Any thoughts on Atlanta Public School Test Cheating charges?

[smark21]

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/30/us...g-scandal.html

[nabob]

The whole situation sucks. This seems to be a sorry side of our times when the quest for the dollar exceeds the importance of the services to be provided. The teachers were wrong for their actions in changing test scores of the students. The students weren't being serviced in being promoted without gaining the skills to function in a modern world. What kind of message is being sent to impressionable kids when the success of achievement being granted is actually worthless? The public schools in Georgia, not only Atlanta, are some of the worst in the country. They seem like day care centers that aren't teaching the kids anything of value. Blame shouldn't rest solely on the schools, but also with the parents who aren't participating the educational process or passing any solid values on to their kids. Involved parents would know when their children are being short changed. My heart goes out to teachers who were forced by moral obligation to leave a profession they enjoyed. Thanks for not being part of this travesty. Sorry for the rant. This is a sensitive issue with me.

[smark21]

It’s inevitable that when you create a culture where standardized test scores are the main criteria for whether a school remains open or a teacher or a principal can keep their job, you’re going to have cheating.

Just read in the NY Times that in Memphis that they’ve handed management of the system’s poorest schools to private charter companies and progress will be measured by standardized testing. I have a feeling this won’t end well.

[Jerry Oz]

Unintended consequences will always result when cookie cutter solutions are applied to complex problems. Those who want to use standardized tests are of the belief that underperforming kids are the result of underachieving and disinterested teachers. The upshot of all of this will be good teachers refusing to teach at poorly testing schools. The right wing has an agenda against public education and using standardized tests is simply one tool to end it.

That doesn't excuse the cheating by the Atlanta teachers, though. They should all be ashamed.