Yesterday I wrote of the allegations directed at me by the Cobb County School District regarding the “suspicious” high test scores of my predominantly Black and Hispanic students.
This morning at 8 a.m. my progress toward my classroom was blocked by an administrator and I was escorted to the principal’s office, like an errant 15 year-old. Once inside I was faced with the unpleasant presence of the HR investigator sent to intimidate me yesterday, December 15, 2017.
I have been placed on administrative leave pending investigation of the “reports”… I think it is only a report when someone calls it in, if the investigator goes seeking, it should be considered solicited and coerced, especially when said reports came from 16 and 17 year-old students pulled from their classes, lied to about the identification of those posing questions, and the purpose of the inquiry; all without the presence of a parent or guardian.
Even though I am still under contract and have professional obligation to grade papers, and input grades, and even though my students are sending me, via email, final projects, and need a review for the final, I cannot directly or “indirectly” contact them.
I cannot even speak to my colleagues, even though we also enjoy a social relationship. Even though they now have the burden of covering my classes through next Wednesday.
I have a good lawyer and he is conducting his own inquiry. There is a long history here, and once all the pieces are in place, someone will lose. I do not intend for it to be me, or my students.