Atlanta Educators given up to 20 years for cheating?!?! What?

[code_pirahna]

Did they have to go to prison for 20 years yes or no?

Family....we will not agree on this issue..because I m simply going to keep hitting you with:

Why was 20 years even in the table?

Were in a chicken and egg discussion right now.....
I m just trying to get more people to focus on the REAL criminals in this whole thing...cause they are the ones causing the real problems

 

[largebillsonlyplease]

You are justifying wrong with wrong should Michael Slager get off because Darren Wilson did?

So it's cool to defraud black children out an education because the bankers got away?

They should have got life for the collapse, everyone knows that but how does that make defrauding those kids right?

The larger point is that those kids are STILL being defrauded right now based on the fact that the policy that gives those bullshit tests the weight they have to create the environment for this shit to happen in the first place is NOT under questioning and review.


This is the same shit as usual

The people are the problem not our perfect system.

Designed to clearly protect some and not the others

The kids aren't being protected here.
Not when these tests are still required

 

[IT IS WHAT IT IS]

While I totally agree with the fact that the system is corrupt, the theme of this thread is the context of these teachers and the choices they made. No doubt there is a problem, but they were offered a chance to avoid jail time and chose against it. End of story...

The simple fact that the system is corrupt further shows how dumb their refusal of probation was... why throw yourself at the mercy of such a System?

Question: All of you sermon-itis, brothers, in this situation, would you have accepted the deal, or went to trial understanding all the parameters?

 

[code_pirahna]

I deal with the kids at one of the main schools that was involved in this scandal.

All this nonsense you're saying and everyone else defending them makes jack _____ to these children who were already in a bad situation.

Teaching was something they signed up for, they cheated and were caught.

Fuck these niggas.

What solution do you propose to fix the issues with these children right now?

Get them out of No child left behind.....fund them based upon school size...stop funding prisons that make rich white racist corporations rich and fund schools....

The reason those kids are having issues is actually WAY MORE CALCULATED then what they want you to see.....

 

[code_pirahna]

The larger point is that those kids are STILL being defrauded right now based on the fact that the policy that gives those bullshit tests the weight they have to create the environment for this shit to happen in the first place is NOT under questioning and review.


This is the same shit as usual

The people are the problem not our perfect system.

Designed to clearly protect some and not the others

The kids aren't being protected here.
Not when these tests are still required

This

 

[FJP]

The larger point is that those kids are STILL being defrauded right now based on the fact that the policy that gives those bullshit tests the weight they have to create the environment for this shit to happen in the first place is NOT under questioning and review.


This is the same shit as usual

The people are the problem not our perfect system.

Designed to clearly protect some and not the others

The kids aren't being protected here.
Not when these tests are still required

In New York it is. The teachers and parents are opting out of the testing.

 

[IT IS WHAT IT IS]

Family....we will not agree on this issue..because I m simply going to keep hitting you with:

Why was 20 years even in the table?

Were in a chicken and egg discussion right now.....
I m just trying to get more people to focus on the REAL criminals in this whole thing...cause they are the ones causing the real problems

But it was and they knew it was. Again, on the table or not, they didn't have to walk through that 20 year door. If they'd not walked through that door, this whole debate would be a moot point. Do you murder, rob, steal, rape, etc? Probably not because thereally are repercussions. Sam thing applies here. They weren't miss informed and could have snatched the life out of the 20 years on the table but they chose not too...

Would you have taken the probation deal, knowing all the facts of what they were facing? Yes or no?

 

[largebillsonlyplease]

In New York it is. The teachers and parents are opting out of the testing.

It should be eradicated nation-wide

There should only be ACT and SAT to get into college and school's follow the guidelines to prepare the kids to get into college if we're going to say that college is the institutional standard

all of these personalized standard exit exams and stuff throughout all grades is bullshit.

