Because they can
Here’s a story on one of the boys’ schools in Lubbock, Texas. Texas as remembered -- is home to 45 Gulen-inspired schools run by the Gulenites – a treasure trove for taxpayer funding.
Apparently there is an ongoing investigation involving alleged student grade changing by a recent-- and now former -- administrator who tampered with the grades for her own personal benefit.
So despite the fact the Lubbock new station KBCD announced the Texas Department of Education was involved in the investigation, the school claims that “no external or third-party investigation is taking place.” Which is it – can’t have it both ways?
We’re not clear if the TDE is referring to the Cosmos’ Foundation’s District office or the actual TDE office in Houston. Either way, it is clear that as many independent parties as needed should be involved in order to fully and unbiasedly investigate these very serious allegations and possible criminal activity.
But if it’s true that it is an “internal” investigation, how is that possible? This school, and like the other 35 Gulen –inspired Texas schools (and the other 120 throughout the US), are publicly funded, and accordingly -- have to abide by the Sunshine laws which require public access to school records, including Board Minutes (which should – but probably do not – have discussions on this issue).
And in their response, the boys kind of gloss over the fact that “One school administrator has resigned as a result of the ongoing investigation,” which is kind of a big deal considering it was in fact an “administrator” that resigned – a direct representative and reflection of the school’s leadership.
Likewise, if in fact it is true that the administrator was changing student grades on a whim and at her personal discretion, it is a dismal failure on the part of the administration to employ, monitor, and put their trust into an “administrator” with less than honorable values. We wonder if in fact the people at Cosmos and the Director at Harmony Lubbock ever bothered to check the references before hiring the cheater.
And in keeping with their “shoot the messenger theme,” the school states that the “Male individual featured in the news broadcast is not the parent of any of our students, and has not been a volunteer at our school since last summer."
The boys like to attempt to discredit any dissenters in a failed attempt to cover their own collective behinds, but in the end -- it always backfires.
For instance, if in fact it is true that the “male was not a parent of any of the students,” what exactly what was he doing there to begin with – why would a non parent decide to simply hang out at the school – to learn Turkish or eat baklava perhaps? Further, if the “non parent” was a volunteer was he required to undergo a background check to ensure the safety of the students?
And the last line is a winner – the school blabbering on about how – “The physical and emotional well-being of our students is our first and foremost priority.” If that’s true, then why was the cheating administrator hired and allowed to access and change student grades without any intervention from the Director? If the alleged incidents happened last summer, why at the end of October was action finally taken?
Frankly, we’re of the mind that when incidences like this happen that the Director should also be forced to resign, after all, it’s his responsibility to ultimately protect the staff and students from harm and if he fails to do so – he too needs to go —tea cup in hand.
As a postscript, let our website know where we can find the actual minutes of the Cosmos managed schools, they seem to be hiding out with the staff lists, which should be of great concern to the taxpayers, parents, and students.
What are they hiding and why?
One more postcript --- if it was that easy to change student grades -- wonder how easy it would be to tamper with state test scores -- just a thought...
By Natasha Sweatte of KCBD News
Published on October 30, 2012
LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) -
“A local charter school is under investigation after allegations surfaced that a school administrator unlawfully changed grades.
Officials with the Houston District office for Public Harmony Schools, head of the cluster of Texas charter schools, expressed they are actively working to get answers about the alleged grade changes. KCBD NewsChannel 11 is keeping the former administrator's name confidential, since the investigation is still pending and no charges have been filed. When we began our investigation, parents told us this former administrator was still employed at HAS, but parted ways last week. The district office said they are unable to confirm dates of when this investigation began or when this administrator ended her employment.
Public Harmony Schools Spokesperson Julie Shussler confirmed Monday the Harmony Science Academy administrator is no longer employed at the charter school.
"As a precautionary measure, we have taken additional steps to protect the integrity of the school's computer technology and grading system," Shussler said in a written statement.
KCBD NewsChannel 11 spoke with several parents who claimed they knew the former administrator changed grades to hurt some students academically, which they claim helped her own children to excel and graduate with honors.
Jeffrey Ramirez, who has 2 step-children who currently attend HAS, volunteered at the Charter school. Ramirez said despite his effort to help out, he noticed problems between students and school officials from the very start.
"Pretty much when I started volunteering there right off the bat, I started seeing all kinds of things like teachers mistreating the students, screaming at them," said Ramirez.
Ramirez said he was dismissed after he exposed several incidents to administrators, including a school official who he said changed grades.
Ramirez said he witnessed the administrator change grades with his own eyes and said it explains why her son graduated as valedictorian.
NewsChannel 11: "Do you think she's using that same system to hold other kids back?" Ramirez: "Yeah, in fact, I'm positive that she is. She has a problem with one of the parents because this parent does voice her concerns."
