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High School Secretary Changes Daughter's Grades Electronically
Categories: Teens & tweens, In The News
A mom takes her daughter's grades into her own hands. Photo: Marja Flick-Buijs/sxc.hu
Caroline Maria McNeal, a high school secretary and mom of a 2008 graduating senior did just that. Not only did she tamper with daughter Brittney's test scores -- in one case, changing her SAT score from 1370 to 1730 (which is actually kind of clever because it could just be perceived as a typo except that she put the score in a week before any other students' scores were entered) -- she also changed other student's grades as well so that Brittney's class standing would be improved.
Bad move, mom.
McNeal didn't just mess with SAT scores, though. Officials figure that since 2006, she's changed over 200 test scores or grades. Besides losing her job and likely causing her daughter a quite a bit of embarrassment, McNeal is facing criminal charges -- 29 felony counts each of unlawful use of a computer and tampering with public records. Her attempts to help her daughter "get ahead" may have instead gotten her time behind bars ... or at the very least, a pretty hefty fine.
So what was her motive -- was it to get Brittney into a better college? Or was it just bragging rights? McNeal's not commenting on the story, but I bet she's starting to understand that trying to make her daughter look smarter was a pretty dumb decision.
Here are some (legal) ways to help your teens improve their grades, and most experts say that a good night's sleep and a solid breakfast go a long way toward helping kids in school too.
What do you think? Does this mom deserve jail time for her actions? Or should she be let go with a fine and/or probation?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Meg 7-02-2009 @ 4:50PM
She should so be put in jail. You just can't do that.It messes up those other kids do.
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jan 7-02-2009 @ 7:04PM
she only deserves probation.... with the judgement that she'll be facing ...that's enough.....
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Gary 7-03-2009 @ 10:11AM
It's about time we start giving the proper punishement for this type of crime. By not doing so we are condoning it and others think they can do it too. Put some jail time to so called white collar crime and we will all be better for it. Giving a slap on the wrist is like saying it is ok. Correct punishment will make everyone think twice before doing such crimes.
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Mandy 7-02-2009 @ 7:32PM
It's one thing to mess with your child's grades, but it's something else to mess with other kids' grades too. I say the mom is a freakin' idiot and deserves jail time all the way.
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damoki 7-02-2009 @ 10:14PM
Every parent, worth that title, wants to help their kids; the question is, help them how. This mother focused on the destination rather than the trip, and in so doing, skipped many important lessons along the way.
I doubt she suddenly decided to start intervening for her daughter. If you could peer into her past, my bet is you will find many examples and variations of this type of protective behavior. This is about as destructive as a parent can get, because it steals her child’s opportunities to learn and grow from mistakes and shortcomings. Too many mothers (and fathers) use a similar style with the same result: kids feel entitled to reward without effort; they want to get to the top of the mountain without climbing.
Concerning jail, I hope the laws in that jurisdiction will address the issue. I personally believe some type of punishment beyond the ubiquitous “wrist slap” would be appropriate; besides, being sent to your room does have an effect, especially if the door has bars.
Failing that, the authorities should allow all the mothers who’s children were adversely effected to have at her…..
DaMoKi
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jen 7-03-2009 @ 3:04AM
Jail seems over the top for this type of crime. I believe having her fired, her record tarnished, her daughter embarassed, and have the mother do community service and of course pay a fine will be enough imo.
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Carlos 7-03-2009 @ 11:15AM
As a teacher, parent, and blogger, it is easy to understand what fuels this. Students are under tremendous pressure today to get into the "best" college. I hear the concerns daily from students and parents. In my recent blog post, I asked the question should parents monitor their child's facebook acct? at http://morethangrades.com The reason for the post was that parents are involved in nearly every aspect of their child's life. I seems to reach its peak around the time of applying to college. I think this type of behavior is going to get worse before it gets better given how competitive scholarships are not getting, both academic and athletic. If our sports stars and celebrities can cheat and get away with it, why not parents?
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