I can even go for a test in 5th grade that has no purpose other than data study and isn't funded dependent to see where the kids are

and one your junior year of high school with no money being tied into success or failure rate to see where the kids are


And it would really make perfect sense that if the kids were failing the tests in a certain district or something they'd get MORE FUNDING because they need MORE HELP

but in this fucked up piece of shit place its the opposite

the kids are failing so fuck em they're losers cut their funding

 

[FJP]

The larger point is that those kids are STILL being defrauded right now based on the fact that the policy that gives those bullshit tests the weight they have to create the environment for this shit to happen in the first place is NOT under questioning and review.


This is the same shit as usual

The people are the problem not our perfect system.

Designed to clearly protect some and not the others

The kids aren't being protected here.
Not when these tests are still required

All true. But again. Were they wrong yes or no?

 

[largebillsonlyplease]

All true. But again. Were they wrong yes or no?

I never said they weren't wrong. I said the trumped up charges to distract from the fact that they're being punished for a system that created this environment in the first place is wrong.

but as usual, especially dealing with black people, they provide the conditions... SOME make the choice that is right there for them and then get punished severely like there was no reason for them to even consider doing what they did in the first place

Look at the face of black teachers in America now.. National coverage and grandstanding and TV airtime on morning shows, evening shows and night shows

I'm willing to bet that this is a HUMAN thing, like majority of conditioned environments, meaning if the light was shined elsewhere you'd have the same results

but it won't ever be.

 

[thismybgolname]

Get them out of No child left behind.....fund them based upon school size...stop funding prisons that make rich white racist corporations rich and fund schools....

The reason those kids are having issues is actually WAY MORE CALCULATED then what they want you to see.....

I'm all in, what is the first step that we need to do in order to make the things you proposed happen?

 

[ZuluSam]

Further, again, i have to remind some of you, these fucking exams dont determine whether a child passes or is detained.. Framing this as a scheme to push kids through is a trick of misdirection.

This statement is just not true for the period of time reflecting the crimes that were charged.

Also waived for this year is the requirement that third, fifth and eighth graders pass the Milestones, which in these grades replaces the Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT), in order to be promoted to the next grade level. Although the scores will not be used for promotion purposes this year, parents and students need to be aware that their test performance will be used to set achievement expectations for the following year.

http://www.fcboe.org/index.php?opti...t-scoring-parameters&catid=103:press-releases

I see what you're saying, but asking them to waive their right appeal was kind of a deal breaker.

^^This is why I believe they walked away from the deal. Maybe their attorneys advised them that there is possibly something better at a higher court.

It is standard that defendants waive appeal when taking a deal. Even though they were already convicted, the judge was offering them a way out.....he just wanted them to accept responsibility.

If their lawyers convinced them they would win on appeal, that was probably an injustice. Winning appeals in not common at all. When the best lawyers try cases, fewer mistakes are made so the chance is even less.

I believe the defendants got caught in the hype of it all, with people marching and protesting and figured that shit would save them. It didn't.

The judge may have been grandstanding but he gave more chances than any judge I can ever recall. Not many judges will agree that the charges are trumped up, then give advice on lenient pleas and then offer again prior to rendering sentences post conviction.

It's the reason why some of the 60 that took the pleas still have their jobs.

I have never, ever ever seen a judge give that many chances...in 25 years as a trial lawyer. Most of the time once that jury is brought in....all deals are off. He sent every warning he could.

Why is it that folks keep bringing up the plea deals as if that justifies this bullshit and shames the ones who were punished.....

So.basically the government could say "I will shoot you in the head for stealing this pen, but if you take this deal you can get off with community service." And folks.don t have shit to.say except....."Man yall better take that deal."

DA FUCK???????

Not even close to the same thing. Capital punishment is not in the range of punishment for stealing a pen. I know you don't mean this literally, but the fact is that a defendant is made abundantly aware of the POSSIBLE rang of the punishment they are facing. Not that they will get it, but it IS possible.

Family....we will not agree on this issue..because I m simply going to keep hitting you with:

Why was 20 years even in the table?

Enough with the 20 years already. It was on the table because that is the POSSIBLE range. If you have already agreed that the racketeering statute was designed for 'mob' type activities, then it was on the table because some 'mob' type activities deserve 20 years.

