More DISD Grade-Changing, Intimidation Allegations
Submitted by Allen Gwinn on Fri, 05/30/2008 - 06:32.
by Brett Shipp, WFAA TV, Dallas
Another Dallas Independent School District teacher is going public with allegations of forced grade changing for a star athlete.
While reluctant to speak out, Stephen Wilson said he feel he needed to come forward after witnessing grade-changing over the last year at Roosevelt High School. He also said that retaliation by his bosses has become so severe that he felt like speaking out might protect himself and ensure grade changing for athletes is stopped.
OPR's Report: SOC, Skyline, Roosevelt
Why Dallas ISD Administration has not released the OPR's Investigation Reports on Illegal Changing of Grades for student athletes at SOC, Skyline, and Roosevelt. The public and those who were involved in a public investigation have the right to know the out come of the investigations.
It is my belief the Dallas ISD Central Staff Administrators will not release the reports unless they are forced and pressured into doing so by the media. Therefore, every news media source in Dallas, every citizen in Dallas, as well the public empolyees of Dallas ISD involved in the investigations should request under Open Records Act a copy of the reports.
The citizens of Dallas need to understand that the tax payers money have been used to conduct investigations on SOC, Skyline, and Roosevelt but yet the public has not been informed of the out come of those investigations. I have an uncle who is an attorney in Dallas. He expressed his opinion to me and stated that it may be better that Dallas ISD Central Staff Administrators release the reports voluntary so the public knows the out come of the investigations than to have a court order to have the reports released involuntary. If it will require a court order, it may sends a message that Dallas ISD is hiding something they don't want the public to know.
Dallas citizens, let's find out whats in those OPR's Investigation Reports on the Illegal Changing of Grades for student athletes at SOC, Skyline, and Roosevelt and not allow Dallas ISD Administration to sweep it under the rug.
Remember this?
Does anyone remember a while back when there was a candidate for DISD Superintendent that was a Marine Corps general?
I wonder where he is now? I wonder how he is doing? I wonder if we could call on him in 2010-2011?
Peter Principle
The Peter Principle:
"Each man rises to his level of incompetence, and there he remains."
– Dr. Laurence J. Peter
Dr. Peter, say it "ain't" so, it's waaaaaay past time for Hinojosa to go!
[Ed Note: It is, huh? I'm not sure I agree with a blanket statement that Hinojosa is incompetent.]
The Sequence of the Grade Changing Allegation
I would like the readers to know that some of the sequence of new cast in the Roosevelt Grade Changing Allegation were a little out of order.
[Ed Note: Thanks Stephen. There's more to come on this subject and I believe it will all fall into place.]
Hinojosa, P-Cards, Roosevelt
If Hinojosa had done what he promised and fired the principals who violated policy for spending grant monies, this woman would have been gone before she ever arrived on the Roosevelt campus.
See a pattern here? Violate policy (and law) in one area, and continue the same behavior concerning grade changes and attendance records.
Hinojosa seemed to have allowed principals with decent test scores to continue in their jobs. This principal was PROMOTED after the pcard investigation. Now that her scores for this year keep Roosevelt in the low-performing category, there may be some consequences.
That doesn't speak well of Hinojosa's own ethics that principals can stay in their positions, no matter what they do, as long as their test scores make him look good.
[Ed Note: Readers can view the P-Card report in question here.
Dixon
Those who have worked with Dixon know how her test scores were passing! I guess her strategy didn't work at Roosevelt. What goes around comes around!
[Ed Note: I'm not willing to accept allegations of cheating by a principal (even an unpopular one) unless you can prove the allegation. So I'm going to call "foul" on this one.]
A. Maceo Smith Summer School Principal
Does anyone recall how involved Dr. Dinah Marks was in the P-Card violations? I have been told that she is currently paying money back as a result of her violations. What's odd is that she now holds the position of Associate Principal-Teaching and Learning at Smith and will be the summer school principal. How does someone spend tax payer dollars and land right back in leadership positions in less than a year? Maybe Hinojosa's and the "Renaissance Principal's" ethics do need to be questioned.
[Ed Note: A link to Dr. Marks' report can be found here.]
Dr. Dinah Marks
Dr. Marks was transfered from Burleson Elementary School as principal to Skyline High School as Assistant Principal where she completed the school year. She was perfectly pleasant while at Skyline.
Skyline, however, seems to dumping ground for deposed DISD administrators. I can think of at least 5 "former" principals over the past few years.
Another Great Principal?
