CRCT Investigation: Parks Elementary Cheated The Most

ATLANTA -- One of Atlanta’s schools hailed as an example on how to improve test scores is now being marked as having the largest number of cheaters in the state.

Tuesday, the goveor’s office released the report on an investigation into cheating on the state standardized exam called Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests, or CRCTs.

The investigation showed cheating by 178 teachers and administrators within 44 schools that were examined.

Parks Middle School in southwest Atlanta was one of the school’s investigated.

In the past, Parks has been praised for showing drastic improvements on CRCT scores, but now investigators said they have gotten confessions of cheating from more than a dozen workers at the school, more than any other school in the state.

The investigation showed cheating started when Parks principal Christopher Waller started in 2006.

At first, he recruited only two teachers to help change the students’ standardized test answers, then later, more teachers got involved, according to the investigation.

The investigation showed teachers started having weekend parties where they would change test answers and illegally access the test booklets ahead of time.

GA Daily News went to Waller's house to ask him about all of this, but no one answered.

"I don't know what pressure the teachers were under, but certainly the principals should be held accountable," parent Katherine McClellan said.

In 2008, Parks was the only school to make all test targets, so principal Waller collected incentive payments.

Additional payments went to staff members, the investigation showed.

Then Waller received the Atlanta Family Award, which meant he personally was given thousands of dollars.

"I think it’s an embarrassment to this city," one parent said.

"Total disappointment that the city isn't in better control of the schools and the principals don't have more integrity," McClellan added.

The report shows the first time principal Waller was interviewed, he claimed he would never do it because he is also a minister in a Methodist church.

GA Daily News has also leaed from the report that Parks may have led the state in cheating, but Gideon's Elementary and Peyton Forest weren't far behind.