Teachers in Georgia cheating to meet their criteria!
By JenInTN
@JenInTN (27514)
United States
July 9, 2011 5:29am CST
I was appalled the other night when I saw breaking news that 179 teachers were involved in a huge cheating scandal in Atlanta Georgia. 179! They were changing test scores and giving children ansewrs so they could meet the criteria given to them to receive grant money. The news report said that the teachers even held parties to get together and do test score changing...test score changing night? What were they thinking?
Well...they are blaming it on the "no child left behind" bill and the fact that their jobs are at stake if test scores are not at a certain level. The test scores determine how much money their school system gets and determines their rate of pay and if they even have a job or not. There has been increasing pressure on teachers in America, but hasn't there needed to be? Well...sounds like to me they sure didn't have a lot of faith in their teaching skills or their childern. It disappoints me to here this final blow as I have been losing faith in teachers for some time now.
All the teachers involved have been fired or suspended as of now, but this thing goes alot deeper than just a few teachers at a school.
I've included an article so you can see the details.
What does this say about our school system? How many other places might be doing this and do you think the pressure on the teachers justify what they did? Aren't the children the ones who ultimately pay for it?
www.ajc.com/news/investigation-into-aps-cheating-1001375.html
7 people like this
16 responses
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
10 Jul 11
yup the kids will pay for it and I always thought no child left behind was stupid as if they arent doing thier work and passing thier tests why should they pass.
My kids didnt get to but I was the one to hold them back a year was in like 1st grade they needed to study more so they could pass and I do think kids need this lesson to be aware that they really do need to pass thier tests!
Just lilke the teacher my grand daughter had this past year We dont think she did her job the way you would think altho grand daughter did home work and got good grades thru the year it was more out effet helping her and doing the teaching more than the teacher did.
SHe wasnt there half the year so the kids had to go to 3 differnt class roms on those days the differnt teachers teaching thier way and was good for the kids to see that other teachers were really teaching thier class something.
Now this teacher is going to Utah to teach hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm I do think they wont keep her the 5 years if she dont teach the way she didnt here.
1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
11 Jul 11
It amazes me that people take postitions in jobs that matter so much and then just don't care. I hate that. I am glad your granddaughter did good despite the teacher not doing her thing. There are a lot of children that son't have strong support systems at home and those are the ones that have the roughest time when teachers aren't caring about their job.
Thanks for responding!
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
10 Jul 11
Hi Cutie18f! I know what you mean. If they caught a child cheating...it would be a whole different story though...the rules only apply when they want them too. I know that sounds harsh but it's true. If I got caught cheating in the college I go to..they would kick me out. They tell us in the first class of every course.
Thanks for responding!
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
10 Jul 11
I am not surprised. I thought as much would go on the moment Bush put no child left behind into motion. Maybe I am jaded but I thought the teachers would only teach to the test. They Have to get paid so they would have to make sure the students would pass the test. That is why music , art and gym was being taking out of school. Why should I child do anything but study for the test? Don't teach a child How to learn , Just how to take and pass the test! This is why most highschool students know less than their older siblings did when they were in 8th grade.It was a bad idea to link being paid with a test score. And I don't blame the teachers. If a teacher wants to Really teach , he/she shouldn't try for a public school position. If they have a new idea or a new way of teaching , they should become a tutor or try for private school! The blame is on both this rule and the principals who say lets make Sure we can get paid, let's docker the results.
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
10 Jul 11
You are welcome! I saw how the system can ruin the hopes and dreams of being a teacher. My sister studied to be a teacher , got the job but was forced out because of the politics of the school system. And this was before the teaching to the test started. With the way schools are failing kids, parents with the money will be looking for help for their children. Tutors will be needed!
@celticeagle (166912)
• Boise, Idaho
9 Jul 11
That is sad to hear. Teachers are supposed to be like role models to kids. I know this grant money is very important but to go to these lengths does say alot for the entire system now. It is sad to think that the entire country and every department in it has become liars and cheaters! Even the ones that are established to safe guard our children and their educations.
@celticeagle (166912)
• Boise, Idaho
9 Jul 11
It sounds like quite a mess they have made for themselves. Better they found out now than later down the road I guess.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
9 Jul 11
I agree. I wonder what will actually happen to the kids that had fixed scores as they advance. How devestating it would be to waste money on college and make low grades all the while thinking they were ready.
I don't think that Georgia is the only places to do this sorta thing...I think there are others but hopefully they will buckle down and start doing the right thing..just teach the kids.
Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (6776)
• United Kingdom
10 Jul 11
It's all about reaching targets set out by the government. We have the same issues here in the UK. There are league tables and the schools want to be top, or near the top. So in order to appear to be a top school they will manipulate the figures to suit. Shocking really, but it seems to be rife!
When I was at school, it seemed to me the only targets were mine and my friends backsides. Giving us the cane on a regular basis was the order of the day! Sadistic buggers they were. Luckily it didn't ruin my life. Or did it? For some strange reason I still get urges to shove things down my trousers just in case a get a passing wallop. :$
1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
10 Jul 11
Heyya Orson_Kart! You must have been very spirited..unfortunately the school system doesn't care for spirited children here either. That reminds me of a random thought once when I went to one of my kid's schools....they want them all to act like little robots. I know there must be order..but they wouldn't even allow them to talk during lunch.
If I ever see you and you are wearing puffy pants, I'll know why.
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
11 Jul 11
I heard about it too and I was disgusted! Some example they are providing by teaching the students to lie and cheat huh? The children are going to suffer in the long run because they will need what is on those tests. This is why I have decieded to Homeschool my children. 
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
12 Jul 11
It is so sad to think anymore for Schools to get help from the government etc. the teachers have to have so high of standards that they end up having to cheat, and often more than not it affects the kids more as well. I know here in WA state it seems like sometimes the better teachers trying to actually teach and help the kids are the ones let go first where the teachers who really do not care are the ones left. I see a lot more kids not being able to function and a lot more parents wishing they could Home School their kids as well.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
14 Jul 11
I know I have wished a million times I could do the homeschooling thing. It wasn't in my cards though. It is a true shame that so many people are affected by this. I could see how a teacher that really cares could get overwelmed and feeling hopeless. I think it could feel like a losing battle sometimes.
Then there are the children that are seeing this example and not knowing if they are capable or not...and then the parents losing faith.
It's a terrible situation.
Thanks for the input.
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
9 Jul 11
It is sad that the government has put so much pressure on teachers that they feel that they must cheat on the test scores so that they can keep their jobs. It is possible that the test scores affect the amount of grant money that the school gets and the school system may be pressuring them too.
Let's go back to the way school used to be and forget ISTEP tests and all this crude and get back to teaching the basics that kids need to know.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
9 Jul 11
I agree that the extra pressure can't be good. I know that it is a variety of things that can make or break a good education not just one. I think there did need to be some changes, but I also think teachers can't be held totally responsible.
Thanks for responding.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
17 Jul 11
Hi Jen, This is really sad. I knew this was going to happen because the teachers are put under such pressure when they shouldn't be because it's not always their fault but how to figure out who's fault it is, I don't have any idea how they can do that other than to test each child to see where they're at in their learning. But putting too many kids in one classroom and one teacher, the teacher can't devote a lot of one on one time. I believe the funding should be in equal amounts to every school. In other words, equal amount for each child and not for how much they've done good or bad but a certain amount for each child in order to be right on target. Maybe I'm wrong in that idea too but I can't see it going any other way and be right too. What a mess this is and yes, it is the children who pay for it in the end.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
19 Jul 11
I think your on to something there. I do believe there are a lot of factors to consider where the problem itself is concerned. Overcrowding is one really big one. How can one teacher be responsible for teaching so many in one class? How can a child that learns in a different manner get the attention they need? I think that an allotment per child is an excellent idea. There might even be a student/teacher ratio implemented much like a daycare center has one. I know it would be a challenge to implement, but it would be worth it to know children had a fighting chance at an education and teacher were within their capabilities to offer them that.
Thanks for the input! Great idea!
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
9 Jul 11
Good morning Jen, i will just put it this way. Teachers have sure changed since i was in school & i don't think the change has been for the best. Hope u have a great weekend.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
9 Jul 11
I do know what u mean. my youngest had a couple of teachers i would have liked to pop in the mouth.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
9 Jul 11
Hi Jo! Yes..they have changed alot. I remember in school that cheating was one of the most punished behaviors there was. I could pop a little boy in the mouth and get less punishment than for cheating...not that anyone should pop someone in the mouth or cheat..but you know what I mean.
