None of the Above

1. The Corrosive Power of Systemic Injustice

How badly were children “cheated” by their teachers, relative to decades of racist policies and practices that had torn their families and communities apart?

Deep-rooted inequities. The book reveals how historical and ongoing systemic injustices, such as urban renewal, the war on drugs, and mass incarceration, have created a cycle of poverty and instability that disproportionately affects black communities, undermining the very foundations of public education.

• Urban renewal projects destroyed thriving black neighborhoods, displacing families and businesses.
• The war on drugs led to mass incarceration, tearing families apart and creating a cycle of poverty.
• These policies created a context where schools were under-resourced and students faced immense challenges.

Beyond individual actions. The narrative challenges the notion that individual actions alone are responsible for the problems in public education, highlighting the need to address the larger societal forces that create and perpetuate inequality. The focus on individual "cheating" distracts from the systemic issues that undermine the education system.

Interconnectedness of issues. The book demonstrates how issues like housing, policing, and education are interconnected and cannot be addressed in isolation. The "cheating scandal" is not just about test scores; it's a symptom of a much larger problem of systemic injustice.

2. The Illusion of Meritocracy in Education

I believed wholeheartedly that every child can learn if given the opportunity, and I was passionate about training to be a teacher who would bring that opportunity to a struggling school in a poor neighborhood.

False promises of equal opportunity. The book exposes the myth of meritocracy in education, revealing how factors like race, class, and zip code often determine a student's access to quality education, regardless of their individual effort or talent.

• The author's experience with Teach for America highlights the belief that "high expectations" alone can overcome systemic barriers.
• The reality of teaching in a low-income school reveals the limitations of this approach.
• The focus on standardized testing as a measure of success ignores the complex realities of students' lives.

Corporate influence. The book shows how corporate interests have shaped education policy, promoting standardized testing and privatization as solutions to complex problems. This approach often prioritizes profit over the needs of students and communities.

The "achievement gap" narrative. The book critiques the "achievement gap" narrative, which often blames students and teachers for systemic inequities. This narrative distracts from the need to address the root causes of educational disparities.

3. The Perils of High-Stakes Testing

The only way toward a public education that benefits all students, and society as a whole, entails addressing the root causes of the inequities and shortcomings that now exist.

Testing as a tool of control. The book demonstrates how high-stakes testing has become a tool for controlling teachers and schools, rather than a means of improving education.

• The No Child Left Behind Act created a system of rewards and punishments based on test scores.
• This system incentivized cheating and narrowed the curriculum, focusing on test preparation rather than holistic learning.
• The pressure to meet targets led to a culture of fear and anxiety among educators.

Flawed metrics. The book reveals the limitations of standardized tests as a measure of student learning and school quality.

• Test scores are often influenced by factors outside of a teacher's control, such as poverty and trauma.
• The focus on test scores ignores other important aspects of education, such as creativity, critical thinking, and social-emotional development.
• The book shows how test scores can be easily manipulated, undermining their validity.

Distraction from real issues. The emphasis on testing distracts from the need to address the root causes of educational inequities, such as underfunding, segregation, and systemic racism. The focus on test scores becomes a convenient way to avoid addressing the real problems.

4. The War on Drugs as a Tool of Oppression

We knew we couldn’t make it illegal to be either against the war or black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and blacks with heroin, and then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities.

Racialized drug policy. The book exposes how the war on drugs has been used as a tool to target and oppress black communities, leading to mass incarceration and the destruction of families and neighborhoods.

• The crack cocaine epidemic was used to justify harsher sentencing laws that disproportionately affected black people.
• The focus on urban centers as the locus of drug use led to increased policing and surveillance in black neighborhoods.
• The war on drugs created a cycle of poverty and incarceration that has had a devastating impact on black communities.

Profit motive. The book reveals how the privatization of prisons has created a profit motive for mass incarceration, further perpetuating the cycle of oppression.

• Private prison companies are incentivized to keep prisons full, leading to lobbying for harsher sentencing laws.
• The prison industry has become a powerful force in American politics, shaping policy and public discourse.
• The book shows how the war on drugs has become a lucrative business, with devastating consequences for black communities.

Dehumanization of black youth. The book highlights how the war on drugs has contributed to the dehumanization of black youth, who are often portrayed as "superpredators" and treated as criminals. This dehumanization has justified harsh sentencing laws and the militarization of policing in black neighborhoods.

5. The Privatization of Public Goods

The new school was meant to attract middle-class families to Centennial Place and the surrounding neighborhood. This was critical for the developers.

Public resources for private gain. The book exposes how public resources, such as public housing and public schools, are increasingly being privatized for the benefit of private companies and developers.

• The HOPE VI program was used to demolish public housing and replace it with mixed-income developments that displaced low-income residents.
• Charter schools are often operated by for-profit companies that prioritize profit over the needs of students.
• Tax allocation districts (TADs) are used to divert public funds to private development projects.

Gentrification and displacement. The book shows how privatization efforts often lead to gentrification and the displacement of low-income residents, particularly black families.

• The redevelopment of public housing projects often results in a net loss of affordable housing units.
• Charter schools are often used as a tool to attract wealthier residents to gentrifying neighborhoods.
• These policies contribute to the erosion of black communities and the displacement of their residents.