What ever happened to the principal of Lincoln being investigated for the P-Card? He does not have the best interest(extreme dead weight) of the school, another YES man for Castro? How can he help turn around incoming Spruce students? He (Jones) is too busy stroking the ego of his favorite teachers, while other things go unnoticed (the apperance of the school inside and out-and this is on the small list just to name a few)until a big to do is in the making. The hard work of others slowly going down the drain!
Boude Storey
That's funny, I always thought Boude Storey was a dumping ground for "deposed" administrators and teachers no one else wanted.
[Ed Note: Are you sure you're not talking about administration? :) ]
Secretary Responsible?
So from what I'm reading its the secretary that did the underhanded stuff?
Get Facts Straight
To anonymous,
Please get your facts straight before posting information about something you know nothing about. Even though I don't agree with the way the investigation was handled, I do know Dr. Marks professionally and personally. She didn't steal any money, therefore, there is no money to pay back. Perhaps, you are a former administrator at Smith who is just bitter about the way that you left. Perhaps, you are a parent who is unhappy about the way something was handled with your child or perhaps you are a bitter employee who didn't get a summer school position. You pick and choose which category you fit in, but before you start putting out untruths about anyone, get the facts. Also, note that there were a lot of people who held higher positions than Dr. Marks and had far worse violations and the STILL have their positions. So I do ask why do you single her out?
Real Facts at Smith
Go down to the Admin Bldg., 3700 Ross Ave. Get a copy of the hearing transcripts on the Smith administrator about whom you are attempting to speak and YOU get the facts. The DISD admitted under oath to destroying evidence. The DISD admitted under oath that they did not get documents to him that they sent to every other accused administrator. The DISD admitted under oath that they never gave him a copy of the list of items that he was supposed to have stolen. There was 100% accountability for EVERYTHING about which they bothered to tell him. It's a matter of public record. Even YOU can have a copy! So while you defend Dr. Dinah Marks, know EVERYTHING. Marks has no public record other than her demotion. She never tried to defend herself or have a hearing. Give in to Hinojosa and live. Stand up to him like a man and be crucified!
Marks, P-Card, etc.
Is there a hint of anger in your response? I do believe I asked if anyone knew anything about Dr. Marks P-card involvement so that I could have my facts straight! Instead of getting angry and defensive you should have pointed me in the right direction to get an answer to my questions. I do not recall any untruths regarding Dr. Marks in my entry. It is true that she does hold a leadership position at Smith,it is true that she will be the summer school principal and it is true that she was involved in the P-card scandal to some degree. It does not matter if I am a former administrator, parent or teacher I want to know what the final outcome was regarding Dr. Marks and the P-cards and if she was moved to Smith(a school already severely damaged by the scandal)as a result of any wrong doing!
It is no secret that administrators with problems are often moved around to other schools (especially low performing schools)as punishment. Pull your fangs in and direct me to some proof regarding Dr. Marks. Since you know her on a personal level, was she moved to Smith as a result of the P-card scandal? I would like to say that this isn't personal however, that would be a lie because anything that involves Smith (not Dr. Marks)is personal to me.
You are correct about there being people that were major violators in the P-card scandal that still have their positions. That should make us all ask what Hinojosa based his decisions on when he decided who would stay and be shuffled around to other schools and who would be terminated. Once again his ethics should be questioned.
[Ed Note: I'm not sure anything involving P-cards was managed correctly: from their use, to the investigation, to the conclusions.]
RE: Marks, Pcard, etc.
Maybe I was a slight defensive of Dr. Marks. The direction that I would point you in would be to Dr. Marks. She would be the best source. If there is a question with her ethics then go to her rather than try and get the answer from a blog site. The way that the district handled the first batch of people of the investigation (with the exception of a couple) was a bit rushed if you ask me. She was demoted and moved to Skyline where she was supposed to stay for this year. At a last minute decision she was moved to Smith. My belief is that she was moved to Smith to help bring some sort of structure and to aid with improving the test scores not because of any wrong doing. If you look at all the previous campuses where she was an administrator, the scores did improve. So I would charge you to go to Dr. Marks with your concern. I am sure she would be happy to speak with about where the campus is and where it is headed. If SMITH is a personal to you, then go to Dr. Marks. It would be the best for coming up with a solution to move Smith to greatness.
Roosevelt: Low-Performing
I am a teacher at Roosevelt High School and I am very disappointed with the TAKS results this school year. We could have done much better on the TAKS if the current administrative staff would have been more focus on students learning rather than hurting the teachers and support staff. This current administrative staff did not have any plans.
