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Re:
A sad testimony, isn't it, luster? Hopefully this type of behavior isn't "universal!" I'm sure it wasn't when I was in school! 
posted by
JimmyA
on November 29, 2012 at 7:49 AM
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just shows you what the schools systems have come to
posted by
Lanetay
on November 28, 2012 at 5:11 PM
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Re: JimmyA
That's probably true, Justi. The teachers of my day actually cared about our education, and made damned sure we were paying attention each day and doing the work required. Nowadays, if a student gets a poor grade, the parents go to the school and complain, and suddenly their child is getting A's and B's ( I've heard of this happening several times from the parents of others students ). I hate to sound so cynical, but I no longer take any stock, or have any high regard, for those bumper stickers on various people's cars that read "Proud parent of an Honor Student!" Today, most kids just have to show up to class to be on the honor roll, so where's the challenge or reward?
posted by
JimmyA
on November 28, 2012 at 8:34 AM
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Re:
I think, Bright, that what happens is, some of these people in authority in the educational system get enormous salaries, whether the schools in their districts do well or not. Of course it then trickles down to the teachers themselves, most of whom actually care about the students. But those odd few who are only interested in receiving a paycheck will pass the "troublesome" students along to the next grade, and let the next teacher worry about them! It's a horrible system, one that seems to get worse and worse with each passing year! 
posted by
JimmyA
on November 28, 2012 at 8:30 AM
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Re: You asked about submitting a novel online...
Thanks, Pat. I might just have to do that! I have plenty of "stuff" waiting in the wings, and this might work out perfectly to get something published! 
posted by
JimmyA
on November 28, 2012 at 8:26 AM
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JimmyA
I am totally amazed at the character of teachers in general today and how they differ from those I had in school. We learned so differently and in my opinion more importantly.
posted by
Justi
on November 28, 2012 at 7:46 AM
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Hi .. You told this case very well and I agree there are far to many cheaters and people who seek reward without any effort on their part. Our educational system leaves much to be desired and its difficult to understand how those in charge do not regognize their responsibility to the future.
posted by
BrightIrish
on November 27, 2012 at 6:34 PM
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You asked about submitting a novel online...
For National Novel Writing Month, go to the website, register a screen name and email address, etc., before Nov. 1st. Then check in, follow the on-screen menu, and from time to time during the month of November, post the word count. After Nov. 27 and before midnight on Nov. 30, copy and paste the file. They don't keep a copy, they just verify the document's word count. The "win" is for the race itself, getting the words written - not the content.
In case you want to check out the NaNoWriMo site, Google National Novel Writing Month.
For publisher's websites, when you're submitting a novel to them - one which meets their submission & formatting requirements - you may send it as an email attachment, or they may want everything pasted into the body of your email.
posted by
Pat_B
on November 27, 2012 at 2:28 PM
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Re: Re: Re: There is some hope in the fact that he didn't get away with it forever.
That's true, Ciel, but I hope you can understand my slight fears. The positives should outweigh the negatives, but it's a conflict that involves everyone! Yes, perhaps because of scams like these being brought out into the open, such behavior will diminish, and then hopefully disappear altogether! That would be nice . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on November 27, 2012 at 1:57 PM
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Re: Re: There is some hope in the fact that he didn't get away with it forever.
At least now they know they are on the radar. That should discourage a few of them. There is always hope. We're in real trouble if we give up our faith that things can be made better.
posted by
Ciel
on November 27, 2012 at 1:26 PM
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Re:
I hope not too, adnohr! We already read and hear of botched surgeries going on by competent doctors! We definitely don't need any Dr. Nick's from The Simpsons, who preform surgery while reading a text book!
posted by
JimmyA
on November 27, 2012 at 8:32 AM
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Re:
I believe, Utah, that I too had my share of "goofing off" time, as did a lot of the kids of my day. But you're right . . . we still learned! And I'm fairly certain that the teachers of my ( our ) day got their certificates legitimately! And I wonder if Mrs. Marks would have allowed you to sit under her desk if she was using it!
posted by
JimmyA
on November 27, 2012 at 8:29 AM
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Re:
As you should be, TAPS. I didn't mean to make such a blanket assessment about today's kids being dumb. Yes of course there are many who keep their noses to the grindstone, work very hard and diligently, and have earned every high mark they have ever received. However, the percentages of those students around the country who continually fail their SAT's, college entrance exams and flunk out of high school is on the rise! And now some of the teacher's can take the blame, because they cheated to get their teaching certificates. The numbers don't lie . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on November 27, 2012 at 8:27 AM
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Re: JimmyA
Thanks, Wiley. I actually hope I'm not here to witness the mess either! And a mess it will be! I guess the term "the blind leading the blind" is somewhat apropos for this situation!
posted by
JimmyA
on November 27, 2012 at 8:23 AM
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Re: That is so terrible but why aren't I surprised.
