Jon Pelto reports that New London, Connecticut, is about to award a lucrative contract as superintendent to a “reformer” who has called himself “Dr.” without having earned a doctorate. Pelto commends Hartford Courant reporter Jon Lender for digging up the story.
Pelto writes:
“For more than eight years, “Dr.” Terrence Carter, the incoming New London superintendent of schools and self-described education reform expert, bragged that he had a Ph.D.
“At one point, Carter’s bio materials claimed that he had a doctorate from Stanford University.
“In another article his doctorate came from a joint program between Stanford and Oxford.
“And more recently he claimed his doctorate was from Lesley University.
“But it was all a lie.
“Interestingly he also claimed that he was hand-picked to be an education reform leader by none-other than the Arne Duncan, President Obama’s anti-teacher, anti-public education, pro-Common Core Secretary of Education.
“In a breaking news story written by the Hartford Courant’s investigative reporter Jon Lender, we now learn that the incoming New London superintendent of schools is an expert —- an expert at falsifying his resume.
“And just watch how the Malloy administration, Commissioner Stefan Pryor, and Special Master Steven Adamowski try to explain this embarrassment.
“After reading the Courant article, one thing is clear.
“The New London Board of Education is scheduled to vote on “Dr.” Terrence Carter’s lucrative contract on Monday night.
“Before that meeting, Malloy and Pryor need to make sure that Carter withdraws his name from consideration.
“And if Malloy and Pryor fail to do that, then the New London Board needs to reject Carter and re-open the search.”
Meet Dr. Guess. He has a Ph.D in Fabrication Studies.
Parity…you have Carter, LAUSD has Deasy. Amazing how many folks think they can advertise themselves as having advanced degrees…and then it turns out they were self appointed.
So we can now use honorifics before they are earned as long as we say we are working on it? Great! I browsed a WebMD article, sat through all of Lord of the Rings (extended versions), working on a black belt, tried to play Call of Duty, coached youth soccer, admit to watching Love Boat reruns, and once went to traffic court.
“Dr. Sir. Master Sgt. Coach Captain Math Vale, Esq. M.D.
and today’s award goes to…..
TAGO, MathVale
The trouble is these appointments. Honestly, what qualifies Cami Anderson of being Super in Newark, NJ other than Christie anointed her?
Are there not standards to be followed even for being a Principal? Get your masters and whatever certificate(s) needed? These Broad Supes need to go, and these anointed/appointed UNQUALIFIED Superintendents seriously need to be run out of town.
I just checked her bio on Linkedin. I knew she had been a public school teacher, but I guess that was through TFA. Yes? She does not have a Supt. certificate. What a crazy world.
As a point of information, Lesley University awards a PhD online, with meager requirements. Just pay the fee, attend 3 sessions on campus, and, voila! you have an advanced scholarly degree, Doctor of Philosophy, just like those fools that spend their time in the Seminars, research libraries, and rooms of real universities. Also, the search company, while collecting a hefty fee, uses that deep scholarly site Google! Meanwhile, Terrence Carter still does not have an awarded PhD. What a way to throw away taxpayers’ money.
Sorta like the Wizard gave to the Scarecrow?
Ms. Nolan, you have grossly misrepresented Lesley University’s doctoral programs. Where are you getting your facts? I invite you and others to visit http://lesley.edu to become better acquainted with the university and its programs.
I refuse to call anyone “doctor” unless they are wearing a white coat and have a stethoscope around their neck. I am much more impressed when I find out that someone has a doctorate, rather than having them tell me about it.
What’s wrong with the title of professor, principal, or superintendent?
I know of teachers who have doctorates who want their students to call them Dr… and make reference to their doctor title endlessly. Needless to say, the more attention they wanted, the less respect they got. They haven’t moved up the ranks because of it. One quit because he couldn’t get an adm. position. The other was given a position that required more work.
