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Introduction

By LaDawn B Jones

 

 

 

            From the moment Chris walked into my office, I saw him like a character in a book.  For more than a year Chris and I poured through his story, the evidence, and the “what if’s” at my desk.  I often told him he should write a book because he wanted his story told;, he had been held out as the “poster child” of the Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal, and his ego was big enough to handle the scrutiny that would come from his brutal honesty. 

 

            It wasn’t until traveling through LaGuardia Airport and I saw Rachel Aziz’ article in the New Yorker Magazine that I knew something needed to be done.  The cheating scandal, Chris Waller and Park’s Middle School was the topic of the cover story along with a ten page article.  I texted Chris before the plane took off and told him we had to write a book. I realized for the first time this was not a local issue.  The Nation wanted to know how the cheating occurred.  This book, from Chris’ perspective highlights what specifically was done by the teachers to produce false results.

 

            For a number of reasons, Chris was the best person to tell the story of the scandal that spanned years and included hundreds of educators.  Christopher Waller was exalted as the hero for his success in “beating the odds” as Principal of Parks Middle School.  When a State led analysis of erasure marks showed that Parks Middle School had the highest number of test with human intervention, he was quickly identified as the villain and again set out as the poster child.  Of all the defendants who entered voluntary guilty pleas, his sentence was the toughest.  During the majority of the media coverage, next to Superintendent, Dr. Beverly Hall herself; Christopher Waller was the number one face shown. 

 

            Chris, from the first meeting expressed how the hard work of his teachers was never discussed.  He swore they taught the children of Park’s Middle.  This book was his chance to tell his story.  But I also encouraged Chris to not only write a book telling his story, but use his experience to share what should have been done to improve the scores of the children from the poor community where Park’s is located.  The result is a book that includes all of the above as well as serving as a study of educational ethics in light of data, testing and technology.  As the only summary of the scandal from the view of an educator, as opposed to the media or a prosecutor, this book hopes to guide policy makers towards practices to detect, prevent and avoid cheating in American[GD1]  schools. 

 

            Although insistent about telling his story, Chris, as he explains in the book, did not always tell the true story, even to his lawyers.  I saw a breakthrough in Chris that began the day he decided to come in to the office and tell the truth and continued throughout the next several, painful meetings where I had to pry the details of the truth out of him.  However, his timing was impeccable.

 

            January 2014, the month Chris came clean, my book club’s ‘book of the month’ was “Good Self, Bad Self” by Judy Smith. Smith is best known as the real life “fixer” that the character, Olivia Pope on the ABC show Scandal, is based on. Smith’s book describes her method to solving the personal crisis’ of her clients by helping them to know, “the very same qualities that can make you a hero can also make you a villain.”  She explains that most crises start when someone has too much or too little of one or more of these seven traits: Ego, Denial, Fear, Ambition, Accommodation, Patience and Indulgence.  According to Smith, “All these attributes can be blessings as well as curses; they’re positive qualities when you manage them well and usually crate a crisis when you don’t.” 

 

Smith’s words were right on time and literally jumped of the page at me.  What I learned from the book could be applied to many clients I encounter in my legal practice.  However, it was clear no client has the magnitude of Ego and Denial as “Mr.” Christopher Waller.  It was that ego that Dr. Hall used to persuade Chris Waller into cheating his way to success of his students. 

 

Also included was an appendix which went over how one gives a sincere apology.  Smith says an apology, “can be one of the most important elements in preserving your good self and reputation.”  In that section, Smith gives some direct advice on strategizing with a crisis client.  I followed her steps like a manual and the result was a breakthrough by Chris Waller in my office. Smith’s steps include:

 

 

 

 

 

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“I start by interviewing him about what he wants to say[GD2] .  I want it to come from the hear – from his heart…I talk to the person for a long time about what he or she did, what the impact was on others, and what he or she wants to say to those who were hurt.”

 

Smith required that client’s “own” what they did to cause the crisis, not just in the apology but in their mind. Getting Chris to “own” his part was difficult. Even after he could freely say, “I orchestrated cheating,” he couldn’t put out the words to say what he specifically did.  When asked “describe what you did?” Chris’ vague and passive responses made it appear he was not being forthcoming. As a former prosecutor for the same office as the one handling the case against Chris, I knew what the State would want.  If a plea agreement, contingent on telling the truth and testifying at trial, was going to happen, Chris had to be able to say exactly what happened without any uncertainties. Chris had been working to disguise what had occurred since 2009 and it was like peeling an onion, layer by layer to get him comfortable with his truth.  

 

As I write this, the trial is still in the prosecution phase of what is expected to be a six month trial. Chris and I wrote this book contemporaneously with the trial, which means he is not likely to know the results of the trial against his former colleagues, including those he implicated. In that way this book shows Chris’ honesty. Readers know, based on the timing of this book, that Chris’ perceptions, opinions and apologetic stance is sincere.

 

Intertwined within the cheating scandal is the spark that led to the explosion of the culture of cheating, sex and drugs in the Atlanta Public School system. This case is national news because of the media. The unprecedented news coverage is why there is an unprecedented criminal prosecution with 12 defendants and lasting half of a year to trial. One of the longest trials in history. 

 

The Atlanta Journal and Constitution (AJC) credits itself with breaking this story. In fact, the investigation, as launched by the AJC in 2008, is cited throughout its website and coverage on the case. I recall smiling when going to the website of the AJC, never before had I seen a video of a newspaper journalist commenting on his print story. The newspaper itself had become a rock star in this case. For sure a Pulitzer and whatever other journalistic awards there are to gain are simply waiting for the conclusion of this trial. 

 

The outcome of the trial is inconsequential. The AJC, through its investigation, led to several dozen teachers and administrators admitting on the record they cheated on the exam. Even if the 12 defendants and Beverly Hall are found not guilty at trial, the AJC has a story. There is no other issue, the 1996 Olympic Games and its bombing included, that the AJC has covered with such fervor.

 

Having an inside look at the District Attorney, Paul Howard’s, love/hate relationship with some of the AJC journalist and all media. DA Howard is truly one of the smartest men I know, I consider him a mentor. However, like Judy Smith said, “blessings” and “curses.” The AJC pushed on Howard’s known agenda to win big to ensure this was not just a case, but “the” case.  Being a visionary beyond his time, Howard is known for hosting a grand ball when a small BBQ would suffice. The AJC used that to their advantage.

 

The published reports of the AJC were thorough and are included in this book as a backdrop to what Chris was experiencing and thinking at the time.  In addition to a thorough backdrop, the articles also highlight the inseparable and impactful role the media played in this case.