Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal explained

Several teachers and principals in the Atlanta Public Schools (APS) district cheated on state-administered standardized tests in 2009. The scandal was exposed and the subsequent trial in 2014–2015 saw national attention.

Background

In 2009, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published analyses of Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) results which showed statistically unlikely test scores, including extraordinary gains or losses in a single year.[1] An investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) released in July 2011 indicated that 44 out of 56 schools cheated on the 2009 CRCT.[2] One hundred and seventy-eight educators were implicated in correcting answers entered by students.[3] Of these, 35 educators were indicted and all but 12 took plea deals; the remaining 12 went to trial. The size of the scandal has been described as one of the largest in United States education history.[3] [4] [5]

The scandal thrust the debate over using high-stakes testing to hold educators accountable, mandated by the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act, into the national spotlight.[6] Teachers who confessed to cheating blamed "inordinate pressure" to meet targets set by the district and said they faced severe consequences such as a negative evaluation or termination if they didn't.[6]

Prior to the scandal, the APS had been lauded for making significant gains in standardized test scores. Between 2002 and 2009, eighth-graders' scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress reading test jumped 14 points, the highest of any urban area.[5] Superintendent Beverly Hall, who served from 1999 to 2010, was named Superintendent of the Year in 2009.[7] The GBI's report said Hall "knew or should have known" about the scandal.[2] Hall's lawyer has denied she had any knowledge of cheating practices.[5] In 2013, she was indicted in relation to her role in the matter.[8] On September 6, 2013, Tamara Cotman, an executive director, represented by Benjamin Davis, was found not guilty of influencing a witness.[9]

Trial

The trial began on September 29, 2014, presided over by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Jerry Baxter. It was the longest criminal trial in Georgia history, lasting eight months.[10] The lead prosecutor was Fani Willis.[11] Before the end of the trial, the superintendent at the center of the scandal, Beverly Hall, died of breast cancer, aged 68.[12]

On April 1, 2015, eleven of the twelve defendants were convicted on racketeering charges under the Georgia RICO Act.[13] Dessa Curb was the only teacher found not guilty on all charges.[14]

Sentences

Nine of the 11 educators convicted of racketeering appealed. Two of those nine, Tamara Cotman Johnson and Angela Williamson, went directly to the appeals court, lost, and reported for prison in October 2018.[18]

Art & adaptation

Wrong Answer

Ryan Coogler will work with Michael B. Jordan for a fourth time in the upcoming film Wrong Answer, based on the Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal.[19] [20]

Ranked

The Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal was an inspiration for Ranked, a musical about academic pressure in school. Kyle Holmes (book) and David Taylor Gomes (music & lyrics) cite the scandal as one of their main inspirations for a storyline that featured adults cheating on behalf of students.[21] The show opened at Granite Bay High School three weeks after Operation Varsity Blues charges were made public. The timing of the musical's debut in relation to the scandal was serendipitous, and earned the high school national attention.[22]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Are drastic swings in CRCT scores valid?. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. October 19, 2009. Heather. Vogell. John. Perry. October 13, 2011.
  2. News: APS (Atlanta public schools) embroiled in cheating scandal. The Washington Post. July 11, 2011. Elizabeth. Flock. October 13, 2011.
  3. News: America's biggest teacher and principal cheating scandal unfolds in Atlanta. The Christian Science Monitor. July 5, 2011. Patrik. Johnson. October 13, 2011.
  4. Web site: Atlanta Public Schools Shaken By Cheating Report. The Huffington Post. July 5, 2011. Joy. Resmovits. October 13, 2011.
  5. News: Educators Implicated in Atlanta Cheating Scandal. U.S. News. July 7, 2011. Jason. Koebler. October 13, 2011.
  6. News: Cheating scandal adds fuel to debate over high-stakes tests. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. July 10, 2011. Jaime. Sarrio. October 13, 2011.
  7. News: Atlanta superintendent Beverly Hall to step down. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. November 20, 2010. Heather. Vogell. October 13, 2011.
  8. Staff report (March 29, 2013). Ex-APS Superintendent Beverly Hall, others indicted. WSBTV
  9. Web site: Jury finds Cotman not guilty in first Atlanta cheating trial. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. September 6, 2013. September 29, 2014. Niesse, Mark.
  10. Book: None of the Above: The Untold Story of the Atlanta Public Schools Cheating Scandal, Corporate Greed, and the Criminalization of Educators. Robinson. Shani. Simonton. Anna. Beacon Press. 2019. 9780807022207. Boston.
  11. Web site: Fani Willis will become the next Fulton County DA, beating six-term incumbent Paul Howard. 12 August 2020.
  12. News: Beverly Hall dies; criminal case — and her legacy — unresolved. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. May 3, 2018. Judd, Alan.
  13. Web site: 11 Atlanta educators convicted in cheating scandal . USA Today . 1 April 2015 . 1 April 2015 . WXIA-TV.
  14. Web site: Dessa Curb only educator found not guilty in APS cheating trial. Rodney Harris, Adam. Murphy. cbs46.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20150404123300/http://www.cbs46.com/story/28700319/dessa-curb-only-educator-found-not-guilty-in-aps-cheating-trial. 4 April 2015.
  15. Web site: Judge reduces sentences for 3 educators in Atlanta cheating scandal. Ellis. Ralph. Lopez. Elwyn. April 30, 2015. cnn.com.
  16. Web site: UPDATE: New mother gets prison, former principal jail in APS case. Cook. Rhonda. September 1, 2015. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  17. News: Former Teacher Blames Education Policymakers For Atlanta Cheating Scandal. Michel Martin. February 16, 2019. NPR News. 17 February 2019.
  18. Web site: Judge in APS cheating trial to remain on case as six seek retrial. McCray. Vanessa. Jan 24, 2019. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  19. Web site: Dockterman. Eliana. Creed Director Ryan Coogler on His Chemistry With Michael B. Jordan. 27 November 2015. Time. 13 January 2016.
  20. Web site: Michael B. Jordan, Ryan Coogler to Reteam on Education Scandal Movie 'Wrong Answer'. Dave. McNary. 7 June 2017. Variety. 17 February 2019.
  21. Web site: Testing the limits - Stage Pick of the Week - Arts&Culture - April 4, 2019. 2020-07-14. Sacramento News & Review. 3 April 2019.
  22. News: A Dystopian High School Musical Foresaw The College Admissions Scandal. 2020-07-14. NPR.org. en.

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