tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post1206548063711016095..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: DeKalb DA opens investigation of CRCT scoresCerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-37483114813426305042009-07-18T13:51:51.376-04:002009-07-18T13:51:51.376-04:00New - from today's AJC -
In contrast to Fulto...New - from today's AJC -<br /><br /><i>In contrast to Fulton and Atlanta, the DeKalb school district denied the AJC’s request for the personnel files of former Atherton Principal James Berry and Assistant Principal Doretha Alexander, saying they are exempt under the state Open Records Act because they are part of an investigation. The newspaper plans to ask Georgia’s Attorney General to take action on the denial.<br /><br />State law is clear such files are open to public inspection, said Tom Clyde, an attorney for the AJC. “That does not change when a public employee is being investigated,” he said. “That would defeat the purpose of the law, which is to let the public decide for itself if employees have been carrying out their responsibilities in a suitable way.”<br /><br />The standards commission is investigating both Berry, who resigned, and Alexander, who the district reassigned.</i><br /><br /><a href="http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/principals-bear-weight-of-94542.html" rel="nofollow">Principals Bear Weight of Test Scores</a>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-32807993065901524352009-06-24T21:55:54.465-04:002009-06-24T21:55:54.465-04:00Welcome! Send anybody here who has a comment to m...Welcome! Send anybody here who has a comment to make - as long as it's truthful...<br /><br />Here's a quote from the AJC article -<br /><br /><i>In an interview late Wednesday, Lewis said he stands by his decision to send out the memo.<br /><br />“These people are devastated,” he said. “They do have families. They do have children.”<br /><br />He said the two, both 20-plus-year employees, have been “annihilated” by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in its recent coverage of the investigation and their arrests.<br /><br />“They’re not rapists. They’re not murderers,” the superintendent said.</i><br /><br />===============<br /><br />Boy, I just don't know what to say. Dr Lewis is not a preacher - he's a school administrator. Those children were cheated. The parents were cheated. Everyone was led to believe that Atherton school was doing a bang-up job - and little did they know that the children were actually failing! How can anyone do that with a clear conscious - just to save your own $$$$ salary?!! Right off the backs of those kids. But does Dr Lewis admonish these people for cheating these kids? NO - he too is apparently more concerned with the adults making a high income than actually and honestly delivering the goods...Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-20325501888628111772009-06-24T21:42:54.913-04:002009-06-24T21:42:54.913-04:00I hope that the AJC will keep digging deeper. The ...I hope that the AJC will keep digging deeper. The AJC has let so many things fall through the cracks for way to long.<br /><br /> What CLew did today is total not called for. If I did something like that or any other DCSS employee did that you know that I would have been fired. I am disappointed and disgusted in the same breath. <br /><br />I don't know if CLew is getting a kick back from "Drumline" but I do know that there are many that are. <br /><br />I hope that some DCSS employee will start a blog just like the Police did and show the really wrong things that they see in the system. <br /><br />Cere what you and all you guys are doing. Thank you so much.One Fed Up Insiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14523706925943880604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-24063136254860050532009-06-24T21:25:24.278-04:002009-06-24T21:25:24.278-04:00The AJC got the memo and wrote a story about it. ...The AJC got the memo and wrote a story about it. I guess it was only a matter of time- a few hours.<br /><br />This was really poor judgement. The DCSS received enough national negative publicity about the cheating and now this! <br /><br />Lewis should have distanced himself from these two who disgraced the teaching profession and instead he is asking all employees to "support" them. This is not good.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-64524156924392704762009-06-24T18:17:34.362-04:002009-06-24T18:17:34.362-04:00That might be the most bizarre intermemo I've ...That might be the most bizarre intermemo I've ever seen. Anon 5:56 is right -- I'm beginning to think Lewis has to go. Is Lewis getting a cut of Berry's Drumline royalities? You lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas.<br /><br />It is such an unnessacary gesture. The people in the system who know them and like them should gather around them as any friend would. The people in the system who don't know them should think long and hard about whether cheating is worth it and move on. And all the employees who are appalled that those two slandered DCSS should write them a card to say THAT!