It is, Kabu. And it's one of those situations that will have long-term side-affects that others will feel down the road. Certain students having difficulty with certain topics that force them to cheat a little on tests is almost understandable ( almost ). But to cheat to receive the certificate to teach these kids is just beyond comprehension, at least to me. What a system . . . ! 
posted by
JimmyA
on November 27, 2012 at 8:20 AM
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Re: Jimmy
Help yourself, Naut. I too have a few tales about teachers and schools that I could write a couple of blogs about. I can only say that I am honestly glad that I am no longer in school, and without children, this type of thing doesn't really affect me at all . . . yet! It will one day come to a head once these underachieving and mis-taught kids go out into the world and I'll need one of them to fix my car or wait on me at a department store! Then we'll really see how much of an education they actually got!
posted by
JimmyA
on November 27, 2012 at 8:17 AM
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Re: There is some hope in the fact that he didn't get away with it forever.
Perhaps, Ciel. But like I'm sure many people are thinking right now, how many more of these types of scams are going on around the country that we have yet to discover? Cheaters aren't supposed to benefit or profit from their deceptions, but in this case, there are others involved who will suffer right along with them. I hope there's still hope . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on November 27, 2012 at 8:13 AM
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Re:
Probably more, FSI, than you might think. Many a student is simply passed along on the "educational assembly line," and are woefully unprepared once they graduate high school. It certainly doesn't help that they are supposedly being educated by people ill-prepared themselves!
posted by
JimmyA
on November 27, 2012 at 8:09 AM
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Re: Me too!
Thanks, Katray. Yeah, I guess he did think he was brilliant for getting away with it for so long. But you have to assume that it would have fallen apart sooner or later. I think if I was an aspiring teacher, I would have been ashamed to have been involved in such a scam, and would have wanted to take that test on my own. Too bad many others didn't feel that way.
posted by
JimmyA
on November 27, 2012 at 8:07 AM
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Geez - it seems everytime we turn around there is cheating going on in one place or another. I hope doctors aren't buying diplomas....
posted by
adnohr
on November 27, 2012 at 1:20 AM
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My favorite teacher was Mrs. Marks in Jr. High. She always made me sit under her desk, (she never used it) because I had a tendency to goof off, but I learned.
posted by
UtahJay
on November 26, 2012 at 11:22 PM
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Well, I must say that not all students are dumb. There are some really intelligent ones out there who are the leaders in academics and performance. Some of them are my own family and I am very proud of them.
posted by
TAPS.
on November 26, 2012 at 10:17 PM
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JimmyA
Well JimmyA at least in their future I won't be here to watch the mess. LOL Good post old buddy.
posted by
WileyJohn
on November 26, 2012 at 7:48 PM
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That is so terrible but why aren't I surprised.
My son has just finished his MBA...took him a few years with work, community commitment and a wife and three kids that have been growing into teens.
Anyway he may never have done it because he hates exams thought a Masters degree owuld be all assignments but had to sit all the exams. That is because students pay someone else to do assignments and then collect the degree. by having to do the exam with proof od ID. they quickly drop away. But it is real sad the cheats in the World.
posted by
Kabu
on November 26, 2012 at 7:11 PM
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Jimmy
That doesn't surprise me in the least. I have a few tales of my own about teachers, maybe I'll do a post on it...
posted by
Nautikos
on November 26, 2012 at 4:52 PM
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There is some hope in the fact that he didn't get away with it forever.
posted by
Ciel
on November 26, 2012 at 11:53 AM
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It's ashame that this was going on. I wonder how many more scam artists are at work that are yet to be uncovered in education.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on November 26, 2012 at 9:44 AM
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Me too!
Incredible story about the scam; the perp must have thought he was brilliant for getting away with it for so long. Our educational system is a mess. Liked your ending ditty, lol!
posted by
Katray2
on November 26, 2012 at 8:17 AM
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