The situation is analogous to the baseball steroid scandal. Cheating gets more glory and more money. Not cheating gets lectures, layoffs, and obscurity. If you believe you won't be caught - why not do it? Who needs integrity when a facade of accomplishment is apparently just as fulfilling? Hopefully nobody looks into the hundreds of Baltimore City graduating seniors who have rarely attended school during their tenures. I wonder how that happens?

Which brings us back to the discussion about making teachers pay more merit based. Do you think there will be more incentive to "help" the students pass these standardized tests if teachers know that their ability to get a raise is tied to the test results? Clearly, administrators are feeling that anxiety already if the need to cheat for the students is taking place.

That's one way to meet AYP and/or try to keep your job. It's probably more prevalent than people think with all the cuts, zero basing, etc goin on lately.

It is unfortunate that the students of the city are getting shortchanged. Cheating has been going on for years, this school got caught because they changed the answers after the students completed the test. As an experienced middle school teacher, I have heard over the years various tactics used in elementary schools to help students out on the test. Students were able to go back and work on previous sections, teachers would 'recommend' that answers should be changed. The best one that I heard was when I told a student that they could not complete the test on the designated make-up day. 'In my old school that's what they told us it was for'. And the people at North Avenue wonder why there is a drop in testing scores between 5th and 6th grades?

I like Dr. Alonso's tactic of putting the spotlight on the previous principal. In the email I received from the school system, Dr. Alonso says, "I am sad because in this case, the adult(s) involved clearly did not believe in our kids." The top officials have so much riding on these measures of reform (standardized testing) that they'd never stop and say, wait, maybe something is wrong with these tests. Nope. Again, they point the finger at the teachers and principal.

If we buy into this "who-done-it mystery," we're completely skipping over the real issue that is hindering our students: the tests. I'm not saying that the school made the right choice by altering students' test sheets. Teachers feel like they need high test scores in order for their school to survive. To me, that's the issue. I don't really care who changed those test answers.

I applaud the efforts of Dr. Alonzo, Dr. Grasmick, and the Baltimore City School Board to identify, investigate, address and disclose this issue. Punishing cheating administrators and students who cheat is appropriate. Whether or not the MSA or HSA tests are desireable or useful has no effect on the fact that cheating occurred and must be punished. Laura, do you really want to work with cheating colleagues? And Clear Conscious, if you have actual knowledge of cheating on attendance records, your silence is also cheating. That's what I learned in public school. We pulled our kids out of private schools to place them in public schools because of the amazing work that so many teachers, administrators, staff and students are doing. BCPS may not be perfect but our kids are happy and engaged as part of the solution.

They'll find the guilty party. Anyone stupid enough to do this has to be too stupid to not get caught.

Disconnect exposed @ site City School shows widespread cheating found at city elementary school

This is one joint example of the lack of oversight provided by all MSDE, City School Board, City Schools Networks and City Schools Operations each education function area of disconnection exposed for the symptoms widespread "tip of the ICEBURG" false-positive results-driven assessment testing and curriculums outcome cheating investigation uncovered.

Will the adult in the City Schools primary school executive director position be held accountable and responsible also? Who else in the City Schools the adult former CAO of school operations area needs to be held accountable? Oh yea she's gone too! The clock is ticking for a show of greater school system operations executive level oversight we are still waiting for "GREAT SCHOOLS ACCOUNTABILITY & TRANSPARENCY."

Conceivably, there are teachers at that school possibly with mediocre skills, who thought they were getting through to their students because their students were scoring well on the tests. So the teachers kept doing the same old, same old, seeing good scores as validation of their work. I'm not sure it matters who changed the scores - everyone will need re-evaluated since there has been no objective assessment of teaching and learning.

I really wish we wouldn't call this "Widespread Cheating." To many, that headline reads as if the kids are to blame, and it was some mass conspiracy of youth cheating.

In reality it was most likely teachers or administrators. I'd say they submitted fraudulent tests.

That choice of words will diminish the assumption students were in the wrong.

I think this cheating issue is going to be like the bullying issue. Once we uncover the truth about one incident, other secrets start to come out. Cheating on those tests is going on all over Baltimore, just not on such a grand scale as in this particular case.

@Very Happy BCPS Parent: No matter how ineffective or corrupt a program or test is, I do not believe teachers or administrators have an excuse for cheating. I think this incident uncovers the stress and high stakes that are associated with these tests. The children are the ones who pay the ultimate consequence.

@NDResCity: Good point that unknowing teachers probably thought they were doing an excellent job of teaching since scores were reflecting such positive gains.

