By Joshua Benton Staff Writer Page 1A The Dallas and Fort Worth school districts are investigating dozens of their schools for possible cheating on the TAKS test. The schools were identified by a Dallas Morning News investigation that found suspect scores at nearly 400 schools statewide – schools where test scores swung unexpectedly from poor […]
By Joshua Benton Staff Writer Page 1A HOUSTON – Houston school officials will unleash an army of test monitors to make sure their teachers and principals aren’t helping students cheat on the TAKS test, the district’s superintendent said Thursday. The move is a response to a Dallas Morning News investigation that found strong evidence that […]
By Joshua Benton and Holly K. Hacker Staff Writers Page 1A Houston’s Wesley Elementary may be the most celebrated school in Texas. When George W. Bush, running for governor in 1994, wanted to declare education his No. 1 priority, he went to Wesley, where desperately poor students outscored children in the wealthiest suburbs. When Oprah […]
By Joshua Benton Staff Writer Page 2A The fact there might be cheating at Wesley Elementary is not news to Houston officials. In June 2003, former Wesley teacher Donna Garner stood before a meeting of the Houston school board and directly accused officials of cheating at Wesley. “I was instructed on how to cheat and […]
By Joshua Benton Staff Writer Page 1B A significant number of longtime Wilmer-Hutchins school district employees have been receiving payments they shouldn’t, according to district officials. James Damm, the district’s interim superintendent, said he is moving to find out whose paychecks are larger than they should be and to ensure that the excess payments stop […]
By Joshua Benton Staff Writer Page 1A Last of two parts Education researchers are clear: The vast majority of teachers are honest people and wouldn’t think of doctoring their students’ results on a standardized test. But unfortunately, “the vast majority” doesn’t include everybody. In a high-pressure, high-stakes environment, some teachers are going to cross an […]
By Joshua Benton and Holly K. Hacker Staff Writers Page 1A A Dallas Morning News data analysis has uncovered strong evidence of organized, educator-led cheating on the TAKS test in dozens of Texas schools – and suspicious scores in hundreds more. The analysis found a poor urban school where third- and fifth-graders are among the […]
By Joshua Benton Staff Writer Page 1B The Wilmer-Hutchins district will be three schools smaller when classes start again next month. The district’s school board voted, 5-2, Monday night to close Hutchins Elementary, A.L. Morney Learning Center and the performing arts magnet high school. It also voted to eliminate the district’s Police Department and fire […]
By Joshua Benton Staff Writer Page 2B ARLINGTON – Jimmy Fisher was a 13-year-old kid when he heard Pantera’s buzz saw roar for the first time. “It was chaotic but soothing,” he said Saturday night, scanning the walls of an Arlington tattoo parlor for interesting designs. “I got hooked for life.” So when former Pantera […]
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By Joshua Benton Staff Writer Page 1B Wilmer-Hutchins officials plan to shut down three of the district’s eight schools as part of an attempt to cut costs and move the district out of its financial emergency. “In good times, I’m not sure I could support these schools,” interim Superintendent James Damm said at Monday’s board […]