SAT 9 Scores: Birmingham, Alabama's version of cheating

[Anne Nonniemouse <ShopMathEdu@AOL.COM>]

Dear FairTest list folks:
At this afternoon's Birmingham City Schools Board of Education meeting,
Virginia Volker, one of two progressive educational reformers on the BOE,
raised a very imporant issue which I thought would be of interest to the
readers of this list.  I hope this is an issue which Fair Test will back us
up on.

I am posting her statement verbatim:

" A great tragedy in our school system has been brought to my attention.
It appears that significant numbers of High School students from several city
high schools having low grades and poor attendance records were withdrawn,
from school in early spring, specifically to prevent them from taking the
SAT-9 test, and thereby preventing lowering the school's scores.

These students were withdrawn, and the reason given on their form stated
"lack of interest."  Additionally, and more disturbingly, many of those
students were told by school administration they could return to the August
2000 school term -- with no offer of tutoring to assist them academically.

This is cruel, unethical and not in keeping with our policy of educating all
students to the best of their ability.

I am asking for:
1.   A documentation of the facts to determine the extent of this situation.
      Facts needed:
     a.     a list (not by names) of all students by high school who were
involuntarily or voluntarily withdrawn, expelled or otherwise removed from
school January to May, 2000, along with a record of their last known SAT-9
scores.
     b.     A list (not by names) of all entering 9th grade students who are
reading below grade level.

2.     An explanation of the issues and a report to the board, meeting on
July 18th.

3.     A consultation with State School Board and other appropriate persons
to craft a program to address these students' needs and identify funds for
the program.

4.     A program put in place beginning August 2000 to address the needs of
those students withdrawn in Spring 2000 and a preventative program for
remaining students reading below their grade level and at-risk of academic
problems.

5.     A school board policy to be passed that will prevent reoccurrence of
the situation.

Virginia Volker, June 12, 2000"

=========end of Virginia Volker's statement======

And, so what do you think that the Board's reaction was?  They immediately
adjourned the meeting and walked out.

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