Massive cheating scheme for elite college admissions, via ACT testing and fake athletic recruiting

Many wealthier families who are able to hire private psychologists to diagnose learning issues which gets them extra time for all testing in high school and for standardized tests has been going on for a long time. Otherwise it’s left up to the public or private schools to diagnose. I read an article recently where they said approximately 10% of Harvard students had extra time and used mind focusing drugs like Adderal that was provided by Harvard. In my children’s high school you would hear wealthier students laugh that they didn’t have to study because they had extra time on tests and that they thought it was hilarious they got a 35 or 36 on the ACT while abusing the system. These kids are in very rigorous honors classes at an elite private high school. 100% of kids go to college with about 25% going to elite schools. It was really infuriating seeing how much time my kids spent studying to get good grades and scores while these kids abused the system. I’m fine with kids who actually really need extra time but to me if it is highly abused in affluent areas.
I know what you are saying but one of my kids got extra time for his ACT test and gets extra time for his tests in college. Many of these kids are very smart and sometimes brilliant but have trouble dealing with tests and even the environment of taking a test. I can tell you that my son ACT scores were terrible even with all of the accommodations he received. Just like everything else, people will always abuse and take advantage of help provided to those who need it. My kid went to a school that only deals with these types of students and it is important that they be provided to them. And yes a couple of the kids in my sons class got a 32 on their ACT scores. They however wouldnt have been able have obtained those scores without the accommodations . They learn diferently and and need to be tested differently. Having said that, I agree wth your comment
 
is it still sexist if it's true?
  • Hedy Lemarr - Actress and scientist/inventor of the frequency hopping technology that led to modern wireless communications.
  • Natalie Portman - Actress and twice published (co-author) in the field of Neuropsychology while studying at Harvard.
  • Mayim Balik (from Big Bang Theory) - Actress and PhD in Neuroscience.
 
is it still sexist if it's true?
  • Hedy Lemarr - Actress and scientist/inventor of the frequency hopping technology that led to modern wireless communications.
  • Natalie Portman - Actress and twice published (co-author) in the field of Neuropsychology while studying at Harvard.
  • Mayim Balik (from Big Bang Theory) - Actress and PhD in Neuroscience.
There are brilliant people in all fields but in general i think actors and actresses think they are a lot smarter than they really are.
 
My two cents: Rowan Atkinson, aka Mr. Bean, M.S. Electrical Engineering, Queen’s College, Oxford.
 
Bribery has existed throughout history. But this one is different to me. So many coaches are involved, and from so many different states. The testing companies are involved, or at least their employees. The level of security needed when taking the SAT is over-the-top. Obviously this security is useless if a proctor can fly into CA from TX and take the test for a kid. The cheating going on here is at a new level. If $ was handed to an insider and a kid slipped through the cracks, at least that's good old fashioned bribery. But this is such a complex system. And I am sure this is only the tip of the iceberg. Many, many more names will be made public as the plea bargaining begins.

This is exactly what’s getting me! The level and amount of people. Like I said, I can comprehend one scheme. It makes sense that one can happen. But the layers upon layers of people and institutions that went along with this guy (Singer) are almost incomprehensible. And since 2011! With that many people and institutions involved, how has no one let something slip? Is it the sheer magnitude of the money involved? Or is it all so status quo, that it didn’t matter? I just cannot wrap my head around how many different elements exist in this...
 
That’s why we have the RICO Act. That guy will get John Gotti’s bunk. His bigger problem, going forward, may be that he’s a rat.
 
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There are brilliant people in all fields but in general i think actors and actresses think they are a lot smarter than they really are
What you state is true, Humey. The other poster was implying a gender bias.
"Actresses are not bright" is not equal to "No one ever said that actresses are bright". English is at least as important as science.

And for the record, actors are generally just as dumb as actresses. So unless the Hollywood gilded elite are part of some protected class I'm not aware of , no one should be offended.
 