There are also crimes that fall within racketeering that don't deserve 20 years, that is why there is a minimum punishment as well, for example:

Probation was also on the table.

So instead of screaming about 20, talk about what they actually got:

* Donald Bullock:
Witnesses testified that Bullock urged them to change test answers, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Five years probation, six months of weekends behind bars, pay a $5,000 fine and perform 1,500 hours of community service.

* Angela Williamson, a former teacher:

2 years in prison. She was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and perform 1,500 hours of community service.

* Pamela Cleveland, a former teacher:

1 year home confinement, pay a $1,000 fine and perform 1,000 hours of community service. "I am guilty of the charges against me," Cleveland said in court.

* Michael Pitts, a former schools executive, was accused of telling teachers to cheat and then telling them not to talk to Georgia Bureau of Investigators who were looking into the scandal.

7 years in prison, perform 2,000 hours of community service and pay a $25,000 fine.

* Tamara Cotman, a former schools administrator:

7 years in prison, pay a $25,000 fine and perform 2000 hours of community service.

* Dana Evans, a former principal:

1 year and perform 1,000 hours of community service.

*Tabeeka Jordan, former assistant principal:

2 years in prison, perform 1,500 hours of community service and pay $5,000 fine

* Theresia Copeland, a former test coordinator:

1 year in prison, perform 1,000 hours of community service and pay a $1,000 fine.

* Diane Buckner-Webb, a former teacher:

1 year in prison, perform 1,000 hours of community service and pay a $1,000 fine.

 

[FJP]

I never said they weren't wrong. I said the trumped up charges to distract from the fact that they're being punished for a system that created this environment in the first place is wrong.

but as usual, especially dealing with black people, they provide the conditions... SOME make the choice that is right there for them and then get punished severely like there was no reason for them to even consider doing what they did in the first place

Look at the face of black teachers in America now.. National coverage and grandstanding and TV airtime on morning shows, evening shows and night shows

I'm willing to bet that this is a HUMAN thing, like majority of conditioned environments, meaning if the light was shined elsewhere you'd have the same results

but it won't ever be.

That first line says it all. My point is not that they are only ones wrong. It is that people are acting like they are not wrong because others are wrong as well.

 

[FJP]

This statement is just not true for the period of time reflecting the crimes that were charged.

Also waived for this year is the requirement that third, fifth and eighth graders pass the Milestones, which in these grades replaces the Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT), in order to be promoted to the next grade level. Although the scores will not be used for promotion purposes this year, parents and students need to be aware that their test performance will be used to set achievement expectations for the following year.

http://www.fcboe.org/index.php?opti...t-scoring-parameters&catid=103:press-releases





It is standard that defendants waive appeal when taking a deal. Even though they were already convicted, the judge was offering them a way out.....he just wanted them to accept responsibility.

If their lawyers convinced them they would win on appeal, that was probably an injustice. Winning appeals in not common at all. When the best lawyers try cases, fewer mistakes are made so the chance is even less.

I believe the defendants got caught in the hype of it all, with people marching and protesting and figured that shit would save them. It didn't.



I have never, ever ever seen a judge give that many chances...in 25 years as a trial lawyer. Most of the time once that jury is brought in....all deals are off. He sent every warning he could.



Not even close to the same thing. Capital punishment is not in the range of punishment for stealing a pen. I know you don't mean this literally, but the fact is that a defendant is made abundantly aware of the POSSIBLE rang of the punishment they are facing. Not that they will get it, but it IS possible.



Enough with the 20 years already. It was on the table because that is the POSSIBLE range. If you have already agreed that the racketeering statute was designed for 'mob' type activities, then it was on the table because some 'mob' type activities deserve 20 years.

There are also crimes that fall within racketeering that don't deserve 20 years, that is why there is a minimum punishment as well, for example:

Probation was also on the table.

So instead of screaming about 20, talk about what they actually got:

* Donald Bullock:
Witnesses testified that Bullock urged them to change test answers, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Five years probation, six months of weekends behind bars, pay a $5,000 fine and perform 1,500 hours of community service.

* Angela Williamson, a former teacher:

2 years in prison. She was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and perform 1,500 hours of community service.

