform her own reform?

• Link
• Report this comment

Well that’s great, MD! I’m encouraged. Based on most of the commentary from conservatives here, you’d think the Atlanta Public School system was a leper colony to be shunned, rather than a ship that needs to be righted with cooperation from the greater community.

I’m all FOR public schools– both back home and here. It just seems like Georgia’s leadership and a lot of its voters aren’t.

• Link
• Report this comment

“(T)the growing emphasis on standardized testing as a means of holding teachers and principals accountable is controversial.” I have never understood why testing students to be sure they have learned the curriculum is controversial. Is it because teachers believe they should not be held accountable for failing to impart knowledge to the students in their charge? Is it because school boards don’t want to be held accountable? Is it because politicians view schools as jobs programs and sources of graft and not as institutions of learning? If students cannot answer standardized questions such as “2 + 2 = __” or name their state capitol or spell “Congress” then what should be considered controversial is why their teachers, principals, and superintendents still have jobs.

• Link
• Report this comment

Oh now I see how the game is played with Jay. You challenge Jay with direct facts, and suddenly your comment awaits moderation.

• Link
• Report this comment

Jay, I will offer a reasonable explanation for your motivation, but first let me thank you for responding.

I would say that if your children’s schools were not affected by the deficiencies of APS in general, you would not be self motivated to address them on your children’s behalf. And in fact some schools, largely because of the socioeconomic factors and the commitment of the parents were largely immune to the any systemic dysfunction at APS.

I won’t claim I’m right, but even you must admit it’s not a preposterous assumption, no?

Add that to, for the longest time, the AJC editorial board seemed to treat Hall with kid gloves, even when they commented on scandals, and I have to ask is it not reasonable to assume that something has changed with you, either personally or professionally, where AJC staff feel embolden to criticize Dr. Hall like never before.

Again, I ask, even if it is in error, is it really that preposterous a speculation?

Obviously, I must eat humble pie for not knowing of the blog filter’s idiosyncrasies. It seems I have judged your willingness, or lack thereof to engage the reader prematurely.

• Link
• Report this comment

Jay, I will give you the benefit of the doubt because I would think, based on all your other work, that your instinct WOULD be just the opposite when it came to government corruption. That’s why what has been perceived as a reluctance to address certain APS issues has been SO upsetting to some.

There’s a very specific reason I used the “Baghdad Bob” reference; your most excellent, to borrow from Keanu Reeves, work during the entirety of the Iraq War and Bush’s mishandling of it. Thought that Baghdad Bob reference would resonate with you to be quite honest about it.

But I’m going to tell you that for years there has been a PERCEPTION, at least among many I’ve talked with, that the AJC editorial board, as a big time backer of Hall, tried to “insulate” her, even when there were whispers; for that matter, even when the AJC did stories such as Paul Donsky’s story on another huge cheating scandal in APS several years ago, and even the discipline data scandal after that.

Maybe it’s all water under the bridge, this talk of the AJC building a Bridge Over Troubled Waters for Hall (yes Jay, I’ve read your blog enough to know about your Friday travelin’ music) For whatever reason, the AJC is truly acting like the watchdog the Founding Fathers had in mind, and Maureen Downey’s commentary on the matter is what many wished the AJC had done YEARS ago.

Is it fair to say that the AJC editorial staff did “insulate” Hall in the past, or perhaps fairer to say that they gave her a benefit of the doubt that, in light of recent evidence, they are no longer willing to give her?

Again, I do thank you for responding. Not QUITE ready to renew my subscription yet; but I am more willing to throw 4 quarters in the newspaper box.

