Educational accountability
The push for “accountability” in public education, including the federal “No Child Left Behind” mandate, has had some curious consequences. take for instance what is taking place in Muncie:
Supt. Marlin Creasy has not yet decided the punishment for Karen Dawson, a third-grade teacher at Longfellow Elementary School, who along with a student teacher, used hand signals to help students correctly answer questions on the high-stakes test. Dawson is currently suspended.
The teacher in question was a “master teacher,” meaning she had a graduate degree, at least 3 to 5 years experience, and had demonstrated ability. The superintendent noted that she was a “good classroom teacher” and was a leader within the school. It is amazing that such a well trained and apparently qualified teacher would do this, but even more amazing that someone who went through all the education, training, and work to get to her position would enlist 3rd graders in a cheating scheme - good influence for those kids. This either reflects a very damaged character on behalf of the teacher, or the immense pressure on teachers to meet achievement goals, or, more likely, both.
Link.