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Bribery has existed throughout history. But this one is different to me. So many coaches are involved, and from so many different states. The testing companies are involved, or at least their employees. The level of security needed when taking the SAT is over-the-top. Obviously this security is useless if a proctor can fly into CA from TX and take the test for a kid. The cheating going on here is at a new level. If $ was handed to an insider and a kid slipped through the cracks, at least that's good old fashioned bribery. But this is such a complex system. And I am sure this is only the tip of the iceberg. Many, many more names will be made public as the plea bargaining begins.

This is exactly what’s getting me! The level and amount of people. Like I said, I can comprehend one scheme. It makes sense that one can happen. But the layers upon layers of people and institutions that went along with this guy (Singer) are almost incomprehensible. And since 2011! With that many people and institutions involved, how has no one let something slip? Is it the sheer magnitude of the money involved? Or is it all so status quo, that it didn’t matter? I just cannot wrap my head around how many different elements exist in this...
Now Singer is saying that over 750 families used his 'services' over the years.
 
In his early years of high school, our son began to exhibit some disturbing signs which indicated that he might be a moron. I'll pass over the worst incidents, including those involving law enforcement, and simply note this was irrefutably confirmed when he was caught sleeping in the bed of his pick-up truck during study hall. My wife and I resigned ourselves to this dismal fact and vowed to love him no less than our other children. One day his SAT results arrived, and we gathered round to provide support. When he opened the envelope, we were stunned at first but then filled with immense pride - our son had become the first moron in the history our state to get an 800 on the College Boards.

In light of today's breaking news, it is apparent what really happened: Felicity Huffman took the SATs for him. Do we have to report this to Cadet Command?
 
For @Devil Doc
Wouldn't want to meet these guys in a dark alley...very courageous.
 
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Many wealthier families who are able to hire private psychologists to diagnose learning issues which gets them extra time for all testing in high school and for standardized tests has been going on for a long time. Otherwise it’s left up to the public or private schools to diagnose. I read an article recently where they said approximately 10% of Harvard students had extra time and used mind focusing drugs like Adderal that was provided by Harvard. In my children’s high school you would hear wealthier students laugh that they didn’t have to study because they had extra time on tests and that they thought it was hilarious they got a 35 or 36 on the ACT while abusing the system. These kids are in very rigorous honors classes at an elite private high school. 100% of kids go to college with about 25% going to elite schools. It was really infuriating seeing how much time my kids spent studying to get good grades and scores while these kids abused the system. I’m fine with kids who actually really need extra time but to me if it is highly abused in affluent areas.

I had parents tell me this was going in my kids HS on Long Island when they attended. The diagnosing test must be done by a school physician, not a Dr. paid by the parent...Like that will ever happen.
 
In his early years of high school, our son began to exhibit some disturbing signs which indicated that he might be a moron. I'll pass over the worst incidents, including those involving law enforcement, and simply note this was irrefutably confirmed when he was caught sleeping in the bed of his pick-up truck during study hall. My wife and I resigned ourselves to this dismal fact and vowed to love him no less than our other children. One day his SAT results arrived, and we gathered round to provide support. When he opened the envelope, we were stunned at first but then filled with immense pride - our son had become the first moron in the history our state to get an 800 on the College Boards.

In light of today's breaking news, it is apparent what really happened: Felicity Huffman took the SATs for him. Do we have to report this to Cadet Command?
There is no connection between intelligence and common sense
 
In his early years of high school, our son began to exhibit some disturbing signs which indicated that he might be a moron. I'll pass over the worst incidents, including those involving law enforcement, and simply note this was irrefutably confirmed when he was caught sleeping in the bed of his pick-up truck during study hall. My wife and I resigned ourselves to this dismal fact and vowed to love him no less than our other children. One day his SAT results arrived, and we gathered round to provide support. When he opened the envelope, we were stunned at first but then filled with immense pride - our son had become the first moron in the history our state to get an 800 on the College Boards.

In light of today's breaking news, it is apparent what really happened: Felicity Huffman took the SATs for him. Do we have to report this to Cadet Command?
There is no connection between intelligence and common sense

Thanks for the clarification, Captain Obvious
 
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