<br /><br />While I have my notecards out, think I'll jot a note to Bernie Madoff, too.No Duhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14462063673391668451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-5206577087920432572009-06-24T17:56:01.331-04:002009-06-24T17:56:01.331-04:00I am appalled at the message that C. Lewis sent to...I am appalled at the message that C. Lewis sent to all employees. While individuals might disagree about whether their conduct deserves criminal prosecution, they are professionals, both held supervisory positions and must be held to a higher standard. <br /><br />It is wholly inappropriate for the Superintendent of schools to publicly express sorrow or concern for them or their plight. (yes, this message is a public document). It could easily be misconstruded as excusing their fraudulent conduct. This type of paternalistic attitude is exactly why many feel that Lewis is no longer capable of leading this school system out of the financial, ethical and academic hole it has created for itself. I think I have to agree.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-66603605574912654152009-06-24T17:49:34.080-04:002009-06-24T17:49:34.080-04:00A more prompt, kind and gracious response than whe...A more prompt, kind and gracious response than when the system experienced a child's suicide. How sad.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-89159235309234551742009-06-24T16:36:41.002-04:002009-06-24T16:36:41.002-04:00Is he serious? That is so outrageous. What a disap...Is he serious? That is so outrageous. What a disappointment. He has an opportunity to condemn their actions, yet instead coddles these two cheaters?Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-4200173398280288252009-06-24T15:38:23.239-04:002009-06-24T15:38:23.239-04:00from anon12.08
Uncle Crawford sent out this Hot F...from anon12.08<br /><br />Uncle Crawford sent out this Hot Flash to all DeKalb employees. Guess it shows what he thinks about cheating!<br /><br />====================<br />INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM<br />====================<br /><br />To: All DeKalb Employees<br />From: Dr. Crawford Lewis, Superintendent<br />Subject: Message From the Superintendent<br />Date: 24 June 2009<br /><br />As you know by now, Atherton Elementary School was recently implicated in the CRCT cheating scandal that has been a source of much publicity by the Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC). <br /><br />As Superintendent, I was both concerned and surprised that this investigation was elevated to the front page of Sunday’s AJC newspaper and warranted a probe by the District Attorney’s office. Dr. James Berry and Mrs. Doretha Alexander are good people who made a grave mistake. They both acknowledged their involvement and accepted their consequences. They have served the DeKalb School System with distinction for many years. It is important that you know that the school district was not consulted nor played any role in their recent arrests. While we do not condone their actions in any way, they should be allowed to move on with their lives. <br /><br />DeKalb County School System is a family, and during difficult times family should come together. As a family, I am asking the entire system to reach out to Dr. Berry and Mrs. Alexander and show your support. An e-mail, card or phone call will go a long way towards showing Dr. Berry and Mrs. Alexander that we still care about them. The DeKalb County School System is a great school district working together to ensure that all of our students are successful and prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st Century. <br /><br /><br />---------------<br />Distributed By<br />The DeKalb County Postmaster<br />CommunityNet<br />http://fc.dekalb.k12.ga.usAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-53799921851242252122009-06-23T15:49:16.795-04:002009-06-23T15:49:16.795-04:00For a paradigm shift, here's a post from DeKal...For a paradigm shift, here's a post from DeKalb Officers blog - <br /><br /><i>This is a joke right? People arrested for cheating on school test? What is Gwen Fleming thinking? <br /><br />Terrell Bolton has stolen thousands of dollars from the citizens of DeKalb County. He has falsified documents as it relates to his illegal comp time. He used seized vehicles for personal use against federal law. Bolton hired people and billed other cost centers besides the police department. He billed other cost centers for equipment. Terrell was not even in the state, but was visiting his family and was paid for it! Yet no indictments or arrest.<br /><br />The Recorders Court has between 90 and 120 MILLION dollars unaccounted for and no criminal investigation! <br /><br />This is just incomprehensible! The insane are running the asylum!</i><br /><br />They do have a point...Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-6369405563749185162009-06-23T08:29:42.012-04:002009-06-23T08:29:42.012-04:00In the bonus round we'll ask rising DCSS junio...In the bonus round we'll ask rising DCSS juniors and seniors to read the Georgia State Constitution and the United States Constitution. Then they will write a paper wherein they will explain, with constitutional reference, either why the feds should step in and take over or why the the states should maintain control without federal involvement. Extra points are awarded for addressing the constitutional support for federal funding. <br /><br />Follow-on required reading is "Operational Necessity" by Gwen Griffin.<br /><br />Have a nice summer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-58032525804714464912009-06-22T16:55:20.028-04:002009-06-22T16:55:20.028-04:00Anon 4:06.
Bing, bing -- on to the bonus round!
