The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (7/11, Sarrio) reports on the impact that the Atlanta cheating scandal is having on the debate over high-stakes testing, noting that some observers predict that the focus on standardized testing may "trigger similar episodes in the years ahead." State officials said that the Atlanta cheating scandal is largely attributable to "pressure to meet testing targets," and has "tarnished Atlanta's Cinderella story of school reform. This comes as Georgia and states across the country are working on new strategies to retain, pay and promote teachers and principals based -- in large part -- on how much growth students show on standardized tests." However, Education Secretary Arne Duncan "said the Atlanta situation was 'deeply disturbing,' but he disagrees with people who say a greater emphasis on testing will cause more cheating. Students need to be evaluated, he said, and what leads to great test scores is great teaching." This article is accompanied by a Q&A with Duncan about the scandal.
ED Official Expresses Concern About Cheating Allegations.FOX News (7/11) quotes ED's Justin Hamilton saying that "the department is 'concerned' about the wave of investigations and allegations regarding cheating on standardized tests in several school systems, but stressed that most schools are 'doing the right thing.'" Fox alludes to the DC and Atlanta investigations, noting that Hamilton, "while declining to comment specifically on the D.C. probe, said Sunday that it's important investigators get 'to the bottom' of the cheating claims. 'People want to have confidence in that process,' he told FoxNews.com. 'It's clear that the real crime here is that these kids are being cheated out of the world-class education they deserve.'" This article notes Education Secretary Arne Duncan's recent warning to state officials that districts should increase vigilance about systemic cheating.
No comments:
Post a Comment