However, Mr. Leslie Williams stated in one of our staff meeting that he informed Dr. Hinojosa that Mrs. M. Jean Dixon and her staff had a plan and when the TAKS results return everyone will be proud on Roosevelt. What was so puzzling about his statement was that no teacher at Roosevelt knew about any plan to help our students with TAKS preparation. The question of the day was “How is it that Dr. Hinojosa knows her plan for the TAKS and the teachers are not made aware. Whatever plans she had didn’t work.
I had an opportunity to speak with the co-founder of Group Excellent. The co-founder of Group Excellent shared with me that they were rejected by Mrs. M. Jean Dixon and not allowed to come to Roosevelt to provide tutorial to the students in the area of math. Group Excellent is a company that provides tutorial to students and help them prepare for the TAKS test. During 2006/2007 school year Group Excellent was very instrumental in helping Roosevelt math students pass TAKS.
If you look at our math TAKS results for 2007/2008 and 2006/2007 school years, it will show the plan that was set in place during 2006/2007 school year (which included Group Excellent providing tutorial to our students) was very effected. Our students could have performed much better on the TAKS if they would have gotten the help they needed and if the administrative staff would have been more focus on students learning. They didn't have a plan.
Mrs. M. Jean Dixon refusal to allow Group Excellent to provide tutorial to the students in the area of math contributed to low-performing on the TAKS by our students. Mrs. M. Jean Dixon has inform the math teachers if 50% of their students did not pass the TAKS to go look for another teaching job.
[Ed Note: Keep in mind that there are many reasons for a school to be low performing. It is rarely any one thing. So I'm not willing to say that disallowing a group to provide tutorials was the straw that broke the camel's back. It is probably Ms. Dixon's call--since she will ultimately bear the responsibility for the school's performance.]
A. Maceo Smith HS
Well, the results are back and our principal finally confirmed that we, much like our administrative leadership, are low-performing. Whoever said we were making big gains in Math and Science got it wrong. There is no "Renaissance" or rebirth at Smith, its more like the Great Depression and abortion. More than half of our school population is obviously struggling in math and science according to our TAKS results. Our leaders didn't feel it was important to have Math and Science tutoring for our seniors. Our principal and associate principal didn't think it was important. Its no surprise that nearly seventy seniors were dropped from the graduation list because there was no plan in place for them. We might have had better results overall if our testing coordinator/assistant principal could find the more than 100 TAKS TESTING BOOKLETS AND ANSWER DOCUMENTS she lost. I believe she did find 50 of them. Only 50 more to go! Maybe once the answer documents are found we will be acceptable and not have to face reconstitution. But then again, maybe you believe in the tooth fairy.
[Ed Note: ...and they label people like you 'cynical' :) ]
A. Maceo Smith HS
African American students at Smith are not the only students that are low performing in Math & Science! If you look at the numbers this is a problem across our great state. The principal of "The Great James Madison HS" brought this to my attention as did Dr. Blackburn in his April 2007 school board meeting presentation.
There are so many petty issues going on through out many of our area high schools that I think the main focus of educating our young people has been lost. There is NO reason that our students should be doing so poorly in these areas. There has to be something that we can all do to change this trend. I think the schools need to do a better job of impressing upon parents just how important it is for their students to do well in Math & Science. Maybe some parent workshops that really teach parents how to help their students or Math & Science homework nights at the school where you have teachers, parents and students there together. I don't know what will and will not work but at this point all high schools and administrative teams should be willing to try anything!
I know that Smith has administrative problems and I know that we are all in denial if we think that it is not effecting the over all performance of the students. The seniors at every high school should be just as important as the incoming freshman. Tutoring should be made available to them from the first week of school on up until the last test date for TAKS. The testing coordinator should be just that and only that. How can 50 test booklets and answer documents be missing and there not be an investigation? That can not be acceptable!
It is time for the leaders at Smith to step up, take self out and put the P back in Pride for Smith. This is not a time for the administrative team to try and recreate the wheel instead, maybe they should try some old methods that worked when AMS was acceptable. Maybe they should drop some of their pride and consult with some of the old administrators to get some ideas about how to move Smith forward.
