The test cheating scandals involving teachers and other school staff in the Atlanta school system have now progressed to the point where three-dozen school staffers have been indicted.

Kentucky had its own test cheating scandal on the state-run ACT testing program in Perry County several years ago. Several staff members received suspensions on their teaching credentials for failure to maintain adequate security over test booklets, but the actual person or persons who altered those test sheets were never identified.

It really isn’t known if the state’s new forensic test control procedures have the teeth to keep the Kentucky Performance Rating for Educational Progress tests honest. Hopefully, no cheating is occurring and there is nothing to detect.

However, the extensive cheating incidents in Atlanta – and our own Perry County – show that placing blind faith in educator honesty can create a disservice to our children.