The governor's report cited three key reasons that such levels of cheating flourished in APS. The first was that the district set unrealistic test-score goals, or "targets." \({ }^{\text {" } 752}\) For example, the target each year was always higher for each grade even if the students entering that grade had lower test scores from the previous years. Once inflated by the cheating, it became impossible to attain the new target scores without cheating. The second was the result of that pressure, which was a culture of pressure and retaliation with terminations and bizarre public treatment when test scores fell below targets. The investigative report includes pages of examples of retaliation against principals and teachers who raised objections to changing answers and questioned the validity of the test scores. In situations where those who raised questions were terminated, their claims against the school district were settled if they claimed retaliation so that the matters were kept from the public eye. The third was Ms. Hall emphasizing test results and doling out public praise for those who achieved those results "at the expense of ethics."

Because the targets were raised each time a school reached them, the pressure increased each year. "Cheating one year created a need for more cheating the next," and "Once cheating started, it became a house of cards that collapsed on itself." The report also concluded that 'APS became such a 'data-driven' system, with unreasonable and excessive pressure to meet targets, that Beverly Hall and her senior cabinet lost sight of conducting tests with integrity."

Ms. Hall earned over \(\$ 383,000\) in bonuses over a decade for the scores that were achieved through the manipulations. The cheating scandal was able to go on for nearly a decade because of what an investigative report referred to as a culture of fear. There was a code of silence about the behaviors. When a teacher/whistleblower filed a report on the cheating problems, an area superintendent in the district had him alter what he said in his report and then put a reprimand in his file. No action was taken to address the cheating by the teacher named in his report. Another teacher who witnessed tampering with test answers sheets was told that if she did not "keep her mouth shut," she would "be gone."

At district meetings, principals who attained the level of test scores desired were permitted to sit up front near Ms. Hall. Those principals who resisted the cheating and did not attain the level of scores that was required were forced to sit in the bleachers along the side. \({ }^{753}\) Teachers with low scores were forced to sit under tables in meetings. And those who dared asked why they were changing students' answers were terminated, transferred, or investigated. Those who achieved their test scores were given bonuses of between \(\$ 750\) and \(\$ 2,600\). Twenty-five percent of principals' performance evaluations were based on test scores, and if their schools did not achieve targets within three years, they were replaced.

In 2011, a statistical study by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution indicated that the scores were not likely authentic. A subsequent investigation showed that the test answer sheets had been altered in substantial ways. Ms. Hall resigned, and a number of principals and teachers also resigned and were disciplined by the district, which including losing their jobs as well as their teaching certificates. Over 178 employees of the school system were sanctioned for altering test answer sheets, falsifying scores, and helping students answer questions for students during exams. The APS was placed on probation by the accrediting bodies for public education systems.........................

Discussion Questions 1. Why did the cheating culture exist?
2. What made the cheating culture continue?
3. Explain how those who raised questions were treated.
4. Make a list of all who were affected by the cheating and the consequences.
5. Explain why teachers, principals, and administrators continued to participate in the cheating.