None of the Above

The Untold Story of the Atlanta Public Schools Cheating Scandal, Corporate Greed , and the Criminalization of Educators

By: Shani Robinson, Anna Simonton

Narrated by: Lisa Renee Pitts

An insider’s account of the infamous Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal which scapegoated black employees for problems caused by an education reform movement that is increasingly a proxy for corporate greed.

In March of 2013, thirty-five black educators in Atlanta Public Schools were charged with racketeering and conspiracy—the same charges used to bring down the American mafia—for allegedly changing students’ answers on standardized tests. The youngest of the accused, Shani Robinson had taught for only three years and was a new mother when she was wrongfully convicted and faced up to 20 years in prison.

In None of the Above, Robinson and journalist Anna Simonton explore how racist policies and practices cheated generations of black children out of opportunities long before some teachers tampered with tests. Examining the corporate education reform movement, hyper-policing in black communities, cycles of displacement and gentrification, and widening racial and economic disparities in Atlanta, they reveal how the financially powerful have profited from privatization and the dismantling of public education. Against this backdrop, they cast the story of the cheating scandal in a new light, illuminating a deeply flawed investigation and a circus-like trial spun into a media sensation that defied justice.

A Great Read About an Unfortunate Event

Since I know education and a few of the players in the APS scandal, I was curious to hear a first-hand account of what happened. This book is quite interesting and the audiobook allowed me to do other things while listening. Our children deserve honest assessments of their skills and abilities so that we can address their deficits and improve their learning and achievement. The heavy reliance on test scores contributed to what happened in APS. The focus should always be on teaching and learning, our core business!!

Riveting and infuriating

This book is so good & Shani is a badass. She fights for her students and colleagues both in and out of the classroom and the courtroom, and still has time to be one half of the most adorable couple ever. My facial expressions went from outraged WHAT to a huge dumb grin. The narrator is also amazing, I legit thought Shani was reading it because she puts so much conviction and humor behind her voice. So, so good.

Must Read

Fascinating account of this story. Very different than the media take, which makes me want to go research the trial transcript and video.

So much more than I expected

I never knew how much I could learn from one book. This was impeccably researched and phenomenally written. I couldn't stop listening. I recommend that everyone who cares about our society read this book. I'm buying a paper copy now.

A well constructed story

This was an interesting overview the scandal and the historical circumstances surrounding it. As a biopic it is one sided but entirely believable and well researched.