I think the severe consequences that go along with low test scores are stifling teachers' abilities to think clearly and to TEACH efficiently and effectively. I understand that we need accountability, but holding teachers solely accountable for these multiple choice tests is too much.

I heard a middle school teacher say that SHE wasn't even sure what the "right" answer was on an MSA question.

This is not shocking news. Cheating occurs in almost every school to a different degree. Some teachers might give very specific "hints" on how and what to answer while other teachers will actually go as far as change their students answers. I have witnessed all of this first hand. After speaking to colleagues from different schools, it's apparently more prevalent than you would ever imagine.

This story of cheating does not surprise anyone who has been in the system for any length of time. Yes, it should not have happened and, yes, those responsible should be held accountable. However, I agree that equally reprehensible are those principals who "encourage" teachers to give seniors additional work when they don't deserve it or qualify for additional help at the end of the year. When principals are evaluated on graduation rates, what can you expect?

Here is one big problem with the testing protocol. Teachers have no way to protect themselves with regard to testing. We do not pack up and send off tests. They are handled at least once more if not more. If cheating is a problem, teachers should be allowed to bundle and somehow seal their tests so they can't be handlled again. Otherwise, please do not hold me responsible for what an IST, test coordinator, assisstant principal, or principal may feel the need to do. This is a serious glitch in the system. Very sad but true.

I swore I wasn't going to comment on this issue again, after wading through the comments attached to the original Sun article...but it's hard to read about this scandal, and not offer an alternate point of view.

My son is a student in the third grade at George Washington Elementary -- thankfully he did not attend the school during the 2007 MSA testing period. I have nothing but confidence in our current principal, Amanda Rice, and her staff.

I chose to send my son to George Washington, not because we were without other options, but because I wholeheartedly believe in supporting our community schools and placing my son in an environment where he will be challenged and engaged. He gets that, and more, from his teachers at George Washington.

I would like to echo what Jed said -- we need to stop using the word "cheating". This somehow implies the students were involved in a school-wide scheme, and we need to remember -- these are elementary school children, most of whom are incapable of such a plan. Some administrators and/or teachers chose to do something dishonest, THEY are the ones who "cheated" -- not just the system, but themselves, the taxpayers, and more importantly -- the children who attend George Washington Elementary.

Please don't let the actions of a few sour you on this school, or the Baltimore City Public Schools. This type of incident could happen anywhere. Instead, we should be focusing on how we can make our city's schools better, and how we can set higher standards for our children.

This is just another point against the left-wing "we need more money for schools!" platform. We can't just agree to taxes (or slots) for "education" every time a Dem stands up and whines. In all fairness, Bush's No Child Left Behind certainly isn't helping, nor are standardized tests (which are probably supported from both sides of the aisle).

At this point we may as well throw $100 bills off the Bay Bridge and expect better educational results than just forking it over to City schools without accountability. If you think every other school in BCPS isn't doing the same thing as GeoWash, you should probably give reality a little visit.

The hero in this story is Ms. Hardy who stuck with her concerns and forced a reaction from the system. Her story also tells of the perils parents face when they stand up for the children.

Someone should detail what happened to her in her efforts to bring this story to light.

Cheating is widespread on this test and not just in the city or have we all forgotten about the Carrol County scandal a few years ago? Nobody wants their school to be taken over by the state. Nobody wants to be on a watch list and honestly this is only going to get worse as we draw closer to 2014, when all schools are expected to have 100% pass rates.

It's notable that both the head of the Administrators union and head of the teachers union declined to say directly - If a principal or teacher DID particpate in cheating, that would be an egregious offense to the profession. While they could still be defensive and push for clear evidence of wrongdoing - it would be great for them to stand up for the highest standards for behavior of educators. Does Gittings mean that even if the principal was repsonsible, revocation of the license was too harsh? My childrens adminstrators and teachers are exemplary. They should hear the union leadership stand strongly for integrity and suppport consequences when it's violated.

It's always been known for an IST to circle a room and tell a student to erase a wrong answer on a test sheet. That same IST goes over tests after they are completed and have students come back on makeup day to make corrections. The IST does not make the actual corrections, but she will let the student know what answers need to be corrected. This has been going on during MSAs at my kids school for years, and our school is listed as one of the top schools in the city. Our attendance rate is so great but we have a kid that comes to school at the beginning of the year, during MSA, and at the end of the year. We don't give late passes. When we don't have unannounced visits from our CEO, cheating, and other violations will occur. When proper monitoring is not in place, anything will happen. You can't be out front only when the lights are flashing, your presence must be felt behind the scenes as well.