A. Maceo Smith
I am a highly qualified teacher at A.Maceo Smith. I am a veteran teacher who has a range of experience as a core teacher. I have worked in some of the worst neighborhoods with the best kids. I am certified as an administrator. Currently, T.K.Williams is listed as the assistant principal of A.Maceo. The position has never been posted. There are several professionals in the building who are qualified to hold that position. None of us had an opportunity to apply for the position. I have never seen the position posted. Many of us have witnessed the building fall apart, but we will not allow the flagrant abuse of policy happen by sliding someone who may not be the most qualified person, but has weasled in a position. Days of the good ole boy system will not happen while I sit and watch.I've got others on my side. I will contact employee relations, channel 8 and whomever else. This practice is unfair to those of us who believe in following policy.For those of you who need proof, find a copy of the graduation program. You will find her listed as the assistant principal and you will find her listed under A. Maceo Smith High School on the Dallas ISD page. Allen, the proof is online. Policy has been violated.Check out this story. I dare you. :)
[Ed Note: I don't doubt you. Go hunt it down through open records and we'll publish it!]
Re: A. Maceo Smith HS
The comment that was posted on 6/9/2008 regarding A. Maceo Smith High School is very well stated and totally true. I hope someone is listening...
Re: A. Maceo Smith HS 2
The 6-9-08 post is very true, however schools can only do so much.
And the reason why so many school (along with other school districts) vent their anger at the black student is because many of the issues in the schools involve them.
Compare households-
Most of the Hispanics in DISD are old school folks. They will come up to the school and try to help. Most of their parents are working the jobs that most Americans don't want. Guess what that motivates those most of those kids to do better even the WORST ones. And what do they see outside of school? Hispanic doctors, lawyers, owners of businesses, athletes, singers and others. They understand they can be more than a criminal or dead body.
Now look at most of your black DISD students. Many of them are the opposite or even worst. And we as DISD employees try to help them and no support from the home, church or black community. Have you ever met a kid that says they want to be dead of locked up by age 18 or a rapper or a welfare mother?
You want to fix DISD schools-get the parents to be active and maybe we won't have all these scandals.
Roosevelt
You rely on outsiders to teach the students at Roosevelt and expect them to pass the test? You must be crazy. Blaming the principal for not allowing an outside, for-profit agency to tutor the students is not the way to go to get students to a higher standard of learning. These providers are supplemental and are paid but NCLB money, big sum of money. Teaching must happen in the real classroom. If students are not successful in the real classroom, how do you expect them to do better in the test. You of all people should know. Oh, I'm sorry, if you know these things, there should be no discussion like this. Just proves that Ms. Dixon needs to fire more teachers in her school. If Ms. Dixon does not have a plan, then why do you have to wait for her to make the plan. Aren't core teachers have one extra planning period this year to collaborate with each other? I bet only gripes of sour grapes come out during those meetings. This I can say to you Roosevelt teachers, the only way to change the system is to change your ways. No principal can change your hearts and passion for students. I don't know Ms. Dixon but I bet she has a heck of shoveling to do in that school.
Report Violations to DA
Violations of policy (and law) in the areas of grade changing and state attendance records should launch a criminal investigation by the DA office. Every school and school district receives funds based on students attendance records.
In Texas, state funding for schools is based on what administrators call WADA - weighted average daily attendance. Boosting a school’s attendance rate by even a few percentage points can increase its state funding. How much state money a school receives is determined by how many students it has in attendance on an average day. More students means more money. The specific charge is tampering with a governmental record, a second-degree felony.
The Principal of Roosevelt High School should be under criminal investigation over allegations for reporting false attendance information to the state - which could have been a way to get more state funding than the school deserved.
A faked attendance rate could also have benefited her personally. According to her employment contract may allow her to receive a bonus if the school report high attendance rate.
A lone with inflation of students attendance, there are also allegations that she ordered employees to falsify attendance data as well ordered employees to falsify/inflate students academic records.
We have got to stop the corruption inside of Dallas ISD. It is my personal belief, what the principal of Roosevelt has done is fraud and needs to be reported and investigated by the DA's office. This will be reported to the DA Office.
[Ed Note: I'd like to think things like this would be investigated. Of course, I'm also a realist!]
Report It, Who Cares?
Get on that "reporting" because it may take you a while. Somewhere along the way of justice, it turned into Just Us, and the authorities that should care are too busy to care. I have certified letters (with returned signed green cards too) and have hand delivered, stood and spoken complaints, demanded from State Senator(s), and Ethics
Committies with submitted evidence and yet none, not one has had the time for Dallas ISD, neigh.
For whom does rule apply; the ruler? Not, I cry! :(
Keep workin it :)