Below are links to teacher cheating scandals found in the last decade or so....
Why would any teacher cheat on students' tests? Pressure to perform on the tests may be the reason, but shouldn't teachers be excellent role models for our kids, first? As a teacher, I know cheating is prevalent in the public and private schools among students; however, I am appalled that teachers would actively participate or change results! Or am I? I can see the greed and moral decay from the top to the bottom, actually. Yes there are great, Christian teachers, but the majority???? This is one more reason to teach your children at home - to teach integrity along side math and science, reading and language, history and art!
It is also interesting that 'cheating' was defined as showing the students the test prior to the test administration!
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/10/28/national/main580355.shtml "Teachers have read off answers during a test, sent students back to correct wrong answers, photocopied secure tests for use in class, inflated scores, and peeked at questions then drilled those topics in class before the test, according to records obtained by The Associated Press."
http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/08/05/atlanta.public.schools.scandal/index.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/11/education/11cheat.html
This next one particularly dotes the amorality of our society and doesn't uphold moral responsibility, but encapsulates human 'nature' as defending the cheating actions! Basically, the results are worth the cheating actions... WHAT? a raise is worth your integrity being thrown in the garbage???
http://www.chicagobooth.edu/capideas/may05/cheating.html
When or why do you think it became OK to cheat for students (and now for teachers?). It is common practice, just ask your kids...
Our school district recently fired a teacher for the cheating you discuss.
ReplyDeleteMy son was home schooled through eighth grade. In four years of high school he's had about 24 different teachers. Of those, I would only complain about one, though a short meeting worked out the communication problem.
You speak of integrity in your post. Be careful not to tarnish yours by lumping hundreds of thousands of teachers into one big lump. In our experience, the bad teachers are definitely the exception, not the rule.
So glad your family had such a positive experience with your son's high school. However, I'm speaking from my personal experiences as well as what I see and hear on the media or internet. Teachers are under such pressure for students to perform at a certain level on standardized tests, that they are not able to teach, be inspiring, or prepare students for the real world.
ReplyDeleteI have worked with many fine teachers, but anyone can succumb to such pressure unless they have boldness and principles by which to live and perhaps some co-worker support. My further, more personal, experience... I do not feel at liberty to share at this time. I am not trying to lump teachers as much as I am a school system that revolves around testing...and students and teachers who cheat to get the rewards good test scores bring!