Dave Barry, a humor writer who I adore, says, “Have you ever noticed that people who have PhD’s, which are about as rare as air molecules, who insist on people calling them, “Doctor,” tend to be self-important weenies?” Sums it up in my mind. This is especially true of a principal I once had the displeasure to work for. She would yell at kids (as young as 12) if they called her “Mrs. So and So,” instead of “Dr. So and So.” Bleck.
You mean like Dr. Jill Biden? Yes, it seems an affection.
Great story! I have been commenting occasionally “that many individuals are now acquiring on-line degrees” — and — I believe many of the … are handed out for $$$. (as mentioned by Margaret–above). That’s what is wrong with education (see); I bet that further research would show many (others) working in the state(s) Dept’s of Edu…. have similar backgrounds. Let’s start a discussion about the detrimental impact(s) that affirmative action policies are having upon … public education! Ken
” Let’s start a discussion about the detrimental impact(s) that affirmative action policies are having upon … public education!”
And??!!! Go ahead lay it out here so we can “discuss better education for all”.
Hi Duane: I appreciate your comments! unfortunately “that’s not my bag”! I can tell you that it is my personal opinion that the Chickens will come home to roost! See middle aged “white” women are getting the benefits–now that’s going to piss off the FEMS but it’s true! KEN
Ken,
I’m not sure to what “benefits” that the “ma’w’w” are getting you are referring that FEMS don’t get nor why the FEMS (by which I am assuming you mean the word feminists of which their are many stripes and colors) should be pissed off. To which affirmative action policies do you refer?
And in California, Torlakson has been known to grant honorary doctorates to public school superintendents who don’t deserve them. So what else is new?
Forgive my ignorance, but how does a state superintendent grant doctorates?
Your getting good at baiting the hook and having the patience to strike-ha ha!
Click to access D9212662101.PDF
Another CV found on Google.
Great find. Anyone who has been “schooled” in Chicago should be immediately suspect.
And the New London PR person, former reporter, refers to him as DR. SEVENTEEN times in this press release.
I thought he never identified himself as DR and they note his PhD from Lesley, the one he didn’t earn yet.
Just wait, he will be approved tomorrow night.
Click to access Superintendent%20Announcement.pdf
What ever happened to the one page CV?
“Doctor of Fullofsophy”
— by Some DAM Poet
I have a PhD
I got it on Craigslist
It’s really worth the fee
And really can’t be dissed
It’s got official seal
From Harvardprinceton U.
With Ivy league appeal
And lots of goldleaf too
I got it for a fifty
They wanted 75
The frame is really nifty
And really worth the drive
I hung it in my den
Above my other laurels
My MD from U Pen
And Noble Prize in Morals
It really comes in handy
When I apply to jobs
The thing is really dandy
And earns me bucks in gobs
I’m really glad I waited
To get my PhD
Cuz Craigslist was just fated
To give the thing to me
AWESOME!
Thank you … but folks like Pelto really deserve all the credits, even though they didn’t earn them.
larry: TAGO!
😎
BTW, are you planning to attend the “We Are The World” party for “Dr.” John Deasy and “Dr.” Steve Perry and “Dr.” Terence Carter? To be hosted by Paul Vallas who is flying in just to arrange the event before he gets his next gig, or as he puts it:
“I go in, fix the system, I move on to something else.”
Link: http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Paul-Vallas–213999671.html
Free pre-party screenings available of WAITING FOR SUPERMAN and WON’T BACK DOWN for anyone willing to sit through them.
See ya there?
😉
Bibiddy, bobiddy, boo?
Read the entire Hartford courant piece:
Those documents don’t indicate where that doctorate was obtained. Carter said they’re not references to his anticipated doctorate from Lesley University in Massachusetts. Instead, he says, he obtained a doctorate in 1996 from an unaccredited school, Lexington University.
When asked about the degree Tuesday, Carter first told The Courant that he had earned a doctorate in theology from Hamersfield University in London. In a phone interview, he said that the doctorate would enable him to “practice in the ministry.”
On Thursday, when pressed further on the Hamersfield degree, Carter sent The Courant a printed transcript from Lexington University. The transcript listed no campus address or Internet website for online studies.