• Link
• Report this comment

When you tie the career advancement of teachers and administrators to students that can’t be taught I would say the result is predictable. Note: IQ test were first given in WWI. The difference between whites and blacks then was 15-20 points. It’s still 15-20 points. No amount integration, bussing or Head Start has budged those numbers. I wonder what you might conclude from that? So we go thru this exercise every few of sacrificing a few administartors because “obvisously they’re not doing their jobs”. Hmmm

• Link
• Report this comment

No matter what some people think, IQ’s are not the same. Not all kids have the same abilities, and for the most part, they inherit their abilities from their parents. So just as you inherit your hair color, eye color, and other traits, so too you inherit your ability to learn. Furthermore, to quote an old saying that applies here, NEVER TRY TO TEACH A PIG TO SING, IT WASTES YOUR TIME, AND ANNOYS THE PIG…..draw your own conclusions…the facts are speaking here..are you listening?

• Link
• Report this comment

Some of you are hysterical. You truly believe if you removed the ITP schools from GA’s average, GA would rank above the national average? Holy delusional retardicans, Batman!

GA’s “flagship” public school, Walton, often fails to meet the state average SAT score in most states outside the South.

I attended what I consider to be a mediocre catholic high school. My sisters both attended “the best” public high school in our area. The contrast was stark and amazing.

Georgia has a double-whammy: Christian groups in the suburbs and exurbs are substantially more-concerned that evolution being taught than they are with the quality of the actual education their kids are receiving. And ITP schools are the personal ATM machine of elements of the Jackson machine – and have been for going on 4 decades.

I’m not sure there’s a way out for GA until larger social issues are reconciled.

• Link
• Report this comment

The Georgia educational system is a national disgrace.

• Link
• Report this comment

I am appalled at the sarcasm and joking that is being done. This is serious. Teacher’s jobs are at hand. Livelyhoods interrupted that will destroy families. We need to get to the bottom of this. Being the President of AAE, I am concerned that teachers will be the scapegoats when they may not be the culprits. I would like to see the evidence. Then I would like to know WHY (if the teachers did cheat), and finally I want to question the board as to why they did not do their elected job to oversee the superintendent. What is the connection between the superintendent, the board, and the chamber of commerce? We really need to stop taking this as a joke, but demand real answers, not WHO is the real problem, but WHAT is the real problem. These are our schools.

• Link
• Report this comment

I have not read all of the comments. maybe Jay can let me know, but didn’t Hall get hugh bonuses based upon these test results that are now subject to this review and what happens to all that money she got if it was based upon these test results that are questionable. Does anybody think that Hall may have a finacial interest in her responses to the questions raised by this review of the tests?

• Link
• Report this comment

Jay-Another example of “cheating” that is absolutely legal and can be seen nationwide: our grading system. Take two good students. The first goes through school (any school) and always scores an 89 on tests and receives a “B”. The second student always scores a 90 or an “A”. The first student has a 3.00 grade point. The second has a 4.00 or 25% difference even though the test scores differed by 1%. Hypothetical, but I think you get the point. Third world engineers know that one can never be more accurate than the least accurate measurement.

• Link
• Report this comment

[...] Free Press • Many First-Year College Students Need Remedial Help, says New CCHE Study – KUNC • Cheating Scandal A Serious Crisis For Atlanta Schools – AJC • Reforming No Child Left Behind by Allowing States to Opt Out – The Heritage [...]

• Link
• Report this comment

Amazed no one is screaming about the incredible flow of cash into APS for very, very minimal return. Just compare per capita spend per student in the school districts. Who spends the most? APS by about $15,000/student. Cobb spends a little over half of that… Its very interesting when you asses Decatur, Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, etc and look at tax revenue going in versus the student load in the school. Atlanta and Fulton are spending incredible ammounts per student in comparison to Cobb and Gwinnett–DeKalb is in between. No wonder Fulton and Atlanta taxpayers face the highest rates in the state–but what do they get for it? Bloated, self-congratulatory bureaucracy that fails to understand where the tax money comes from and gives minimal performance. APS has improved, but at what cost? Its a classic example of throwing money at a problem.

• Link
• Report this comment

Its Hilarious how NOONE will say the truth here, they are scared stiff…They have been cheating for years and years and only now got caught…There is your improvement, year over year…PUBLIC SCHOOLS are dead here in georgia, parents want a better alternative like home schooling, private schools, or moving to another state….

• Link
• Report this comment