* Pamela Cleveland, a former teacher:

1 year home confinement, pay a $1,000 fine and perform 1,000 hours of community service. "I am guilty of the charges against me," Cleveland said in court.

* Michael Pitts, a former schools executive, was accused of telling teachers to cheat and then telling them not to talk to Georgia Bureau of Investigators who were looking into the scandal.

7 years in prison, perform 2,000 hours of community service and pay a $25,000 fine.

* Tamara Cotman, a former schools administrator:

7 years in prison, pay a $25,000 fine and perform 2000 hours of community service.

* Dana Evans, a former principal:

1 year and perform 1,000 hours of community service.

*Tabeeka Jordan, former assistant principal:

2 years in prison, perform 1,500 hours of community service and pay $5,000 fine

* Theresia Copeland, a former test coordinator:

1 year in prison, perform 1,000 hours of community service and pay a $1,000 fine.

* Diane Buckner-Webb, a former teacher:

1 year in prison, perform 1,000 hours of community service and pay a $1,000 fine.

Preach

 

[largebillsonlyplease]

That first line says it all. My point is not that they are only ones wrong. It is that people are acting like they are not wrong because others are wrong as well.

Alright. That's not my argument. Mine has always been look at it all not just 1 thing. It's possible for all of these things to be true and it's possible to discuss all of them and not just focus on one thing without alleviating blame from one person or the other.

I'm always inclusion when discussing stuff like this. Let's include everything and not excuse anything.

 

[Amajorfucup]

This statement is just not true for the period of time reflecting the crimes that were charged.

Also waived for this year is the requirement that third, fifth and eighth graders pass the Milestones, which in these grades replaces the Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT), in order to be promoted to the next grade level. Although the scores will not be used for promotion purposes this year, parents and students need to be aware that their test performance will be used to set achievement expectations for the following year.

http://www.fcboe.org/index.php?opti...t-scoring-parameters&catid=103:press-releases

So you quote me, tell me im wrong, and then post an excerpt which confirms that i am right? And you muthafuckas wonder why i insult you.

If their lawyers convinced them they would win on appeal, that was probably an injustice. Winning appeals in not common at all. When the best lawyers try cases, fewer mistakes are made so the chance is even less.

So the injustice was the defense attorney allegedly advising them not to accept the deal and not the contrived narrative and overcharge huh? You people are sick man.

I have never, ever ever seen a judge give that many chances...in 25 years as a trial lawyer. Most of the time once that jury is brought in....all deals are off. He sent every warning he could.

And you have never seen a Rico charge applied to these facts either. Think the two are related?

Not even close to the same thing. Capital punishment is not in the range of punishment for stealing a pen. I know you don't mean this literally,

If you know it wasnt meant literally why are you responding in a literal frame? He's using an analogy to illustrate a point. The common theme being the over reach.

Enough with the 20 years already. It was on the table because that is the POSSIBLE range. If you have already agreed that the racketeering statute was designed for 'mob' type activities, then it was on the table because some 'mob' type activities deserve 20 years.

The fact that it was on the fucking table or even a possibility is fucking insane and nothing more than judicial theater. And kill the bullshit, there was NOTHING remotely, mob like in these scenarios. You just finished typing a post criticizing hyperbole and analogies and yet in the next paragraph have the audacity to call this shit "mob activity". Do you know what the fuck the mob is and does!? GTFOH!

So instead of screaming about 20, talk about what they actually got:

We are talking about what they got. Railroaded, scapegoated and overcharged. Pay attention.

 

[alexw]

In New York it is. The teachers and parents are opting out of the testing.

this is false

they are opting out of tests in white districts

in my district theyre threatening teachers who tell parents they have the right to opt out

check the democrat and chronicle

its the first story

 

[IT IS WHAT IT IS]

This statement is just not true for the period of time reflecting the crimes that were charged.