A Web search turned up a site headed “Lexington University,” which advertises for people to get their degrees at prices of up to several hundred dollars. It’s unclear if that website is connected with the transcript sent by Carter — and he declined to answer more questions.
“I have nothing further to say on this matter,” he wrote late Thursday in response to a follow-up email.
http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-carter-resume-0716-20140718,0,7548087.story
Linda,
I read it and it was very illuminating. He did not think it was misleading to use a title for a degree he had not earned. I think he is a perfect candidate for the job since he clearly has no respect for educational institutions.
All the rest could be a lie, but the part about Duncan could be entirely true.
Arne Duncan, AKA, DR. Demento.
Hey – Dr. Demento had a vast amount of knowledge on his subject matter – the odd song and unique tune- there is no comparision ! He knew his subject unlike the former – er reformer – whatever his speciality is. How long did Duncan work in a school district and deal with students, parents, principals and teachers?
Sorry, cali–perhaps I should have given Arne the title Dr.DementED.
After all, has ED in the title, & an apt working definition:
demented~mad, insane.
I digress—my respects to the real Dr. Demento!
Falsifying education/employment records, in many states…maybe most, is a major ethics violation and individuals may be subject to firing and possible review and/or sanctioning of certification.
How ¿Dr? Carter pulled this off and continues the charades today is beyond comprehension. As a superintendent, he will also have to make recommendations and decisions about employees who violate ethics regulations. Would he identify with them and allow more violators to gather in New London? What a shyster!
Carter’s “success” here on substance news…same old Chicago gang members:
http://www.substancenews.net/articles.php?page=4258
Go to page 20 where Illinois BOE refers to DR. Carter:
Click to access collins-hs-d299.pdf
There was an article in The (New London) Day today re “Dr.” Carter; front page above the fold. http://www.theday.com/article/2010719/NWS01/140719650/1017 Their website is acting very funky; can’t seem to access the article right now. Maybe the New London PR person, former reporter, has some control over that? Adamfraudski, in the article, definitely referred to Carter as Dr. On his CV on the Shreveport Times, it states he was expecting his doctorate in August, 2013. I guess that has changed now to August, 2014? What a joke! I agree with Linda…he’ll probably be approved tomorrow night.
Stefan Pryor, our charter chain creator non educator commish, has been trying to place Carter ( a recycled Chicago cabal puppet) somewhere in CT. He speaks all the correct reformy slogans, another Manchurian candidate for the privatizers to control. Looks like several districts took a pass on Carter in the last year or so.
Welcome to Connecticut: where our politicians have been bought, our kids are for sale and hey, at least our teachers “show up”.
Connecticut…Illinois…New Jersey…Florida…Louisiana–evryr state except, perhaps, Vermont?
How about this one? Here in GA, Cobb’s new Superintendent is supremely underqualified: he has only a BS in Information Systems (from Kennesaw State) and is pursuing an MBA from Shorter. He isn’t qualified to be a teacher in the system he now runs–a system that is one of the US’s largest and one of the South’s highest performing.
Jon, Linda, Someone, Can you please pass along the following information to the powers that be?
