If You Can't Beat 'em, Cheat.

James Watson is the principal of Washington Irving Middle School in Roslindale who allegedly distributed the MCAS to his school staff a day early. Why isn't this getting more media coverage?

This is the same principal who was told in 2005 by then state education commissioner David P. Driscoll to improve test results in his school. At that point, Washington Irving Middle School had suffered three consecutive years of poor MCAS scores. And this is the second incident involving the questioning of MCAS testing.

Unfortunately, but necessarily, Mr. Watson had to be the sacrificial lamb.

Apparently, his school isn't the only one that cheats. According to the Department of Education, in
2007: 20 teachers were involved in MCAS cheating, while 43 students shared answers or
used cheat-sheets
2006: 15 teachers and 19 students were caught cheating
2005: three teachers were involved.

Is the pattern not obvious enough?

Is no one disheartened by the fact that Gov. Deval Patrick is disappointed because the integrity of the MCAS is being questioned? Why isn't he concerned about the integrity of the teachers, and in this case, the principal? Isn't it understood that their actions make lasting impressions on their students? What values, or lack thereof, are being taught if cheating is condoned?

Boston school superintendent Carol Johnson said that "it isn't clear that they violated anything." Actually, it's quite clear. The school violated the students' potential at excelling. Simple. And isn't that a clear indication that they weren't all too confident in their teaching to test the students without cheating? Or did they honestly not feel their students to be competent enough? Either way, there are no excuses.

I can understand that the principal and the teachers just want the best for their students, that's not something I ever question. But this is not a case in which the ends justify the means. Whose best interest was Mr. Watson really serving? Whose face was he really saving? Would he really be able to place value on the scores?

And yet there's still questioning as to where to place blame.

tsk. tsk.

Peace.