Atlanta teachers convicted in grade-inflation scandal

[old_tony]

Wow. This is one terrible reflection on public education.

Atlanta Public Schools teachers convicted in test-cheating scandal - CBS News

 

[LongTimeListener]

Indeed. The idea that their employment would be decided by these useless tests that are destroying the educational system is a national embarrassment.

I am glad that you, I and the person who implemented the testing during the Bush Administration agree.

 

[Ace]

Stick that worm in the water and see what nibbles, T.

 

[Starman]

I certainly hope no academic irregularities develop at charter schools. That would be awful.

 

[outofplace]

Truly comical that people continue to try to make this a partisan issue. Politicians in both parties are responsible for the "reforms" in education, which in most cases amount to an attack on teachers and administrators.

 

[old_tony]

Yes. It's terrible that people would try to make this partisan, going so far as to defend what happened in Atlanta.

 

[outofplace]

Yes. It's terrible that people would try to make this partisan, going so far as to defend what happened in Atlanta.

There is no defense for it, but if you don't think the insane focus on testing and "reforms" in education played a major role in this issue, you are fooling yourself.

 

[DanOregon]

Imagine what would happen if there was an audit of crime stats.

 

[old_tony]

There is no defense for it, but if you don't think the insane focus on testing and "reforms" in education played a major role in this issue, you are fooling yourself.

Other than tests, how do we find out if kids have actually learned anything?

 

[User 11148]

Indeed. The idea that their employment would be decided by these useless tests that are destroying the educational system is a national embarrassment.

I am glad that you, I and the person who implemented the testing during the Bush Administration agree.

Not that it's going to matter to many 'round here, but it's pretty clear this whole thing is a textbook case of a/the bureaucracy looking out for itself at the expense of those it ostensibly serves. Per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's reporting, the superintendent (who died recently) pushed for standards (re: test scores) in excess of NCLB and then pushed to keep them rising because she was being rewarded.

As yearly scores improved, she garnered state and national accolades ...

Eleven former teachers and administrators guilty in cheating... | www.ajc.com

 

[Mr. Sunshine]

I have two wishes: We cure cancer ASAP and that o_t starts the thread when we do so the LTLs and Starmen of the board can get all pissy about it.

 

[LongTimeListener]

You shouldn't stay this ill-informed about the testing-industrial complex as your kid starts school. Learn about it.

 

[old_tony]

I have two wishes: We cure cancer ASAP and that o_t starts the thread when we do so the LTLs and Starmen of the board can get all pissy about it.

Don't forget Riptide, Ace and OOPsie.

 

[Mr. Sunshine]

You shouldn't stay this ill-informed about the testing-industrial complex as your kid starts school. Learn about it.

I'm well aware of our ****ty public education system, and I'm also aware that it's OK to agree with something that is obviously wrong even when that wrong thing is brought to my attention by someone I don't agree with politically.

LTL: Fine, it's good that we cured cancer. But that doesn't excuse the original poster's voting record!

 

[LongTimeListener]

I see we're now at the point of a thread where Sunshine puts his butt-hurt out there in a passive-aggressive way for the next five pages. Typical to cover the lack of actual knowledge on real topics.

Lates.

 

[Mr. Sunshine]

I see we're now at the point of a thread where Sunshine puts his butt-hurt out there in a passive-aggressive way for the next five pages. Typical to cover the lack of actual knowledge on real topics.

Lates.

 

[outofplace]

Other than tests, how do we find out if kids have actually learned anything?

I never said standardized tests should not be part of the equation, but they are becoming too large a part, but they are a relatively poor measure of teacher performance. The current view and approach is too simplistic.

As an example, you have two teachers with students at the same grade level at the same middle school. Both have the same number of students, but one has two classes that with groups of special education students. Approximately 30 of her 120 students are special ed, while the other teacher has none. The direction things are going in now, a larger and larger portion their evaluations would be based on raw state test scores. Is that a fair evaluation?

Among other issues, a larger emphasis needs to be placed on tests that measure progress rather than overall scores.

Also, Tony, I noted the little personal digs at myself and other posters. Please not that I am discussing the actual topic. Once again, I respectfully ask that you extend the same courtesy.

 

[old_tony]

So how does a test measure progress without a score?

 

[Vombatus]

Honest question, not being racist: why were all eleven who were convicted African-American?

 

[outofplace]

So how does a test measure progress without a score?

Tony, please read more closely. For the second time, I'm not saying you take standardized tests out of the equation. I'm saying they are being given too prominent a role. You also need tests that measure progress of each individual student, which are a much better measure of a teacher. Of course, those are more difficult and costly. Observation by administrators plays a role. Perhaps even a system where administrators from other buildings in the district or other districts step in if you are worried about impartiality.

This gets back to the same point I've tried to make with YF. The current movement is driving good people out of teaching. You've got veteran teachers who love the profession saying they no longer advise their students, family or friends to pursue education as a career.

You've got this toxic mix of people afraid that our students aren't getting a good education wanting a quick fix and politicians who realize that teachers and administrators are easy targets. The result is a push for changes that make it easier for teachers to be fired, even good ones, while putting artificial obstacles in their way as they try to do their jobs. Does that sound like a profession you'd want to jump into?