I found Carter’s salary listings for the years 2006 – 2010 for his work at CPS, in the Teacher and Administrator Salary Database at the Family Taxpayer Foundation here:
http://familytaxpayers.org/ftf/ftf_salaries.php
A master’s degree is listed for Carter from 2006 – 2008. Then a doctorate is listed in 2009 and 2010. This info is provided by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE):
Year
2006
Name: Carter Terrence P
Salary: $112,164
Position: Elementary Principal
Full/Part Time: Fulltime
Percent Time Employed: 100%
Assignment: Administration
Years Teaching: 2.0
Degree: Master’s
School Name: BARTON ELEM SCHOOL
District Name: CITY OF CHICAGO SD 299
2007
Name: Carter Terrence P
Salary: $118,856
Position: Elementary Principal
Full/Part Time: Fulltime
Percent Time Employed: 100%
Assignment: Administration
Years Teaching: 4
Degree: Master’s
School Name: CHICAGO ACADEMY ELEM SCHOOL
District Name: CITY OF CHICAGO SD 299
2008:
Name: Carter, Terrence P
Salary: $133,203
Position: Elementary Principal
Full/Part Time: Fulltime
Percent Time Employed: 100%
Assignment: Administration
Years Teaching: 5.0
Degree: Master’s
School Name: CATALYST CIRCLE ROCK ELEM SCHOO
District Name: City of Chicago SD 299
2009
Name: Carter, Terrence
Salary: $132,834
Position: Elementary Principal
Full/Part Time: Fulltime
Percent Time Employed: 100%
Assignment: Administration
Years Teaching: 6
Degree: Doctorate
School Name: Barton Elem School
District Name: City of Chicago SD 299
2010
Name: Carter, Terrence
Salary: $142,128
Position: Elementary Principal
Full/Part Time: Fulltime
Percent Time Employed: 100%
Assignment: Administration
Years Teaching: 7
Degree: Doctorate
School Name: Barton Elem School
District Name: City of Chicago SD 299
I unfortunately have no connections to powers that be Cosmic. How much does the Connecticut gig pay?
NJ Teacher, I don’t know what’s being offered to Carter, but here’s info on what the outgoing superintendent of New London, CT received:
“Fischer has been superintendent since 2009. His last approved contract in 2011 included a $151,470 annual salary, 25 vacation days, payment of 84 percent of health and dental premiums by the district, a $7,000 insurance stipend, a $6,000 expense account for travel and other business expenses, a $5,000 tax-sheltered annuity and a $500 monthly automobile stipend.”
http://newlondon.patch.com/groups/schools/p/2014-remains-end-date-for-new-london-superintendent
Thank. You.
Notice that each year Mr. Carter was a ptincipal, his reported years of “teaching experience’ increased.
Lies, liar
Damn lies, damn liar
Hubristic lies, hubristic SOB
Avaricious lies, avaricious bastard
George Sheridan: good catch!
Duane Swacker: would “Dr.” Carter be a “Michael Jordan” of lying? After all, as Dr. Raj Chetty reminds us in his Vergara testimony, there is a “psychological bias that any human being has to focus on outliers.” Said human beings apparently—or especially—including those educrats and economists and psychometricians and accountabully underlings in the service of the leading charterites/privatizers.
So would “Dr.” Carter be an “outliar” as larry so felicitously put it?
¿? Inquiring minds want to know…
😎
Notice how the years of “teaching” go up even though he is clearly administration? so if they go back to the classroom, do they get to claim extra years of classroom experience?
By claiming those years of “teaching” that he never did, Carter gains credibility with uncritical reporters and school boards – credibility that comes from creating the false impression that he knows students and the work of teaching the way we real educators do. It is just as much of a lie and just as important in establishing his fake expertise as his fake doctorate.
If you review Carter’s CV here http://www.shreveporttimes.com/assets/pdf/D9212662101.PDF then you can see that he never actually taught even one day in a K12 classroom.
It looks to me like, somehow, Carter was given credit for the first two years of teaching that are listed by ISBE in 2005 based on his New Leaders for New Schools principal training from July 2004 to June 2005. (That’s a Broadie backed program and he apparently completed it at the same time as he earned his National-Louis University certificate in advanced studies.)
Two years of classroom teaching experience was required for the type 75 principal certificate then so I’d love to know how he got around that based on 1 year as a principal in training.
I’d also like to know how those supposed two years of teaching suddenly became 4 years –look how it jumps from 2 years in 2005 to 4 years in 2006.
The whole thing looks hinky to me.
Correction, the jump is from 2 years of teaching in 2006 to 4 years of teaching in 2007.
How interesting that, in 2006, “Dr.” T.C. became an administrator w/ 2 yrs teaching experience. (All the the other numbers in the coming years don’t quite jibe, either.) Last but not least, information is spotty & scattered for Catalyst Circle Rock Elementary School
(which is a charter school). test scores are strangely sporadic, and no I.D. of students having disabilities. Seems, too, to be an underenrolled school (gasp! Wasn’t that one of the reasons CPS closed 50 + schools?!) Strange brew.