Are there any clear-cut rules for what is considered cheating? Teachers at certain Baltimore City high schools are not allowed to assign a quarter grade lower than a 50. That means that a student can cut the entire school year and still end up with a 50 in each class. It is technically possible for a student to ace a final or midterm and pass a class that the student had attended just ONCE. There's a thin line between cheating and working creatively within perceived rules.

As a parent of a student of GW, it is so terrible that previous adminstrators or teachers were involved. BUT as a new page is turned I must say TREMENDOUS changes have been made at this school within this last year. Ms Amanda Rice has brought discipline and structure that was lacking. This "cheating" is the past. The new principle hasn't completed her first year yet. Let's talk about how one of our students a young lady is the chess champion this year. Or how we just constructed a new blacktop and playground. We are a uniform school this year, we have cheerleaders and a basketball team an afterschool program. A FULL afterschool program. Our students line up on the black top every morning and start the day with an affirmation. We need to move foward and talk about the good and see when THIS years testing results come in the improvement made. Thank you Miss Amanda! And all of the teachers and parents doing the right thing at GWES.

Who done it mystery?
Martin O'Malley.
Why?
He took my tax paying dollars and walked away preaching Education is our first priority.
He took my tax paying dollars and walked away to the govern's mansion, carrying his bag of lies with him.
He endorsed Sheila Dixon as the ONE.

Martin O'Malley is no better than these teachers/parents/principle/clergy/etc.

He, and he alone has screwed these kids into believing in everyone but themselves.

Oh what a surprise(NOT), flags were raised long before a parent went to the media. Parents and staff have gone to Board meetings and expressed their concerns on this issue and others but instead of giving them the opportunity to speak and put the facts as they know it on the table, the Board in most cases will stop the speaker (because we don't name names) and refer them to speak outside with someone else who in turn does what? Good question because you never hear anything about it. I personally was going to write about the other reading score news that came out recently because as a parent and someone who has worked with students I was curious how this could be when our students still can't read but we are in the rating with other low income cities. What exactly was this to mean? That other children in low income areas are below us but we are not that good but be happy? This to me was nothing to be proud of because before we start cheering we must investigate how these numbers are tabulated, who is keeping accurate track and if a red flag comes up and the issues brought to the CEO and others how then is it handled. As I stated before this is not a new thing. And if you think that by constantly closing schools, firing good teachers and good principals, giving tests but not teaching....then our children will continue to always get the short end of the stick. Parents should have raised their voices higher when the passing grade was downsized back to 60, that in itself should have worried all of us as it did me. My children as well as their teachers have always known what I expect of my child's grade and knew that if it was anywhere close to being a 60 then me, the teacher, my child and the principal are in a meeting. For us to sit back and continue to allow this type of behavior and acceptance to continue in our city schools makes all of us (those who have not been out there fighting) responsible for the wrong things that continue to happen. My children go to school to be taught how to read, write, spell etc. then as a parent it is my job to continue the learning at home. But when a teacher does not give homework on a daily basis and then that classes tests scores raises above average in such a short time, then someone should be asking questions.Maybe if the CEO had done what he told so many parents when he came here--that he would go into schools unannounced to see what was really going on. Of course this never happened, so when the CEO or his staff notifies schools so that they can show their good side then I see a cheating CEO. Too many times I have spoken out about what is not happening in schools and have been pretty good this school year, but this travesty was going on before this CEO, since this CEO and will continue after this CEO because no one in the system really cares about what it means for No Child to be Left Behind. Instead of teaching so that our children are not left behind, we must get back to teaching the children and not just testing the children because we prep them for what the test will have but our children are still reading below grade average and we as parents, teachers and staff must start saying something and being persistent in what it is we want our children to get when they enter these schools. Until everyone is on the same page we will continue to hear more from other schools, because GWES is not the only school that has done this and until the Board accepts that and not try to sugarcoat everything it hears, then this will not stop. Remember prisons are being built as fast as our schools are closing, what does that say about this school system?

At least your cheating scandel is mild compared with Atlanta Public Schools where the Superintendent makes as much as our country's vice president. Atlanta leads the state in cheating on the state's CRCT tests. The superintendent spent tax payers money to dispprove the state testing office wrong. She assumes no responsiblity and essentially told the state governor's office he is lying. I personally know of educators who know of cheating but the superintendent tells everyone erasures are not proof of cheating and she will not step down nor will her rubber stamp school board step down.....its a hot mess in hot Atlanta for grown people to lie and cheat kids...