1 person likes this
@gdesjardin (1918)
• United States
9 Jul 11
It has been all over the news here as well. We used to live in Georgia, and we have been hoping to move back there soon because the schools used to be better. Now I wonder. I do understand that there is a lot of pressure lately put on school teachers. I have both a brother-in-law and a sister-in-law that are both teachers and some of the things they have to do is crazy lately, but still to have teachers cheat and change test scores is not the answer. And yes, it is the kids that utimately pay the price for this. I agree that something needs to be done with education and kids should not be left behind, however, there to be a far better way to implement it.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
9 Jul 11
I can't imagine how tough it is for teachers right now..especially the ones that are used to doing things a certain way and now they have had to change. I have thought of being a teacher..but if the kids and the parents aren't in...I'm not sure I could be successful.
I would think there would be more incentive than threatening to take everything away.
Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@gdesjardin (1918)
• United States
13 Jul 11
My brother-in-law is a teacher up in Chicago. He works in an intercity school and not in a great area. They are trying to get the teachers to go to the students house at least once a month or so. So now his day won't end at 3:00, it will be much later than that, not to mention, going into some areas that are less than desirable for him. I think that is crazy. They have parent teacher conferences and the parents can come to the school. My BIL will have to spend a ton of time away from his family, not to mention a bunch of extra money on gas driving from family to family. It is crazy!
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
14 Jul 11
This is just an example of how a good intention:
no child left behind
is taken out of context to benefit the few. On how people cut corners to meet their own personal expectations.
It is sad. For both those teachers, and the children that they teach.
@rameshchow (4426)
• India
9 Jul 11
I fully agree with you.
The teacher profession is great valuable position in the society.
He has to make a raw material(student) into a good state in between the four walls.
But this news sounds like oppositely. They have to be punished.
I have read the news. Its really bad. May be they did for money...
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
9 Jul 11
It is about the money. They get grants in certain amounts for certain test scores. There are also new evaluation systems in place that can actually cause a teacher to lose their job if they haven't met performance requirements.
Thanks for the response!
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
9 Jul 11
Hi Jen 
Sad on how they resorted in doing this. They should have exerted more effort on teaching the children as opposed to cheating this way. In the long run of course this ultimately affects the kids because what will happen when they move on to other higher grades and fail everything? It cheats the kids and the future teachers too. Being suspended and or terminated, in my opinion is wise. They should have come up with other ways to have made a middle ground argument as to why they should have been paid better, I think.
I don't feel the pressures on the teachers justifies it, at all because teachers are not suppose to teach cheating. Schooling is a stepping stone towards careers in the future. Teaching them that cheating will result in more being fired in the future and perhaps jail time for some. Yikes, not a cool thing they did here.
Sad on how they resorted in doing this. They should have exerted more effort on teaching the children as opposed to cheating this way. In the long run of course this ultimately affects the kids because what will happen when they move on to other higher grades and fail everything? It cheats the kids and the future teachers too. Being suspended and or terminated, in my opinion is wise. They should have come up with other ways to have made a middle ground argument as to why they should have been paid better, I think.
I don't feel the pressures on the teachers justifies it, at all because teachers are not suppose to teach cheating. Schooling is a stepping stone towards careers in the future. Teaching them that cheating will result in more being fired in the future and perhaps jail time for some. Yikes, not a cool thing they did here.@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
9 Jul 11
I know! They had a couple of kids on TV that had graduated from one or two of schools in this school system and they were afraid. They were supposed to go on to college and they didn't know if their test scores had been legit or not....and what it would mean for them if they had been fixed.
I think it's terrible all the way around too.
Thanks for responding.
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
9 Jul 11
This is a totally different world than the one in which I grew up. Shame!
@bouncybug (614)
• South Africa
9 Jul 11
This is a terribly situation, so sad to hear about. I think that part of the blame must fall on the teachers - yes, they are put under pressure from the government or from the curriculum, but surely the purpose of that pressure is for the teachers to improve the level of their teaching! A good teacher can improve student's marks for sure. Obviously these teachers do not have any confidence in their own abilities if they feel that they have to cheat in order to get ahead. I hope that this situation gets dealt with appropriately (ie. the teachers do need to get fired!) and that it serves as a lesson to other teachers across the country, that it would be foolish to do the same thing. Hopefully the standard of education can improve as a result.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
9 Jul 11
I think this is a definite wake up call to many. I think that the no child left behind was a good thing for children that were not getting the proper guidance but it did make the rules tougher for teachers. They aren't able to pick and choose..they were required to teach them all. If there are other school systems involved..I bet they are squirming right now...I think there are criminal charges pending on this one.
Thanks for responding.
