Report Released On John Dewey High School Grade-Fixing Scandal; Principal Fired
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The investigation into alleged grade fixing at John Dewey High School is officially complete, and the principal is out.
On Wednesday evening, Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña released a report detailing the findings of the investigation.
As CBS2 Political Reporter Marcia Kramer reported, the school in the Gravesend section of Brooklyn was shrouded in darkness for some time.
But the bright light of a corruption probe has verified reports about a grade-fixing scandal – in which students were allowed to watch movies, eat lunch, and sometimes just show up for class in order to get passing marks, Kramer reported. The students reportedly called the program "Easy Pass" or "E-Z Pass."
"In the E-Z Pass environment, you don't have to work – just, just show up," said teacher Wade Goria. "And sometimes you don't have to show up."
The grade-fixing operation was alive and well for two years, according to the probe.
Fariña had the report on her desk since June 30, but waited until now to release it -- way too late to affect this year's graduates.
She issued a statement saying, "The results of the investigation are disturbing."
Farina has been questioned several times about the status of the investigation.
A few weeks ago, Farina's security guard pushed Kramer as she tried to ask why nothing had been done to stop the scandal.
Kramer: "They're graduating, nothing's been done, and there's still a grade..."
Fariña: "There's a long process and you'll read the reports."
Kramer: "There is no report, chancellor, because they say there's been no investigation."
Finally, with her back against the wall, Farina took action: firing the school's principal and establishing a summer training program for principals. The report also recommends "appropriate" disciplinary action against the principal and two assistant principals.
Social studies teacher Goria was one of just over a dozen teachers who came forward to report the grade fixing, thanking CBS2 for persevering.
"CBS' Marcia Kramer – well, she's our absolute heroine," Goria said. "She believed in us; brought this to very much public attention."
Goria and another whistleblower teacher, Michael Klimetz, worried about how "E-Z Pass" had ruined the lives of students denied an opportunity to learn.
"What are we going to do about the students whose academic lives were cut so short; that were poisoned by time not very well spent in the classroom?" Klimetz said. "How's the DOE going to address remediating that situation?"
What disturbs teachers such as Goria and Klimetz is that by their calculations, 240 kids graduated from Dewey last year because of grade fixing. This year, with the probe ongoing, they said there will still be 40 more who should not have been given diplomas.
The city's Department of Education will replace Kathleen Elvin as principal of John Dewey High School in Brooklyn, Farina said Wednesday.