We met a few mothers who did voice their concerns. Although they did agree to an on-camera interview with NewsChannel 11, we respected their wishes and concealed their identity.
One of the mothers said she checked her daughter's grades through the school's online grade checking system. She checked it on a continual basis since she participated in an after school extracurricular activity and is a member of a club, which helps to provide a scholarship for college.
This mother noticed a drastic change in her daughter's grades over a 2-day period. She checked with her daughter's teachers. The teachers confirmed the grades in the system were not accurate.
Ramirez provided KCBD NewsChannel 11 a few text messages between him and the former administrator. According to the message provided, it read, "Please don't tell him (Principal Bayar) about me changing the grades over the summer. I don't want to get fired. If you keep my secret, I'll help you as much as I can."
Shussler provided the following statement in regards to the accusations of altering grades:
The matter is under an ongoing investigation, which is not yet complete, and until it's complete we are not in a position to comment."
Harmony Science Academy declined our request for an on camera interview, due to the pending investigation.
We reached out to the Texas Education Agency to see if they had any insight about this particular investigation. TEA said this matter is considered an "internal investigation" and only involves the Houston-based district office. “
NewsChannel 11 will continue to stay on top of this investigation. We will bring you the latest results as they become available.
Below is the response from Harmony Science Academy Lubbock as posted on its website:
“Dear Parents and Guardians:
In response to a news report on KBCD Lubbock last evening regarding allegations of grade-changing, please note the following:
1. The matter is under an ongoing internal investigation, which is not yet complete.
2. No external or third-party investigation is taking place.
3. As a precautionary measure, we have taken additional steps to restrict access and protect the integrity of the school's computer technology and grading system.
4. If the investigation ultimately identifies mistakes, improprieties, or potential system improvements, appropriate corrective measures will be promptly taken.
5. One school administrator has resigned as a result of the ongoing investigation.
6. The male individual featured in the news broadcast is not the parent of any of our students, and has not been a volunteer at our school since last summer.
Please know and be assured that at Harmony Public Schools, the physical and emotional well-being of our students is our first and foremost priority.
Thank you for your continued support of Harmony Science Academy – Lubbock. “
From the Harmony Science Academy Lubbock website
Here’s a link to the news story:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53DzSH3uVQw&feature=youtu.be
Here’s the news story transcript:
http://www.kcbd.com/story/19946293/kcbd-investigates-did-harmony-science-academy-change-students-grades
Apparently there is an ongoing investigation involving alleged student grade changing by a recent-- and now former -- administrator who tampered with the grades for her own personal benefit.
So despite the fact the Lubbock new station KBCD announced the Texas Department of Education was involved in the investigation, the school claims that “no external or third-party investigation is taking place.” Which is it – can’t have it both ways?
We’re not clear if the TDE is referring to the Cosmos’ Foundation’s District office or the actual TDE office in Houston. Either way, it is clear that as many independent parties as needed should be involved in order to fully and unbiasedly investigate these very serious allegations and possible criminal activity.
But if it’s true that it is an “internal” investigation, how is that possible? This school, and like the other 35 Gulen –inspired Texas schools (and the other 120 throughout the US), are publicly funded, and accordingly -- have to abide by the Sunshine laws which require public access to school records, including Board Minutes (which should – but probably do not – have discussions on this issue).
And in their response, the boys kind of gloss over the fact that “One school administrator has resigned as a result of the ongoing investigation,” which is kind of a big deal considering it was in fact an “administrator” that resigned – a direct representative and reflection of the school’s leadership.
Likewise, if in fact it is true that the administrator was changing student grades on a whim and at her personal discretion, it is a dismal failure on the part of the administration to employ, monitor, and put their trust into an “administrator” with less than honorable values. We wonder if in fact the people at Cosmos and the Director at Harmony Lubbock ever bothered to check the references before hiring the cheater.
And in keeping with their “shoot the messenger theme,” the school states that the “Male individual featured in the news broadcast is not the parent of any of our students, and has not been a volunteer at our school since last summer."
The boys like to attempt to discredit any dissenters in a failed attempt to cover their own collective behinds, but in the end -- it always backfires.
For instance, if in fact it is true that the “male was not a parent of any of the students,” what exactly what was he doing there to begin with – why would a non parent decide to simply hang out at the school – to learn Turkish or eat baklava perhaps? Further, if the “non parent” was a volunteer was he required to undergo a background check to ensure the safety of the students?
And the last line is a winner – the school blabbering on about how – “The physical and emotional well-being of our students is our first and foremost priority.” If that’s true, then why was the cheating administrator hired and allowed to access and change student grades without any intervention from the Director? If the alleged incidents happened last summer, why at the end of October was action finally taken?