Also waived for this year is the requirement that third, fifth and eighth graders pass the Milestones, which in these grades replaces the Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT), in order to be promoted to the next grade level. Although the scores will not be used for promotion purposes this year, parents and students need to be aware that their test performance will be used to set achievement expectations for the following year.

http://www.fcboe.org/index.php?opti...t-scoring-parameters&catid=103:press-releases





It is standard that defendants waive appeal when taking a deal. Even though they were already convicted, the judge was offering them a way out.....he just wanted them to accept responsibility.

If their lawyers convinced them they would win on appeal, that was probably an injustice. Winning appeals in not common at all. When the best lawyers try cases, fewer mistakes are made so the chance is even less.

I believe the defendants got caught in the hype of it all, with people marching and protesting and figured that shit would save them. It didn't.



I have never, ever ever seen a judge give that many chances...in 25 years as a trial lawyer. Most of the time once that jury is brought in....all deals are off. He sent every warning he could.



Not even close to the same thing. Capital punishment is not in the range of punishment for stealing a pen. I know you don't mean this literally, but the fact is that a defendant is made abundantly aware of the POSSIBLE rang of the punishment they are facing. Not that they will get it, but it IS possible.



Enough with the 20 years already. It was on the table because that is the POSSIBLE range. If you have already agreed that the racketeering statute was designed for 'mob' type activities, then it was on the table because some 'mob' type activities deserve 20 years.

There are also crimes that fall within racketeering that don't deserve 20 years, that is why there is a minimum punishment as well, for example:

Probation was also on the table.

So instead of screaming about 20, talk about what they actually got:

* Donald Bullock:
Witnesses testified that Bullock urged them to change test answers, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Five years probation, six months of weekends behind bars, pay a $5,000 fine and perform 1,500 hours of community service.

* Angela Williamson, a former teacher:

2 years in prison. She was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and perform 1,500 hours of community service.

* Pamela Cleveland, a former teacher:

1 year home confinement, pay a $1,000 fine and perform 1,000 hours of community service. "I am guilty of the charges against me," Cleveland said in court.

* Michael Pitts, a former schools executive, was accused of telling teachers to cheat and then telling them not to talk to Georgia Bureau of Investigators who were looking into the scandal.

7 years in prison, perform 2,000 hours of community service and pay a $25,000 fine.

* Tamara Cotman, a former schools administrator:

7 years in prison, pay a $25,000 fine and perform 2000 hours of community service.

* Dana Evans, a former principal:

1 year and perform 1,000 hours of community service.

*Tabeeka Jordan, former assistant principal:

2 years in prison, perform 1,500 hours of community service and pay $5,000 fine

* Theresia Copeland, a former test coordinator:

1 year in prison, perform 1,000 hours of community service and pay a $1,000 fine.

* Diane Buckner-Webb, a former teacher:

1 year in prison, perform 1,000 hours of community service and pay a $1,000 fine.

Funny thing is, the brain dead fools will purposely avoid the meat of your post, THE FACTS, to pull out irrelevant shit to still act like bitches about.... case in point, look at what a certain whiney nonsense typing fool pulled from your post to comment on...

 

[peterlongshort]

So the injustice was the defense attorney allegedly advising them not to accept the deal and not the contrived narrative and overcharge huh? You people are sick man.

And you have never seen a Rico charge applied to these facts either. Think the two are related?

I think this is a point that is overlooked. While I cast no aspersions on the quality of the legal counsel the Defendants received, RICO was designed to take down Defendants with substantial resources, not poor people. There is only so much quality legal representation you can get on a teacher's salary.

The average RICO defense costs would likely cost you $75k just for the initial retainer, and we not even talking about hiring special investigators and experts to put on a decent defense. Drug lords have that type of money. Mob Bosses. Wall Street Bankers.

Teachers? Nope.

This was over before it started and someone should have tapped then on the shoulder and told them that.

 

[Amajorfucup]

this is false

they are opting out of tests in white districts

in my district theyre threatening teachers who tell parents they have the right to opt out

check the democrat and chronicle

its the first story

I think this is a point that is overlooked. While I cast no aspersions on the quality of the legal counsel the Defendants received, RICO was designed to take down Defendants with substantial resources, not poor people. There is only so much quality legal representation you can get on a teacher's salary.

