I was under the impression Darien ranks in the top third of the state with regard to academic excellence, but looking at the rankings that isn't true. Wilton is usually on top, followed by schools north of Fairfield County.
As a teacher in a Catholic school, we have a 2 strike policy on cheating. The first time a student is caught, they are given an automatic "F" The second time, they are sent to find another school. My colleagues at other schools say many teachers simply "look the other way" when they notice cheating. The reason is that lower grades reflect on the teacher's ability to teach. Parents complain, and the Administration caves in. Others claim, as in Stamford Public schools, if they penalized every "cheater" they would have to penalize the entire school. So, the Administration has a part too. It is politics, aka, who knows who. It seems politics are everywhere they shouldn't be.
It is a sad commentary on education when I read this. This type of cheating now is not limited to the old "crib sheets" It is blatantly getting the tests in advance, using another students (from past years) typed reports, and even having others take the tests for them. With the faculty aware? Yes.
I have heard,in the case of standardized tests, students can "buy" another student to take his/her test and student IDs are altered. I have to wonder why a student from Greenwich drives to Ridgefield to take the ACT when it is given in Greenwich on the same day and time. They don't. They have a friend drive up there where no one knows them and it is a done deal.
Are we raising a generation who is lazy and dishonest?
R. K.
Please Also See:
10/13/08 Todays Darien Mystery Blogger: The Descerning Darien Dig
Please send your comments to DarienRoundup@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment