Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott announced yesterday he’s launched a probe into charges of grade-tampering to improperly pass failing students and inflate school graduation rates — complaints first exposed by The Post.
Walcott said he has already received two dozen e-mails from school whistleblowers following Post columnist Michael Goodwin’s reports from teachers who claimed they were pressured by higher-ups to pass students, despite shoddy attendance and poor grades.
“My e-mail was publicized in your paper. I have received a number of e-mails from individuals,” Walcott said.
He added that he has personally responded to the e-mails, thanking the whistleblowers and promising to inform them of the results of his investigation in each case.
Walcott’s office declined to release the contents of the claims yesterday, to protect confidentiality.
The chancellor emphasized that he takes charges of grade-tampering and social promotion seriously, and that’s why he asked The Post to publish his e-mail address — DMWalcott@schools.nyc.gov — to personally review the complaints.
The Walcott probe comes as some education advocates question whether the academic gains of the New York City school system in recent years are real.
The probe also comes as the state Board of Regents has begun to ratchet up graduation and promotion standards after admitting its standardized exams had become predictably easy.
“I’m pleased that Dennis is looking into this. We, too, have gotten reports about grade inflation and cheating,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch.
She admitted that accountability pressures were driving some principals and teachers to cut corners.
“There are going to be people who don’t follow the rules. It’s human nature to try to show improvement,” she said.
But Tisch cautioned not to paint with a broad brush.
“Is there wholesale grade inflation? I don’t think so,” she said. “You are dealing with, by and large, a decent and honorable school workforce.”