The average RICO defense costs would likely cost you $75k just for the initial retainer, and we not even talking about hiring special investigators and experts to put on a decent defense. Drug lords have that type of money. Mob Bosses. Wall Street Bankers.

Teachers? Nope.

Yea, but fuck all this. They had a plea offer. Thats all that matters.

 

[peterlongshort]

Yea, but fuck all this. They had a plea offer. Thats all that matters.

I'll say this and I'll be done before I get myself into some trouble:

If you are in the Lion's Den, it's doesn't matter how you got there, doesn't matter if the Lion is a White Lion or a Black Lion, doesn't matter if the other Lion didn't eat the person down the street, YOU ARE IN SOME SHIT!!! If someone throws you a rope to get out of that shit, are you gonna argue or are you gonna take the rope? You gonna negotiate with the Lion so he don't eat you? No! Lion's don't negociate, THEY EAT MUTHAFUCKAS!! Don't be mad at the Lion because he went Lion on you ass, that's what he does!

This much I know, some of these teachers got some bad advice. While they were off in Jail their lawyer was out doing interviews on TV and cheesing it up. Hell, right wen the verdict went down one of then was retweeting shit on twitter, I. SHIT. YOU. NOT.


...I'm gonna stop right here...

 

[Amajorfucup]

I'll say this and I'll be done before I get myself into some trouble:

If you are in the Lion's Den, it's doesn't matter how you got there, doesn't matter if the Lion is a White Lion or a Black Lion, doesn't matter if the other Lion didn't eat the person down the street, YOU ARE IN SOME SHIT!!! If someone throws you a rope to get out of that shit, are you gonna argue or are you gonna take the rope? You gonna negotiate with the Lion so he don't eat you? No! Lion's don't negociate, THEY EAT MUTHAFUCKAS!! Don't be mad at the Lion because he went Lion on you ass, that's what he does!

I actually dont disagree with this sentiment. But i still wholeheartedly maintain every thing ive stated thus far.

This much I know, some of these teachers got some bad advice. While they were off in Jail their lawyer was out doing interviews on TV and cheesing it up. Hell, right wen the verdict went down one of then was retweeting shit on twitter, I. SHIT. YOU. NOT.


...I'm gonna stop right here...

 

[ZuluSam]

So you quote me, tell me im wrong, and then post an excerpt which confirms that i am right? And you muthafuckas wonder why i insult you.

You obviously didn't click the link or you don't read very well.

Starting in September of 2014, the test are not used to promote students.

Before that, they were.

The conduct for which the defendants were charged happened when students were promoted based on the test, i.e. before September 2014 which was only 8 months ago.

It is pretty simple for anyone who reads it. But maybe you were talking about after September 2014. If you were....why?

 

[Amajorfucup]

You obviously didn't click the link or you don't read very well.

Starting in September of 2014, the test are not used to promote students.

Before that, they were.

The conduct for which the defendants were charged happened when students were promoted based on the test, i.e. before September 2014 which was only 8 months ago.

It is pretty simple for anyone who reads it. But maybe you were talking about after September 2014. If you were....why?

No you simple bastard, i was giving you the chance to backtrack that shit but apparently research and reading isnt YOUR strong suit. Yet another halfcocked uninformed clown spewing forth misinformation.

The exams were never used as the determiner for retaining students. The only students subject to those measures were grades 3, 5, and 8 (previously in this thread i stated 3, 4, 5 from memory). Even if a student in that group failed, they were given a retest. If they failed the retest there was then a mandatory meeting between teachers, and adminstrators, and the scores along with grades, student ability, potential, home environment, and input from parties involved would be used as PART of the criteria to determine if the student is held back or not. Ultimately the decision was based on a "best interest" of the child discussion and largely dependent on whether the child was thought to be able to be successful if allowed to proceed to the next grade level. And the parents were allowed input in this process.

So again, the fucking test didnt decide shit. And they were only even considered for 3 grade levels and were then only part of the process if the child failed twice. And even then, wernt the determining factor on whether a child passed or failed. This determination was made by a meeting of teachers and administrators where a myriad of factors were weighed and used to assess what the childs abilities and chances of success if promoted.

