The investigators of the D.C. cheating scandal of 2011 finally reported in and said there was cheating in only one school, the Noyes Campus.
Since the principal of that one school has already resigned, the investigation is closed.
Here’s the funny thing. The investigators decided to investigate only one school.
The USA Today series that uncovered the cheating said there were unusual erasures in more than half the schools in DC.
But the investigators decided that there was no point in investigating more than Noyes, and that everyone else had learned their lesson.
Coach Bob in Florida wants to know what gives. He thinks someone is stonewalling.
GF Brandenburg, who writes regularly about DC schools, says it is a whitewash.
Just look the other way.
Case closed.
Or is it?
Diane Ravitch's blog 
No doubt Arne had a hand in squashing it. After all he appeared on a dais together with Rhee awhile back.
Maybe Rhee paid some people off. It’s been known to happen
This statement is odd:
D.C.’s Office of the Inspector General said it considered expanding the probe to other schools, but concluded that “once the erasure issue came to light, any improper practices that may have occurred in the past would diminish.”
So they didn’t need to investigate further because the investigation itself would make people too afraid to continue cheating? That was the purpose of this “investigation”?
I think some of the Feds (Arne) in DC had some influence or maybe not looking bad in an election year was a priority.
“So they didn’t need to investigate further because the investigation itself would make people too afraid to continue cheating? That was the purpose of this “investigation”?”
Just the modus operandi of politicians in DC these days. You know, Pelosi’s famous “impeachment is of the table” or Obama’s “We need to look forward and not backword”. Same ol caca!
off not of the table
better yet- what is past is prologue
On April 18, 2012 the Washington Post reported that Kaya Henderson said the cheating probe was “wrapping up”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-schools-insider/post/henderson-cheating-probe-wrapping-up/2012/04/18/gIQARKinQT_blog.html
I guess DCPS uses Backward Planning.
well at least is a complete comprehensive investigation just like atlanta etc. Why bother with any other schools or programs too likely it would all trace back to the top. If Duncan lets this nonsense fly he will look even more complicit than he does in NY and thats bad–openly corrupt–0-follow the money–any real reporters out there
“This is like an education Ponzi scam,” says Nathan Saunders, head of the Washington Teachers’ Union. “If your test scores improve, you make more money. If not, you get fired. That’s incredibly dangerous.”
This is what “motivation with money” achieves … cheating and misuse of test scores. This is Rhee’s legacy to the DC public school system. Her methods did not bring out the best in people. How sad for the students who have no voice.
Case closed? I hope not. This is not just an issue in DC.
So let’s talk about the other ways to game the system. Increase the
number of students who take an alternative sped. Test and then your
numbers improve. Under NCLB I believe you only had to report sped stats if you have 40 or more students. So the admin. creates four small high schools within the large high school and spread out the sped, so each has less than 40. Minimum grades of 55 whether you do any work or ever show up…all F’s must be at least 55. Students figure out if they get at least one 75 in one marking period, they are set for the year. Overriding teacher grades without consent thus inflating graduation rates.
Telling students to leave answers they are unsure of blank and NOT to guess. Why? So someone can fill them in later and then there are no erasures to worry about. Not taking attendance testing days, so empty books can be taken care of later? And in one city this has been reported and nothing happens. You see…there are lots of ways to cook the books, juke the stats, move the shells around.
This is how the carpet bagging self-appointed reformers get their stellar reputations and it has NOTHING to do with teaching and learning.
Well…as one who is familiar with this system in a variety of capacities and a former DC resident I can’t tell you how ticked and disappointed I was with this. Truly embarrassing. What The Heck is this garbage?
If I had to rate this IG on an IMPACT like evaluation I would rate him as “ineffective”.
If I were the IG, I would hang my head in shame. Actually, as a point of honor I would have resigned before issuing a report like this. And this is the result of thousands of dollars in salary and of several months of “investigating”? Due diligence? Really?
A high-school senior could have written a better report if all he/she did was sit at a computer, use Google, and read various blogs, newspaper reports and various comment sections. This report doesn’t even pass the smell test.
This comment, if accurate sums it up best. Of course I have to wonder who is in charge and who is running the investigation. This does not inspire confidence nor bode well for DCPS.
Investigators said they limited the probe because they believed news coverage of the scandal would limit future cheating — and because schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson handed over “no additional evidence” of cheating or “investigative leads to pursue.”
Hopefully Jay Matthews and John Merrow won’t let up. Eventually…one hopes the truth will come out. But for those who know something, remember…the truth will set you free. Think about it.
I’m livid. Teachers were fired based on these juiced test scores. Teachers and principals collected bonuses and other “incentives”. Parents were deceived of their child’s actual progress or lack thereof and children were placed, promoted and some denied promotion based on these test scores.
Hey Charles, where is the wine, chocolate and flowers?
The investigation needs to be thorough – all suspected schools need to be checked carefully. I volunteer!
Makes no sense to investigate only one school when others were reported as suspicious. Are the police going to investigate only one suspect when there are possibly others?
Welcome to DC style investigations. I’m hoping that Arne’s shop does a better job.
There are some choice Louisiana investigations, too! Public record requests have been sent regarding the deliberations done as to which schools should get vouchers. Some excuse like ” deliberative process privilege” is being used.
Pretty soon they’ll be teaching how to cheat at TC’s http://studentslast.blogspot.com/2012/08/new-course-offering-how-to-cheat-on.html