Indicted educators surrendered to the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta for their involvement in the history making cheating scandal. The 35 indictments were handed down by the grand jury on Friday, March 29, 2013. This was a very fervent day for all educators and adults that work with our next generation. Questions continue to surfaced about role of the Atlanta School Board. It appears that for years the board has been in the dark regarding any cheating or allegations of cheating. Since 2002 the cheating has been a buzz in the district and in the Atlanta community. The board involvement or lack of involvement is never mentioned in the investigations. The board members were bamboozled and were willing and supportive as they signed the checks for Beverly Hall and other educators.
During board meetings and closed session meetings the topic of cheating was never discussed or addressed by board members or former boss Beverly Hall. The increase of scores at 44 of the 56 schools was never discussed or questioned by board members. What the schools were doing to improve test schools? Did the schools bring in a new program for reading and math or improve staff development on ways to improve test scores? What contributed to increased scores at the schools?
Board members are spokespersons for the community and they are elected by the citizens and taxpayers. The board has a very decisive role in public education policy and school system administration. School boards have the delegated power and authority to develop policies, rules and regulations to control the operation of the schools.
This includes system organization, school site location, school finance, equipment purchasing, staffing , attendance, curriculum, extracurricular activities, and other functions essential to the day to day operation of schools within the district’s boundaries.
The school board is also the boss of the superintendent. They are responsible for hiring the top boss. The board agrees on the contract issued to the superintendent. The board should have their hands on the pulse of every decision that the superintendent makes about schools, leadership and management of the district. The superintendent reports to the board. The school board reports to parents, taxpayers, stakeholders and the community. The superintendent should be vigilant in informing the board members of any concerns or smoking guns that need addressing.
In 2009 the Atlanta Public Schools hosted the NABSE (National Alliance of Black School Educators). Educators attended for all over the nation. They applauded the Atlanta Public Schools system and the superintendent for improving test scores in an urban district.
Educators from Austin, Texas who attended the NABSE in 2009, Atlanta returned to Austin Independent School District with a yes we can attitude. They declared that APS was making it happen for all children. They were singing the work of the district.
Parents, and teachers in Atlanta Public Schools knew that cheating was happening in their schools during the CRCT testing. How much did the school board members know or fail to know? Where was the accountability of ex boss Beverly Hall to communicate to them? After the investigation revealed cheating in the district at many of the schools. How did the board react?
What discussions did the board members have with Beverly Hall to hold her accountable and responsible for the increases that took place in the district? What reports did the board receive regarding the internal district investigation and the outside investigation ordered by Governor Nathan Deal? After the arraignments and the jury trials, maybe some of these questions and more will be answered. The Children first.
‘If you improve education by teaching for competence, eliminating schooling, and connecting with students, the scores will improve.’ - William Glasser
Source:
http://www.ajc.com/
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