�鶹������ý

The cheating scandal recently rocked has moved up the coast to Philadelphia. This large school district has recently dismissed two school administrators amid serious cheating allegations. Those involved in the investigation into Philadelphia schools have suggested that the two dismissals may not be the end of what looks to be another widespread cheating problem that could impact teachers and administrators throughout the Philadelphia school system.

This video from CBS This Morning reports on four Philadelphia teachers and a principal being charged with a felony for allegedly doctoring state test results.

Principals: The First Casualties in Cheating Investigation

reports that two principals in Philadelphia are the first to face dismissal amid cheating accusations. The principals surrendered their city credentials in lieu of discipline by the district. Barbara McCreery worked as the principal at Communication Technology High, a school in Southwest Philadelphia that saw an exponential jump in standardized test scores in 2010. McCreery had recently moved to Bok Technical High School, where she was recently removed from her position as principal due to the cheating allegations.

Lolo Marie O’Rourke, principal at Locke Elementary School in West Philadelphia during the time cheating allegedly occurred, was also stripped of her city credentials. O’Rourke is currently serving as the language arts supervisor in Trenton Public Schools in New Jersey, according to .

Texas education has come under fire in recent months for introducing what has become the most controversial curriculum in the country to public school children. Known as CSCOPE, this “instructional material” has become the source of much debate in Texas and nationwide. Is CSCOPE, as some proponents assert, simply a way for state schools to ensure full instruction of the educational standards for Texas? Or is it something more sinister – propaganda to indoctrinate Texas youth in the ways of Muslimism, communism, and terrorism? The answer to those questions may depend on which side of the political aisle you seek your answers.

What is CSCOPE?

The website states CSCOPE is “a comprehensive online curriculum management system.” It was developed by the (TESCCC). TESCCC comprises all 20 education service centers in the state, which oversee a particular region of the state. The curriculum framework is designed to align with the standards for all academic areas in accordance with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).

CSCOPE was first implemented in Texas classrooms during the 2006-2007 school year. At that time, 182 active districts were using the CSCOPE system. As of last fall, 875 school districts are using CSCOPE in their classrooms. The extensive use of the system throughout the state has also resulted in additional scrutiny from Texas parents, educators and lawmakers, as well as interested parties across the country.

No school district in Texas is required to use CSCOPE.

The dress code has become a major source of contention at one Mobile County school, as a widespread suspension has resulted in strong feelings on both sides of the issue. While some applaud the suspensions as a way to teach students responsibility, others claim the suspension sends the wrong message to students about priorities. Who is right and who is wrong in this debate? The answer may depend on who you talk to.

Suspensions Come after Numerous Warnings

reports that the principal of LeFlore Magnet High School in Mobile County recently suspended 100 students on a single day for dress code violations. The principal, Alvin Dailey, said the suspensions were issued after numerous warnings to the students that they needed to abide by the dress codes that had been in place at the school for 16 years.

“I’ve repeatedly told kids before today to pull your pants up, take that jacket off, tuck your shirt in,” Dailey stated at Fox 10. “After a while, it’s time to stop talking and take some action.”

The two-day suspensions created a gamut of responses from parents, students, and even members of the community. Some supported Dailey’s decision, saying the students need to learn “soft” skills – like a professional appearance - in high school that will help them succeed in jobs after graduation. Others complained that Dailey’s extreme measure does little more than take students out of a safe learning environment and put them on their

The cheating scandal that has rocked the Atlanta Public School system for the better part of five years is now coming to a close with nearly three dozen indictments against educators in the city. Now, those found guilty of myriad charges, from racketeering to making false charges, have been given a deadline to report for jail. Among those indicted is Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Beverly Hall, who received hundreds of thousands of dollars in bonuses directly tied to the “improvements” in standardized test scores.

A Long, Sordid Saga Comes to a Close

Suspicions of cheating throughout the Atlanta Public School system were first raised in 2008 by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. According to the , the publication ran a story questioning the “statistically improbable” test score improvements at one of the city’s elementary schools. The Journal Constitution followed up with other levels of suspicious test results at ten more schools throughout the city.

What evolved after those reports was a long and complex investigation launched by former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue. Perdue put numerous state resources behind the study, assigning two state prosecutors and dozens of investigators to the task. The study took several years to complete and eventually told a sordid tale of teachers forced into test cheating by intense pressure coming from top officials in the district.

This video reports on the Atlanta Schools cheating scandal.

Dozens of Counts

In the traditional school, the curriculum is chosen by school board members and taught by faculty – usually standing in front of a classroom of students. Students can choose to engage in the lesson or not, but until now, they rarely have much say in what or how they learn. One high school in Massachusetts has set courses on a new learning adventure, where students choose the subjects and run the classroom as they see fit. Does it work? Let’s find out.

The Independent Project

recently reported on an innovative program taking place at Monument Mountain Regional High School in Massachusetts. The program, aptly dubbed the “Independent Project,” offers students a chance to determine how and what they study during school hours. The project was started by a student who became frustrated by seeing his friends lose interest in learning and stop trying to perform academically.

Sam Levin complained to his mother about the problem, who promptly suggested Levin start his own school. The high school student began with a garden on school property that was fully tended by students voluntarily. When Levin saw how readily students put forth effort on a project of their own, he decided to expand the garden concept to other aspects of the school experience.

This video discusses the student-driven concept of running Monument Mountain RHS in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.

“I was seeing the