AJC: Cheating rampant in Atlanta public schools

Standardized testing to measure "learning" is an attempt to keep score on something that has no "win-loss" factor. But most state legislatures demand some sort of bottom-line accounting to justify the (not enough) money being spent on education.

In the mid 1980s when the kid from Creighton who played bkb admitted he couldn't read but was in college, what was the reaction? Prop 48 and other academic guidelines that created a firestorm.

Every Johnny/Sally Can't Read story that gets printed/reported elicits knee jerk reactions. State legislators no ZERO about education but pass laws demanding students pass competency exams to prove they've been "educated." Educators are put under tremendous pressure to "teach to the test" just so the numbers look good.

Not saying that the folks in the Atlanta public schools did the right thing. It's appalling ... but, considering the plight of education, it's not surprising.

 

LaMichael James had to finish high school in Arkansas because he couldn't pass the mandatory Texas exam. Three years later he was an Academic All-Pac-10 selection.

Triumph of the human spirit and a beautiful illustration of the unique and creative ways the University of Oregon molds its young men.