Now amend that bullshit and atone nigga.

Edit: And also, no i didnt click your fucking link (your shit is flaw regardless). If you gonna interject and refute a point then fully articulate that shit in your post. I dont click no fucking links from you niggas.

 

[Complex]

So dudes are acting like because it's only a year or seven and not 20 it's ok

 

[BKF]

So dudes are acting like because it's only a year or seven and not 20 it's ok

There is a reason why the USA has the largest jail population by far. People are overcharged, unnecessarily charged, and thrown in prison. Everybody doesn't need to be charged, or thrown in prison for everything. It we are blaming the teachers for failure. Should we not blame the parents that allowed this to go own. Should they been sentenced as well.

 

[peterlongshort]

There is a reason why the USA has the largest jail population by far. People are overcharged, unnecessarily charged, and thrown in prison. Everybody doesn't need to be charged, or thrown in prison for everything. It we are blaming the teachers for failure. Should we not blame the parents that allowed this to go own. Should they been sentenced as well.

I think everyone is missing the point. This is an inside game. Baxter and Howard were playing good cop bad cop with these folk all along. The outcome was all but guaranteed by the time the indictment was brought. The only question was out of the thousands involved who was gonna take the fall. This is how it works.

Notice how Judge Baxter came out late last year as if he didn't think the prosecution had a case....

Notice how Judge Baxter told the Defendants to take the deal or it would be a harsh punishment...

Notice how Howard offered deals with minimum sentencing the day before AND LEAKED THE INFO TO THE AJC.

Notice how Judge Baxter rejected Howard's recommended sentencing and went ABOVE THAT for the top educators, only after saying in open court that he cursed Howard out for such a low rec.

This is a game people. Baxter is the devil to some but best believe those white folk love his ass for throwing the book at them niggas. He's eating good at the Country Club this weekend best believe. And Howard can wash his hands of the whole matter because, "Well, I recommended 2 and the Judge gave them 7"

Meanwhile, Baxter gave everyone enough time to negotiate a compromise once the cameras go away and no one gives a fuck anymore.

Ok, I'm really done now.

 

[melonpecan]

Why do some of you keep pretending that these exams are the cause of kids being unprepared or uneducated.

I never said the exams were the cause of this mess. They are a byproduct of a law that was designed to fail students.

That's the one. Damn near cried when I saw this.

The whole argument about excessive sentencing goes out the window when you are offered a chance to avoid it, told what would happen based on evidence if you went to trial, and you chose to anyway and get the book thrown at you.

I don't agree with the sentencing or the plea deals. I think any punishment that can be dealt should directly effect the kids mistreated so that they, (the educators), can do what they didn't do before. However, you are right - some of the sentences were excessive (there were levels) and when you have a lesser plea the ones before become moot. Yeah they guilty but they still stupid for not taking the deal.

I see what you're saying, but asking them to waive their right appeal was kind of a deal breaker.

^^This is why I believe they walked away from the deal. Maybe their attorneys advised them that there is possibly something better at a higher court.

I was thinking about that today. But that isn't a guarantee. These people will never be teachers again, you might as well take what causes the less harm at this point and turn your life around.

They aren't listening to you.

These kids were robbed by the people that were responsible for educating them.

THAT'S the sad part.

I think the "greed" part is a smoke screen.....when you have Mayors closing schools left and right all over cities.....these teachers are simply trying to get funding to keep their jobs

If they were white it would have never happened like this....esp the RICO bullshit.....

And you re right No Child Left Behind is the reason this is happening....but hey the more kids they have that can t function academically....the more potential future inmates they have.....and that is what they REALLY want

BINGO!

What's even more troubling is that some of the schools APS closed recently were 'rebranded' as a charter or sort of special subject school and reopened.

Seriously. Let me ask you this. So do you feel this was ok because of No Child Left behind. You say this as if they had absolutely no choice.

What should the punishment have been?

