Students in Illinois saw a boost in test scores because their principal gave them a sneak peek at the Prairie State standardized test before it was administered. In other words, he helped them cheat - but he's being suspended with pay:
The scandal started last April, when students were about to take the Prairie State standardized exam. Students were given what they thought was a practice test to prepare for the real thing. But on test day, many students realized that the practice test was the real test.
Illinois state education officials say opening the standardized tests early is a violation of policy, and began an investigation of principal Mark Keller and guidance counselor Carey Knox...
NewsChannel 5's Cordell Whitlock attended the North Greene School Board meeting Wednesday night, and asked the board members about the decision to pay the principal during his suspension. Their response: you'll have to talk with the school's attorney. The superintendent also refused to comment on the situation.
Several students at the board meeting did talk to Cordell. One said he found it ironic that the student athletes at the school are always reminded, "cheaters never win."
Oh, but cheaters who are protected by the NEA do get paid.
Update: Devoted Reader Michael has slapped my knuckles with a ruler and told me to knock off the knee-jerk anti-unionism. I won't stop picking at teachers' unions, because I don't agree with them, but in this case my NEA comment was not only tacky but wrong. Michael says that principals are generally not union members.
Ow. Those rulers hurt.
Posted by kswygert at August 28, 2003 11:38 AM