Frankly, we’re of the mind that when incidences like this happen that the Director should also be forced to resign, after all, it’s his responsibility to ultimately protect the staff and students from harm and if he fails to do so – he too needs to go —tea cup in hand.
As a postscript, let our website know where we can find the actual minutes of the Cosmos managed schools, they seem to be hiding out with the staff lists, which should be of great concern to the taxpayers, parents, and students.
What are they hiding and why?
One more postcript --- if it was that easy to change student grades -- wonder how easy it would be to tamper with state test scores -- just a thought...
By Natasha Sweatte of KCBD News
Published on October 30, 2012
LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) -
“A local charter school is under investigation after allegations surfaced that a school administrator unlawfully changed grades.
Officials with the Houston District office for Public Harmony Schools, head of the cluster of Texas charter schools, expressed they are actively working to get answers about the alleged grade changes. KCBD NewsChannel 11 is keeping the former administrator's name confidential, since the investigation is still pending and no charges have been filed. When we began our investigation, parents told us this former administrator was still employed at HAS, but parted ways last week. The district office said they are unable to confirm dates of when this investigation began or when this administrator ended her employment.
Public Harmony Schools Spokesperson Julie Shussler confirmed Monday the Harmony Science Academy administrator is no longer employed at the charter school.
"As a precautionary measure, we have taken additional steps to protect the integrity of the school's computer technology and grading system," Shussler said in a written statement.
KCBD NewsChannel 11 spoke with several parents who claimed they knew the former administrator changed grades to hurt some students academically, which they claim helped her own children to excel and graduate with honors.
Jeffrey Ramirez, who has 2 step-children who currently attend HAS, volunteered at the Charter school. Ramirez said despite his effort to help out, he noticed problems between students and school officials from the very start.
"Pretty much when I started volunteering there right off the bat, I started seeing all kinds of things like teachers mistreating the students, screaming at them," said Ramirez.
Ramirez said he was dismissed after he exposed several incidents to administrators, including a school official who he said changed grades.
Ramirez said he witnessed the administrator change grades with his own eyes and said it explains why her son graduated as valedictorian.
NewsChannel 11: "Do you think she's using that same system to hold other kids back?" Ramirez: "Yeah, in fact, I'm positive that she is. She has a problem with one of the parents because this parent does voice her concerns."
We met a few mothers who did voice their concerns. Although they did agree to an on-camera interview with NewsChannel 11, we respected their wishes and concealed their identity.
One of the mothers said she checked her daughter's grades through the school's online grade checking system. She checked it on a continual basis since she participated in an after school extracurricular activity and is a member of a club, which helps to provide a scholarship for college.
This mother noticed a drastic change in her daughter's grades over a 2-day period. She checked with her daughter's teachers. The teachers confirmed the grades in the system were not accurate.
Ramirez provided KCBD NewsChannel 11 a few text messages between him and the former administrator. According to the message provided, it read, "Please don't tell him (Principal Bayar) about me changing the grades over the summer. I don't want to get fired. If you keep my secret, I'll help you as much as I can."
Shussler provided the following statement in regards to the accusations of altering grades:
The matter is under an ongoing investigation, which is not yet complete, and until it's complete we are not in a position to comment."
Harmony Science Academy declined our request for an on camera interview, due to the pending investigation.
We reached out to the Texas Education Agency to see if they had any insight about this particular investigation. TEA said this matter is considered an "internal investigation" and only involves the Houston-based district office. “
NewsChannel 11 will continue to stay on top of this investigation. We will bring you the latest results as they become available.
Below is the response from Harmony Science Academy Lubbock as posted on its website:
“Dear Parents and Guardians:
In response to a news report on KBCD Lubbock last evening regarding allegations of grade-changing, please note the following:
1. The matter is under an ongoing internal investigation, which is not yet complete.
2. No external or third-party investigation is taking place.
3. As a precautionary measure, we have taken additional steps to restrict access and protect the integrity of the school's computer technology and grading system.
4. If the investigation ultimately identifies mistakes, improprieties, or potential system improvements, appropriate corrective measures will be promptly taken.
5. One school administrator has resigned as a result of the ongoing investigation.
6. The male individual featured in the news broadcast is not the parent of any of our students, and has not been a volunteer at our school since last summer.
Please know and be assured that at Harmony Public Schools, the physical and emotional well-being of our students is our first and foremost priority.
Thank you for your continued support of Harmony Science Academy – Lubbock. “
From the Harmony Science Academy Lubbock website
Here’s a link to the news story:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53DzSH3uVQw&feature=youtu.be
Here’s the news story transcript:
http://www.kcbd.com/story/19946293/kcbd-investigates-did-harmony-science-academy-change-students-grades