The NCLB Act is not ok. What these educators did is not ok. The Act simply justifies the action. And no choice? I sort of look at it as a robber: do I not steal this purse and go hungry, or take this bag left on this subway seat and eat to live for another three days? Some of these people probably thought if they didn't do what they did they would loose their jobs. With the accreditation situation in the Atlanta Metro area it might be hard to find another teaching position. Most don't have advanced degrees to supplementing your income by working as an online professor for some college or university is no help. These people KNEW if their students didn't perform they would be out of a job, the school would get shut down, and the kids transferred. They did wrong, not doubting that. There are factors that came before their actions and those that affect the kids after this that they did not consider. But that is what happens when your back is against the wall.


Personally, I think that everyone involved should be reassigned to personally tutor/mentor the kids they failed. Put up a night school or program designed to get these kids in college when they get rejected. Go to another school - don't teach, but HELP. You see the light, so guide others. Use your downfall to uplift and warn others not to repeat. Hell, anyone of these folks could write a book right now and tell their story...profits should go to an educational group within the community affected. Their true punishment should be seeing the kids (especially the higher ups) talk and attempt to write an essay. See how you did. And start to fix it.


And to think that next year the entrance exam for Georgia state schools will switch to a written essay format instead of a multiple choice question. If I can get my hands on some of these I promise you I will share excerpts to prove my point. These kids are not ready for life and no one factored that in.

It's a lot of faces on this issue and you can't talk about one without talking about another. The quicker we all understand that the sooner we can get to comparing other cases and finding the real discrepancies. But those who know...already know.

 

[samh32]

There is a reason why the USA has the largest jail population by far. People are overcharged, unnecessarily charged, and thrown in prison. Everybody doesn't need to be charged, or thrown in prison for everything. It we are blaming the teachers for failure. Should we not blame the parents that allowed this to go own. Should they been sentenced as well.

Well I think it was the concerned parents that brought this to the attention of the authorities. Go to the 1:20 sec mark. That one young lady is 15 years old and in the eight grade.

 

[BKF]

Well I think it was the concerned parents that brought this to the attention of the authorities. Go to the 1:20 sec mark. That one young lady is 15 years old and in the eight grade.

Two out of how many?
The point of my post is that the USA makes damn near everything a crime and the system is set up to send people to prison.

 

[Mr. Bizkits]

My perspective is what's the endgame or solution to all of this? Put new clean fresh apples into a crusty, filthy, and rotten barrel?

The new administraters/principals/teachers put in place are going to put into the same dilemma as those prior which is to cheat to keep the lights on. But make sure they do a better job of cheating instead.

Hey, someone has fucked in our broken educational system

 

[DM5]

 

[Lucky7s]

Lets talk about the real victims in the entire situation.Props to parents who felt something was wrong when their kids passed the test with flying colors, after failing several times. Also...RIP to former Atlanta school superintendent Beverly Hall she died of Cancer last month.

Wtf is wit u niggas and this sympathy for Bev Hall? That lousy bitch knew damned well this shit was going on for years and tried to play the race card as to why the newspaper investigators had uncovered the testing anomalies...meanwhile laughing her fat ass all the way to the bank at $340,000 a year plus the bonus based on faked test scores. Her right hand lady who ran the day to day academic affairs of the schools escaped with nary a scratch...google Kathy Augustine and weep.
Bev Hall figured she'd be dead as a doornail by the time they got around to her ass. and she was right. took the fall for her homegirl.

My perspective is what's the endgame or solution to all of this? Put new clean fresh apples into a crusty, filthy, and rotten barrel?

The endgame is to dismantle APS and usher in an all-charter school network of schools. The highest bidders will get the best buildings.

The state did the same shit in New Orleans after Katrina...it will probably work better in Atlanta though...

 

[big pimp]

They knew what they were facing and offered probation and fines.

They rolled the dice and were found guilty.

Those kids are lost forever.

^^^^^

 

[Non-StopJFK2TAB]

this is false

they are opting out of tests in white districts

in my district theyre threatening teachers who tell parents they have the right to opt out

check the democrat and chronicle

its the first story

good looking out.