Retiredbutmissthekids,
Can you recall how many years of teaching experience was required for principals around 2005? Administrative requirements are different since they went from certificates to licensure last year, and I found an old page on an NIU website regarding the type 75 requirements which said it was two years, but I thought it used to be more and had to be in K12. I don’t see how this guy can have even two years of K12 teaching experience.
Retiredbutmissthekids,
Yes, there are a lot of things that don’t jibe.
For example, when you compare Carter’s CV here http://www.shreveporttimes.com/assets/pdf/D9212662101.PDF
with the info from the database, the dates don’t match up:
On his CV, Carter claims to have worked at Barton from 2005-2010 and he takes credit for three years of test score increases there, in 2006, 2007 and 2008. However, the database says in 2007 he was at Chicago Academy Elementary School and in 2008 he was at Catalyst Circle Rock Elementary School, and he didn’t return to Barton until 2009, so he took credit for two years when he wasn’t even there!
Also, I found two reviews by Carter of a 2012 book by Lucy Calkins on the following page at Amazon where he signed his name, “Terrence P. Carter, Ph.D., Curriculum & Instruction Department, Academy for Urban School Leadership, National Teachers Academy, Chicago”
“Oh what a tangled web we weave
When first we practise to deceive!”
Sir Walter Scott
BTW, I believe this means Carter fraudulently submitted info to the Board falsely claiming he earned a doctorate, in order to get a salary bump. There should be a record of it on file with CPS and ISBE.
Deasy the superintendent of LAUSD has a similar problem with his PHD. It seems he finished it in record time without the required course work and time that a regular candidate would go through. Seems these guys just don’t really get it. You take the courses to learn about educators and leading people, not to get the job through false credentials One has to wonder if this man in this article learned how to handle false resume candidates in all his 45 courses on human resources. Probably they told him never hire such a liar and fire them if you already hired them. Hope that’s what they do to him.
Fred Klonsky, here a doctor, there a doctor:
Yes! The people of New London, CT, and all its students, deserve much better than someone who can not be honest about his degree and where he earned it. Hand-picked by Arne Duncan? He has made several errors in judgment, but I hope this is not another. Stand up all of CT and demand better and his resignation. It’s not this type of “reform” that we need. It’s honesty and caring for whole child development and the joy of learning.
Aside from the doctorate fraud in Terrence Carter’s delusional world of success, there is the fact that diploma factories have made ‘school reform’ money from well intentioned and pressured educators reaching for a higher income by working for doctorates that school districts require as salary step increases. It is readily obvious that these, but for the few, “Doctors’ are hardly worthy of the title’s prestige. Some seem to believe that they are now great scholars. It is particularly pitiful to see them walk (when not in office glued to their district issued corporate mode laptops) around as principal/CEO of an elementary school with staff falling over themselves and repeating “Dr. So-and-So” ad nauseam throughout the day. They have jumped through the ‘hoops’ for that piece of paper and I shall not discredit their effort, but they need to do a reality check on the true status of being a teacher and a compassionate leader. Many of them, possibly Mr Carter as well,were once exceptional classroom teachers, but we know that classroom teachers are not compensated at a salary worthy of their year-after-year dedication thereby leading some to fend for themselves while further compromising school districts with fraudulent credentials.
Carter was never a classroom teacher.
See his CV:
Click to access D9212662101.PDF
His vita has many inconsistencies & missing dates which could have been discovered at the first interview. Red Flags!
He shames our teaching profession and millions of professionals.
Shame on him and the NL BOE!
Educators, decent, hardworking, dedicated with integrity and credentials, are fighting for their students and their jobs every day. Men like Terrence Carter are becoming a common cancer killing public education from the inside while Corporated shysters and profiteers manipulate every minute aspect of dismanteling our schools.
May he rot in…
Well, we might ask to much of Pryor. What are his qualifications other than supporting a business model for principals? What is his educational background?