2 principals surrender administrative credentials
Complete coverage of the Philadelphia School District by the Philadelphia Inquirer's Kristen Graham.
2 principals surrender administrative credentials
Kristen Graham
UPDATE, 2:30 p.m.
That two Philadelphia principals whose schools are under investigation for cheating have surrendered their administrative licenses sends a clear message, a state official said Wednesday afternoon.
"This is evidence that the department is serious about cracking down on this type of activity," said Tim Eller, spokesman for the state Department of Education. "We're intent on weeding this type of behavior out; it ultimately hurts children."
The two - Barbara McCreery, formerly principal of Communications Tech High, and Lola Marie O'Rourke, formerly of Locke Elementary - both voluntarily gave up their administrative credentials in lieu of discipline.
But, Eller said, "they will retain their teaching certificates, but be unable to teach in the Philadelphia School District."
Still, Eller said, if either attempted to get a job as a teacher in Pennsylvania, any potential employer would be notified that they voluntarily surrendered their administrative certificates.
I'm still awaiting reaction from the district.
EARLIER
Two Philadelphia School District principals whose schools were under investigation for possible state-exam cheating have surrendered their administrative credentials, according to the state Department of Education.
Barbara McCreery, the former principal of Communications Tech High School, surrendered her administrative license "in lieu of discipline."
Lola Marie O'Rourke, the former principal of Locke Elementary, surrendered her superintendent's letter of eligibility, supervisory and administrative credentials, also in lieu of discipline.
Announcements of both were just made public. McCreery's action was taken March 20, and O'Rourke's March 7.
Among the 53 district schools under investigation for possible cheating beginning in 2009, both Comm Tech and Locke were considered "Tier One" schools - schools were violations were found to be widespread and not limited to one classroom or grade.
It's been well over a year since the investigations into PSSA exam improprieties were announced. The state has moved to take disciplinary action against over 100 alleged cheaters in many districts where problems were found, but Philadelphia - whose investigation was much larger and more complex than other districts' - has been slow to move.
The state Inspector General's office conducted cheating investigations at the Tier One schools, including McCreery's and O'Rourke's, but the district has led investigations at schools where cheating is alleged to have been less widespread.
District spokesman Fernando Gallard said Wednesday that the district's "process is still ongoing" but he expected an announcement about actions against educators who were found to have cheated this month.
Teachers and others at two other district schools - Roosevelt Middle and Cayuga Elementary - provided detailed accounts to The Inquirer about widespread cheating at their schools.
After unprecedented security measures were put into effect for last year's PSSAs, scores at many of the investigated schools tumbled. Drops at both Locke and Comm Tech particularly precipitious.
Last year, a source with direct knowledge of the Philadelphia cheating investigations told The Inquirer that across the district in affected schools, the evidence "is pointing in the direction of manipulation across grades, subject areas, across years - it's glaring." In some cases, administrators confessed to investigators.
The head of the district principal's union said that he has sat in on multiple hearings for investigators his union represents.
This is a developing story; please check back for more details.
This comment has been deleted.— Cheese Steak Charlie- this is happening in all schools, but more so urban schools. this is what happens when you place so much emphasis on high stakes testing. its leads to increased accountability in environments where there is limited resources, which is unfair. — theeducator
Why is it "all or nothing" when it comes to disciplining these people??? Why can't it be a year or more suspension? Why does it always have to be, "Let's take away their livelihood because we won't be happy until they die penniless in the street!"- Re-reead the artice. "surrendered her administrative license 'in lieu of discipline.'" They would rather give up their licenses and credentials than be "disciplined". Sounds to me like they had a choice. — phillycaster
- That's no choice.
The threat of criminal charges or lose your career................forever. - Atlanta , Cleveland , Washington - & yes Philly ... Cheating is running rampant in these districts. So a lot of the so-called progress they've made over that last few years is all B.S. So when you see these "Blue Ribbon' schools you now have to look at this the same way you look at a baseball player who hits 65 homers. (With a very skeptical eye)— kennedy2
- Becasue it's fraud "vomit man." You want them to be a principal somewhere else? With teachers it's different because they are under the dirction of the principal. Some of them even announced directions on the PA system.— Filly5
- And yet, you somehow manage to keep YOUR job. I'm sure you've been one of the many incompetent frauds I've run into in any of numerous professions.
The point is, there IS middle ground. But the first thing people do in reaction to something is look to take someone's livelihood away from them. - Vomit, I am currently a schoolteacher, used to work in the NJ public schools, and even worked briefly in Philly. Certain professionals should be held to a higher standard! That includes the people entrusted to care for our children!! Moral relavists like you are one of the main reasons the U.S. had declined mightily since the 60s!!! Remember, being a conservative is hard; you will always be called names in the schools, media and popular culture. Being a lib is the easiest, gutless, most cowardly choice any idiot can make - all you have to do is say you are for everything and against nothing... — jackb69
- What is being missed in this article is why and how this culture got created. When the Chicago people got here, They did everything under the Sun to convince principals it was better to cheat. Principals never felt they had to cheat till the Chicago people came with their reforms. When is that story going to be written?— J.A.DeLeon
- Three who are well known cheaters got pushed up into higher positons by Superintendent Ackerman. One was caught cheating for 3 years, and she now has a better job.— Filly5
- and they are all............???? — dontlikedems
- This is all a result of DUMBYA BUSH'S failed NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND.— phillygtown
- I sigh as I write this, knowing it is likely a waste of time...phillygtown, for the record, I am a schoolteacher and political independent. Ted Kennedy (essentially) wrote NCLB! The only thing Bush (really) did was ensure the left got even more money than the Dems had asked for! If you are a hard-core lefty, that is your prerogative. But at least be intellectually honest... — jackb69
- Lefties got more money? WTH?? @@ one of the problems with NCLB is that it exacted standards without giving the supports (money). — Filly5
During the school year, you’ll frequently find her hosting live chats about the district on Philly.com. Please do pass along the scoop about what’s going on at your Philadelphia public school; Kristen welcomes tips, story ideas and witty banter at kgraham@phillynews.com or 215-854-5146.
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