Monitoring is needed at all times in all schools. For the past 2 years my child has noted that the principal administered and helped him with the MSA. Isn't it strange for an administrator to give a exam which will ultimatley be used to grade his ability to run a successful school. I thought that it was a violation for administrators to handle MSA materials. Something really needs to be done. My child is confused because he said that it felt wrong and at his other school he remembers the principal telling the students that she was not able to see the test because it was a violation to her repsonsibility of being a pricipal, but had faith that all of the students would do well on the test. Maybe a different breed of administrators are needed..... Perhaps principals who truly believe int he ability of the teachers and students in their building!

The princpal has denied the allegation ans so has her staff. Therefore, either the erasure marks were made by the students or they were made by someone (with a political agenda) outside the building at the City or State Department of Education. What better way is there for someone (who presumes that ghetto children cannot possibly be smart enough to review and change their answers) to inflame for a state takeover of the Baltimore City Public School System; and to make such a scandal a centerpiece of the upcoming elections. Those who lack vision often rely on an emotionally inflame public to achieve their evil ends.

Holding the principal responsible sounds good but who did it? The article didn't say there was any corroborating evidence to point to her and she denys it. The tests are required to be secured in a locked room and can be left there for up to a week!? If someone wants to break into a locked room at public school, I'd think that there a lot of people out there who could pull that off fairly easily. If, as Alonso says, the scores didn't need any altering to pass muster, what's up with the "precipitous drop" in the scores of the kids when they go off to middle school. This story left me with lots of unanswered questions. I think the Sun should dig a little deeper. It's not just the principal who has a lot riding on these scores, it's everyone at the school, and the administration. The prinicipal may be a convenient scapegoat, particularly for the administrators charged with giving out these tests. Shouldn't the adminstrators pick up these tests on the day they are taken to prevent this very thing? Why was the parent suspicious in the first place?

I think that we do need to dig a little deeper. At most schools the principal is not assigned to test security. From what I understand the pricipal and the IST were the only ones that had a key to the room. Why are we just looking at Burgess when she may not be just the only one involved. At the end of the day more heads will roll and should.

It is sad that one test measures the success of a school. Anyone who understands statistics can look at the
scores across the state and spot schools where red flags should go up. When the majority of the passing scores are in the advance range, there is a problem. If we had a fair test that measured honest growth of children from one year to the next I imagine much of the temptation to cheat
would be removed.

Concerned Parent--you state that your child has told you this for 2 years. What have your done before now to let anyone know that this was going on because if my children had even hinted that this was happening in their schools I would have already been making an appointment to speak one on one with AAA and if he either ignored my concern or did nothing and it continued to happen then just like the parent at GWES it would have been put out their for everyone to know about. We cannot continue to put up with the wrong things happening in our schools and not do anything about it. As I stated earlier, GWES was not the only school, just the only parent who came out and spoke against it. If you fall for anythng then you stand for nothing.

@ calamity - sometimes I think there is such a climate of fear that parents might be afraid to come forward. They don't know whom they can trust, and they're afraid it might not be good for their child if word gets back to the principal. A lot of them probably also think the battle is not worth the effort, since "Family and Community Engagement" under this administration is mostly the same old smokescreen. The whole system is one big CYA scheme, starting with O'Malley and Grasmick on down. Besides, most parents know the MSAs are bogus anyway. If they like the principal and the teachers, they probably think a little cheating is fine if it takes the heat off the school.

@parent of 2--all that is fine and dandy but in the long wrong our children are continuing to fail and we as parents are supposed to teach our children right from wrong;instead, we except and tell our children that this behavior is okay because we do not want someone to be mad at us? C'mon. Be mad at me because I question testing that is clearly questionable? Sorry, but I am not a passive parent that just takes was the system says and is okay with it when I know in my heart that it is wrong and not in the best interest of my child or anyone elses child. We are talking about our children's future and to say to them that its okay to cheat, it just baffles me with that kind of mindset from parents. As for your comment about the office of Family and Community Engagement--please do not get me started with them. In the past two years since the changing of the guard there has been no real help to parents, half the schools do not even know who their Specialist is because they were not visible during the majority of the school year and nothing about events for parents makes its way to parents in a reasonable amount of time in the way that it is supposed to be and is only heard of by word of mouth. Which is why we as parents cannot wait until the System tells us what to do and how to do it when it comes to being involved. We must be proactive and go into schools and ask questions concerning our right to know. WE are the stakeholders not just companies as most parents think is the case. If you don't know, then ask, there are plenty of parents in schools who know and understand what their rights are and go to meetings and ask all the right questions. We must fight for our children not with fists and but with knowledge.