...Anon 4:06.<br /><br />Bing, bing -- on to the bonus round!<br /><br />You nailed it.<br /><br />If we had national standards, maybe the Feds wouldn't take $$ away when a school fails, but when its state tries to screw with the standards or cut rate, etc. At least that would be quantifiable and measurable.No Duhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14462063673391668451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-38519065342421452812009-06-22T16:06:28.016-04:002009-06-22T16:06:28.016-04:00Well what we have now is not working and it is har...Well what we have now is not working and it is hard to believe the feds will do worse. If they come up with a national curriculum it will at least add some intellectual integrity to the notion of a national test.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-76436086527449295552009-06-22T15:46:19.353-04:002009-06-22T15:46:19.353-04:00Yes, this is very real. The Obama administration ...Yes, this is very real. The Obama administration will be closing schools. No questions. They are starting with 5,000 and don't seem to have a limit.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-61364881668373204562009-06-22T12:45:42.930-04:002009-06-22T12:45:42.930-04:00It is about time the feds stepped up to the plate....It is about time the feds stepped up to the plate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-56160573481714704242009-06-21T18:44:53.323-04:002009-06-21T18:44:53.323-04:00Here's a BIG possible repercussion from consis...Here's a BIG possible repercussion from consistently not making AYP -- some of our schools COULD become one of Obama's "turnaround" schools - meaning - the school can be shut down by the federal government- every teacher and employee fired - and replaced with a charter school of the feds choosing.<br /><br />This has been happening in Chicago (Arne Duncans hometown) - in fact creating one of the military schools from a closed public school. It's serious folks - we better fix our poorest performing schools or face Obamas cuts and replacements.<br /><br />===============<br /><br />Now - black teachers in Chicago have banded together to sue the Obama administration - <br /><br />"Chicago Teachers File Racial Discrimination Suit Against Obama Administration's School “Turnaround” Plan<br /><br />by BAR managing editor Bruce A. Dixon<br /><br />"The fired teachers are disproportionately African American, and the newly hired teachers are not.”"<br /><br /><a rel="nofollow">http://schoolsmatter.blogspot.com/2009/06/black-agenda-report-obama.html</a>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-12874627943593934512009-06-21T17:27:36.980-04:002009-06-21T17:27:36.980-04:00The AP was moved to another position but was still...The AP was moved to another position but was still on payroll!! I'm glad her butt is in jaal now!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-61589530261058076622009-06-21T08:20:45.073-04:002009-06-21T08:20:45.073-04:00In DeKalb's defense, we are the only school sy...In DeKalb's defense, we are the only school system of the 4 involved to have taken any action. I understand that Dr. Lewis was on his way over to fire Berry when he resigned. The AP, who apparently has not confessed, was removed from her position as the investigation continues. Atlanta and Fulton have done nothing and, in at least one case, the system is still defending the test scores!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-527507755163351452009-06-20T17:23:14.774-04:002009-06-20T17:23:14.774-04:00Maybe I've watched too much CSI, but won't...Maybe I've watched too much CSI, but won't Berry's fingerprints be all over those tests? And/or the APs prints, too?<br /><br />If they are, seems like a slamdunk to me. Maybe he can redeem himself by teaching fellow prisoners to read.<br /><br />Buh-bye.No Duhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14462063673391668451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-13306379173929927462009-06-19T15:49:40.671-04:002009-06-19T15:49:40.671-04:00Don't forget that Dr. Berry and many others in...Don't forget that Dr. Berry and many others in DCSS including one school (I believe SWD) still live off the royalities of "DRUMLINE".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-16984229845149240232009-06-19T15:33:49.690-04:002009-06-19T15:33:49.690-04:00Nice apron on Dr. Berry...
How incredibly sad. ...Nice apron on Dr. Berry... <br /><br />How incredibly sad. He had it made in the shade - his six-figure salary as a DCSS principal was not in jeopardy whatsoever... now, he'll be lucky to run the fry station at Mickey D's --Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-51071854397396809112009-06-19T14:20:52.868-04:002009-06-19T14:20:52.868-04:00Apparently Dr. Lewis et all really believed that t...Apparently Dr. Lewis et all really believed that those students at Atherton had created a miracle. Dr. Berry gave a presentation to principals about he had accomplished the huge gains last year. (Of course, he left out the part about cheating.)themommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01829171693817032539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-40959485199239164192009-06-19T12:57:39.665-04:002009-06-19T12:57:39.665-04:00http://championnewspaper.com/Atherton.html
Superin...http://championnewspaper.com/Atherton.html<br />Superintendent Crawford Lewis conducted his own investigation and determined there was no evidence of wrongdoing – though he didn’t have access to the test sheets, which were already in the state’s possession, district spokesman Dale Davis said.<br /><br />---<br /><br />Nice investigation, Ron Ramsey and Crawford Lewis. There is a statistically impossible increase in test scores, and Ron and his Internal Affairs staff can't find anything wrong? What a joke.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-62874668912721900992009-06-19T12:48:13.449-04:002009-06-19T12:48:13.449-04:00"I would be surprised if the DeKalb DA finds ..."I would be surprised if the DeKalb DA finds any other schools because the agency that watches over these things, GOSA, is pretty good at catching the anomalies."<br /><br />Anon 11:53, I respectfully disagree with this statement. The only reason GOSA investigated these schools is because of the ridiculous swings in test scores. They were all "bad" cheaters. Schools that may have fudged the numbers with less impact will almost always escape detection.<br /><br />I commend the DA's office for swift action which I presume was supported by DCSS.<br /><br />Now let's focus on high school kids who are cheating with cell phones and PDAs. This is very unfair to the students who do not cheat. DCSS needs to begin the school year with a strong statement on academic honesty, support the teachers who enforce the rules and REQUIRE principals and area superintendents to back the teachers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-69455243340410142652009-06-19T12:44:17.234-04:002009-06-19T12:44:17.234-04:00I'll have to find the article with his quotes,...I'll have to find the article with his quotes, but remember that Crawford Lewis was angry and indignant that anyone would question the test score increase in the first place.<br /><br />"DeKalb school officials are investigating because of the AJC’s questions, spokesman Dale Davis said."<br /><br />DCSS Central Office did not investigate this until the AJC brought it to them! They had to know something was crazy amiss, but they closed their eyes and prayed it would go away.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com