Atlanta Cheating Scandal: Teachers Turn Themselves In

The cheating scandal that resulted in 35 educators turning themselves in today makes me sick.

Cheating by teachers was unheard of when I attended public school more than 25 years ago. The only cheating going on involved students who hadn’t studied, or panicked when taking tests. Eagle-eyed teachers knew just what to look for to catch these students, and make sure they learned early that cheating never pays.

Fast forward a quarter of a century and we now have teachers facing the consequences I was warned about as a student.

Today’s educational leaders are claiming that are schools are rotten and they’re going to fix the problem.

It looks to me like they have created a monster: A system that encourages people to do whatever it takes to attain money, power, and fame — then punishes them.

Why don’t we just focus on teaching kids and stop trying to create system?

About the author 

Michelle Boyd Waters, M.Ed.

I am a secondary English Language Arts teacher, a University of Oklahoma student working on my doctorate in Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum with an concentration in English Education and co-Editor of the Oklahoma English Journal. I am constantly seeking ways to amplify students' voices and choices.

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}