Erosion of public institutions. The book reveals how privatization undermines public institutions, such as public schools and public housing, by diverting resources and eroding public trust. This creates a cycle of disinvestment and neglect that further harms marginalized communities.

6. The Fragility of Truth in the Face of Power

The evidence against us was flimsy at best, but this case wasn’t tried on evidence. It was tried on emotion.

Manipulation of narratives. The book demonstrates how powerful actors can manipulate narratives and distort the truth to serve their own interests.

• The media played a key role in shaping public opinion about the cheating scandal, often relying on sensationalism and stereotypes.
• Prosecutors used emotional appeals and misleading information to secure convictions.
• The book shows how the truth can be easily obscured by powerful forces.

Coercion and intimidation. The book reveals how law enforcement and prosecutors used coercion and intimidation tactics to obtain false confessions and testimonies.

• Teachers were threatened with job loss, prison time, and the loss of their pensions if they didn't cooperate.
• Witnesses were pressured to change their stories to fit the prosecution's narrative.
• The book shows how the pursuit of "truth" can be easily corrupted by the abuse of power.

The power of silence. The book highlights the power of silence and the importance of speaking out against injustice.

• The gag order imposed on the defendants prevented them from sharing their side of the story.
• The book shows how silence can be used to suppress dissent and maintain the status quo.
• The author's decision to speak out is an act of resistance against the forces that seek to silence her.

7. The Resilience of Community in the Face of Adversity

On any given day, seven or so kids would come over to play games with my brother, Jamal, and me. My mom would cook huge meals to feed us all. Then she would sit us down to do our homework and tutor us in reading and math.

Strength in unity. The book highlights the importance of community in the face of adversity, showing how people can come together to support one another and resist injustice.

• The author's family and friends provided unwavering support throughout her ordeal.
• The community rallied around the indicted educators, organizing prayer vigils and protests.
• The book shows how community can be a source of strength and resilience in the face of oppression.

Acts of resistance. The book demonstrates how individuals can resist injustice through acts of courage and defiance.

• The author's decision to fight the charges, despite the risks, is an act of resistance against a corrupt system.
• The teachers who spoke out against cheating, despite the threat of retaliation, are also examples of resistance.
• The book shows how even small acts of resistance can have a powerful impact.

Hope for the future. The book offers a message of hope, suggesting that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, it is possible to create a more just and equitable world. The author's commitment to her son and her community is a testament to the power of hope and resilience.

8. The Importance of Historical Context

“You have to know where you come from to know where you’re going,” he often told me.

Understanding the past. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding history in order to make sense of the present and shape the future.

• The author's family history, rooted in teaching and social justice activism, provides a context for her own experiences.
• The book traces the history of urban renewal, the war on drugs, and the privatization of public goods, revealing how these policies have shaped the present.
• By understanding the past, we can better understand the forces that have created the current system of inequality.

Challenging dominant narratives. The book challenges dominant narratives about education and poverty, offering a more nuanced and historically informed perspective.

• The book critiques the "culture of poverty" narrative, which blames individuals for systemic problems.
• The book reveals how the "achievement gap" is not simply a matter of individual effort but a product of historical and ongoing injustices.
• By challenging dominant narratives, we can create space for more just and equitable solutions.

Learning from the past. The book suggests that by learning from the mistakes of the past, we can create a better future. The author's story is a call to action, urging readers to challenge injustice and work towards a more equitable world.

9. The Power of Individual Agency

I had found my path, and it was a righteous one. I still had no idea how problematic TFA really was.

Making choices. Despite the overwhelming forces of systemic injustice, the book emphasizes the power of individual agency and the importance of making conscious choices.

• The author's decision to become a teacher, despite the challenges, is an act of agency.
• Her decision to fight the charges, despite the risks, is another example of her agency.
• The book shows how individuals can make a difference, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

Taking responsibility. The book also highlights the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions and choices.

• The author acknowledges her own naivete and the limitations of her initial beliefs about education.
• She takes responsibility for her role in the system, even as she challenges the system itself.
• The book shows how individual responsibility is essential for creating a more just and equitable world.

Finding your path. The book encourages readers to find their own path and to use their unique talents and skills to make a difference. The author's story is an inspiration to others who are seeking to create positive change in their communities.

10. The Need for Systemic Change

The Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal was a distraction that deferred the real reckoning that we need to have.

Beyond individual solutions. The book argues that individual solutions are not enough to address the systemic problems that plague public education and marginalized communities.

• The focus on individual "cheating" distracts from the need to address the root causes of educational inequities.
• The book shows how systemic problems require systemic solutions.
• The author's story is a call for systemic change, not just individual reform.

Challenging power structures. The book encourages readers to challenge power structures and to demand accountability from those in positions of authority.

• The book exposes the role of corporate interests in shaping education policy.
• It reveals how powerful actors can manipulate narratives and distort the truth to serve their own interests.
• The author's story is a call to action, urging readers to challenge injustice and demand systemic change.

Creating a more just world. The book offers a vision of a more just and equitable world, where all children have access to quality education and where communities are empowered to shape their own destinies. The author's story is a testament to the power of hope and the possibility of creating a better future.

Last updated: January 20, 2025