Integrity

As commonly known, Baltimore City Public Schools suffered a massive cheating scandal on standardized testing scores in 2009.  Consequently, multiple principals were fired and a prolonged investigation of standardized test scores took place from 2008-2010.  The investigation took place from 2008-2010 because that was the period where it was most believed that the cheating took place.  During this time frame, Dr. Andres Alonso received $29,000 in 2008,2009 and 2010 for improved tests scores throughout the district.  Despite BTU and administrative union efforts and requests, and despite strong possibilities that school-based cheating frequently took place, Dr. Alonso will not forfeit this large sum of money that he earned in bonuses from improved standardized test scores.

Integrity and honesty are two of the most important characteristics that district leaders and school leaders must demonstrate.  It is true that Dr. Alonso has launched an extensive effort to minimize cheating throughout Baltimore City Public Schools, but the fact remains that he is the sole person who financially benefited from these inflated test scores.  Throughout the time frame of the investigation (2008-2010), Dr. Alonso earned approximately $90,000 in bonuses for improvement in standardized test scores.  If testing integrity is a true issue in public education, and specifically in Baltimore City Public Schools, shouldn’t Dr. Alonso lead by example and forfeit the money?

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-cheating-results-denial-20130413,0,7432871.story