Harsh Sentences for Ex-Teachers in Atlanta Cheating Scandal

[Baz]

Wow....what an irresponsible crime these educators are guilty of!

In a tense courtroom, harsh sentences of up to 20 years were imposed on eight Atlanta public school educators convicted of racketeering.

CLICKY

The judge was NOT happy and threw the book at those who did not accept the plea deal (which 2 of them did).

Kudos to Judge Baxter!

[Baz]

Here are the guilty parties.........

[URY914]

Where is Rev. Al?

[stealthn]

So how did they personally benefit?

[Baz]

Originally Posted by stealthn

So how did they personally benefit?

Bonuses for reaching certain criteria involving grades and test scores.

Pretty disgusting behaviour.

[sc_rufctr]

I admire that judge. He held them accountable for their actions but that doesn't mean they'll take ownership of them.
The worst part is that the kids were put at a disadvantage because of their greed.

People can justify anything if they tell themselves enough lies.

The sentencing may seem harsh but what option did the judge have if they won't even acknowledge that they did wrong?

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by stealthn

So how did they personally benefit?

They received a paycheck and raises. They were not just incompetent they were criminals. They cheated children of an education.

[Baz]

The judge was pissed because they screwed things up for a whole bunch of kids.....who were innocent victims of those who were supposed to be looking out for them - and he was pissed at them for refusing to take personal responsibility for their actions.

They got what they deserved.

[Gogar]

It's obviously some kind of racist plot. Stay tuned for the reverend so and so.

[MBAtarga]

Rev Al or Jesse won't show up here. There's nothing to see. If the teachers were all white - now then there would be picketing and riots!

[Rick Lee]

Anyone wonder how so many adults can be so stupid as to think so many adults can be in on the same scam without word getting out? People that stupid shouldn't be teachers, their ethics notwithstanding.

[fred cook]

At least now, the education system here in Georgia can "move on" and work to restore its credibility! I just wish the prosecutor had looked further and also nailed the ones that caused the system to be put in place! My wife was a teacher in both elementary education and a professor at the college level. She complained for years that the teaching staff was being forced to "teach the test" rather than what the kids really needed to know!

[Evans, Marv]

Teachers are being forced to teach to the tests everywhere. The thing is they all thought nothing would ever happen to them if they were caught. After their guilt was established, they still didn't think any punishment would come their way. That was evident in that only two accepted the plea deal and the rest refused to admit any responsibility. I'm really glad the judge threw the book at them. Four of five members of a local school board here in the area were convicted of accepting bribes from a contractor that received millions in contracts from the District. However, if I remember correctly, non of them did any jail time. Those involved in the testing scam expected the same.

[legion]

Word around here is that as many as 5,000 kids' educations were messed up as a result. They literally changed test answers after the fact or fed kids correct answers so that they could get bonuses. It was a coordinated effort that went all the to the top of the district. These same people accepted awards and public praise while they were actively cheating taxpayers and children.

[dennis in se pa]

If they had been on Wall Street they would have gotten their bonuses. Same behavior, different reward.

[Jim Richards]

Teaching to the tests is a crappy way to educate, but the audacity to doctor the scores in a system-wide scheme to make them look like they're doing a great job warrants the punishment that Judge Baxter slapped them with. Now they can hone their math skills, counting the time they're sitting behind bars, the money they've been fined, and the hours of community service that they have to serve.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by dennis in se pa

If they had been on Wall Street they would have gotten their bonuses. Same behavior, different reward.

Well, yeah...Golden Rule. He who has the money makes (or is allowed to break) the rules.

[legion]

Originally Posted by dennis in se pa

If they had been on Wall Street they would have gotten their bonuses. Same behavior, different reward.

No. Completely different circumstances. People on Wall Street are compensated for making money for their firm. Just because you don't like how they did it, doesn't mean they shouldn't get a bonus. If their conduct was criminal, that is a separate issue.

Here, people were lying, changing test scores, and cheating students to get bonuses. Much different than making a trade you don't happen to like.

[ckelly78z]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

Rev Al or Jesse won't show up here. There's nothing to see. If the teachers were all white - now then there would be picketing and riots!

Isn't it a shame that even before I saw this ^^^^ response, I was already thinking it. It's kind of a double standard there, isn't it.

[nota]

wall street guys lied and change credit ratings
sold the product as A rated when it was not

same deal except the teachers caused far less damage
and wall street created a world wide crash and near depression