Review of aasa’s Statement of Ethics and the article entitled: "100 Atlanta School Employees Implicated in Test Cheating Scandal"
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Lauren Hurley EDAD 520-Summer 2012 Ethical Platform Review of AASA’s Statement of Ethics and the article entitled: “100 Atlanta School Employees Implicated in Test Cheating Scandal” Kristina Torres, author of the article, “100 Atlanta School Employees Implicated in Test Cheating Scandal,” states that according to Gary Price, chairman of a special investigative committee, as many as 100 employees at 12 schools in the Atlantic Public School System have violated testing protocols. Both the school system and the superintendent, Beverly Hall, have received many accolades and awards based on the school systems major gains in closing the achievement gap. National officials lauded Atlanta elementary and middle school students for posting double digit gains on standardized tests. But the unusual gains sparked speculation and in December 2008, The Atlanta Journal Constitution published an analysis that showed improbable gains at schools, including some in Atlanta. In October the AJC published another investigation showing a dozen schools in Atlanta where students went from among the bottom performers statewide to among the best in the span of one year, which according to the AJC analysis, “The odds of making such gains were less than on in a billion.” Based on earlier findings, the investigation has been centered upon 12 schools due to red flags including, the number of erasures, inconsistent scoring and unusual grade increases. As I read this article, two points made a significant impression on me. First, Torres states, “The panel’s findings mean dozens of elementary and middle school student likely spent the school year without the extra help their real scores would have delivered.” This is an absolute shame. These tests, although considered extremely burdensome to some school districts, do assist in targeting at-risk students in various content areas. We need to have data to drive our instruction, and falsifying test scores to meet state benchmarks is a disservice to the students. When one considers ethics, I like the quote by Arnold Horshak, “Winning is nice if you don't lose your integrity in the process.” The awards and the recognition for raising test scores are empty and meaningless because integrity was lost. That year of failing to meet the students’ needs based on their invalid test scores can never be recovered. There is no price to pay for that kind of violation of students’ academic rights. The second quote that that stood out to me was made by a parent Abby Martin which states, “Address the problem. Be transparent. Be committed. And then you can move on.” I find these words to be very motivating. Problems will arise when I am in an administrative role. Assuming I played no significant role in participating in substandard acts, I will be driven by core principles as stated by the parent to rectify the situation. I must address the problem, I must communicate our efforts to the shareholders, I must commit to solving the problem and then the school can move forward as a successful academic institution. I am hopeful that the Atlantic Public School System can recover from this unethical situation with a swing in the pendulum of integrity in the other direction. When I read the AASA’s Statement of Ethics, I ask myself that if in fact the Superintendent did encourage the teachers to falsify the standardized test scores, when did she lose her moral compass. When did seeking recognition for drastically improving a school district outweigh her duty and responsibility to maintain standards of exemplary professional conduct? As an administrator, I can foresee many opportunities that will arise on a daily basis that could request my integrity and ethical conduct to be in compromised. I have to believe that not only as a Catholic but as public servant, I will strive to make sure every decision is grounded in, ensuring the well-being of students, protecting the rights on individuals, obeying the law, following the board of education’s policies, pursuing appropriate measures, avoiding personal gain, and is conducted honorably. Personal Reflection "What is left when honor is lost?" –Publilius Syrus I find this quote to be very powerful. When a person acts in an unethical or dishonest manner to gain success, that success is garnered without merit, it’s undeserving and it void of moral value. As a Catholic, I find the power of examining the conscience to be a very powerful tool in decision making. I am confident that with the utilization of the IRLF process, combined with my faith-based approach to solving problems, I will act in a manner that exhibits exemplary professional conduct. When I finish a day’s work, I need to feel confident that my decisions were driven by four major principles: professional responsibility and competence, student learning and development, responsibility to the institution, and responsibility to society. Professional responsibility and competence requires that I perform my administrative duties and tasks with concerted effort, expertise and commitment. I need to seek to improve the effectiveness of the profession through research and continuing professional development. I am going to operate in a capacity of an instructional leader rather than just a manager of the building so I can plan for professional development opportunities for the staff that target their areas of needed growth. I want to facilitate an academic institution where all of the professionals are acting in a responsible and competent manner and they only way I can achieve that is if I have a strong visible work ethic myself. If the faculty can witness me striving to become better through various development opportunities, then I am hopeful we will create a culture where all of the staff is striving to be the best that they can be. Student learning and development are the core foundations of all academic institutions. Making sure the well-being of students is the fundamental value of all decision-making and actions is essential as a school administrator. When I work through the IRLF process, I need to reflect on whether the decision I am considering, acts in a manner that raises student achievement, and doesn’t hinder student growth. When I am observing teachers and providing feedback, I will make sure that my focus is on raising student achievement and how I can best meet the needs of the teacher to ensure students are thriving. When I am performing evaluations, I will make sure that I am acting in a fair and ethical manner, but I will also document specific examples of how each staff member works toward raises student achievement. And when I am handling disciplinary actions with students, I will need to act in a manner that is conducive to their development as productive members of society. In regards to responsibility to the institution and responsibility to society, both of these principles will encompass the AASA’s Statement of Ethics regarding, supporting due process, protecting individual rights, obeying laws, avoiding using the position for personal gains and honoring contracts. When I have the privilege and the honor of being an administrator, I must be committed and dedicated to the school and the district. I must follow the school board contract when making decisions and I must act in the best interest of the school at all times. I must perform duties lawfully and honorably. I must remember that I am committed to the society to prepare children to think critically about the world around them, be contributing members to their communities and be morally right and just. Every day, I have to be cognizant of the fact that I am a servant to the society. I am providing a service to the citizens and I can’t take that responsibility lightly. In summary, I believe that if I base my decisions on the four guiding principles of my ethical platform: professional responsibility and competence, student learning and development, responsibility to the institution, and responsibility to society, I will be prompted to conduct my behavior in alignment with the AASA’s standards of ethics. I will post these standards of ethics in my office, and I will read them on a continually basis to help guide my frame of mind. 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