"It was all about greed"

Atlanta school cheating scandal presents valuable ethical lessons
[Spartanburg Herald-Journal] Several students said the following: "They're selling us short. I think they're really taking education away from us. It was all about greed — ‘to make sure the money is there.' " In other words, I would apply the egoism principle here to say that Atlanta Public Schools was only looking out for itself to ensure its funding and status as a successful school district instead of building its success upon bright, well-rounded and aspirant students, especially as they matriculate in order to become active public servants for our world.

When Atlanta students speculate about the scandal being "all about greed", they're not talking about school funding, prestige or what I might call "abstract" rewards. Teachers and principals got bonuses, direct financial incentives, for high test scores -- and public humiliation among their peers for poor ones.

I do not blame solely the Atlanta Public School District for its role in the cheating, for I believe that "it takes two to tango," which is where our households come into play. I am from the household that education begins at home.

"I am from the household that education begins at home"? I believe I know what Mr Wilder is trying to say, but his inability to say it clearly is troubling. He seems rather less comfortable expressing his thoughts in print than I would like my college-level political science instructors to be.

Schools happy program being left behind
[Pekin IL Daily Times] School districts are pleased that President Barack Obama signed an executive order this week granting states the option of requesting a waiver of No Child Left Behind requirements if they pursue other education reform efforts.

Which districts are pleased? Are some ambivalent? Perhaps my district is fraught with ennui. "Districts" are not entities capable of being pleased: People can be pleased, but when they are, they should be quoted, or at least attributed anonymously. What do they teach kids in journalism school these days?

It's also too soon to claim that "No Child Left Behind" is being "left behind", and yes, *sigh*, I saw what you did there.

No cheating on tests should be tolerated
[Charlotte Observer] School officials had revealed last month, as the Atlanta scandal swept headlines, that [Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools] conducted 11 investigations into test cheating or security violations last school year and found seven incidents involving misdeeds.
...The most troubling incident - the kind that has the Atlanta Public Schools reeling - involved a teacher assistant at Lake Wylie Elementary who was showing students the correct answers. She was supposed to be acting as a monitor to make sure the teacher was following test rules.
...The 11 CMS breaches may be the only ones that occurred. But all we actually know is that those were the only breaches uncovered and reported.

Surely seven positives out of eleven investigations is enough to widen the scope of the inquiry. I have a sinking feeling that the problem is far larger than any single school system.