OOPS..stupid n00b....mom busted for hacking into school computer to change her daughters grades

[Wheezer]

http://www.timesleader.com/Abi...s/ap?articleID=2413702

A high school secretary illegally changed grades in a school computer system to improve her daughter's class standing, according to criminal charges filed Thursday.

Caroline Maria McNeal of Huntingdon is accused of using the passwords of three co-workers without their knowledge to tamper with dozens of grades and test scores between May 2006 and July 2007 at Huntingdon Area High School in central Pennsylvania, the state attorney general's office said.

McNeal, 39, is alleged to have improved her daughter Brittany's grades and reduced those of two classmates to enhance Brittany's standing in the 2008 graduating class.

School officials corrected the grades before the students graduated, prosecutors said.

Attorney General Tom Corbett said the case involves "a serious violation of the public trust."

"Our citizens depend on people in public positions, including school employees, to protect the safety and security of these records and not use confidential information for their own benefit," Corbett said.

McNeal was charged with 29 counts of unlawful use of a computer and 29 counts of tampering with public records. Each count is a third-degree felony punishable by a maximum of seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine, said Nils Frederiksen, a spokesman for Corbett's office.

No telephone number was listed for Caroline McNeal. Brittany McNeal is not charged with any wrongdoing.

Jill Adams, the school district superintendent, said prosecutors have asked school officials not to comment publicly about the case.

"We would like to have it be finished, over and done," she said.

In all, McNeal is accused of altering nearly 200 scores and grades covering four school years.

The situation came to light in October 2007, when an employee of the high school guidance office discovered conflicting SAT scores for Brittany.

Scores provided directly by the College Board showed a cumulative score of 1370, while an unknown source had previously entered 1730, according to court papers.1

Further investigation revealed that the data had been entered from Caroline McNeal's computer starting more than a week before SAT scores for other students were entered.

Three other secretaries at the school told investigators they had shared their passwords with Caroline McNeal during vacations or other prolonged absences

 

[arcenite]

The situation came to light in October 2007, when an employee of the high school guidance office discovered conflicting SAT scores for Brittany.

she got greedy

 

[Exterous]

Scores provided directly by the College Board showed a cumulative score of 1370, while an unknown source had previously entered 1730, according to court papers.1 Further investigation revealed that the data had been entered from Caroline McNeal's computer starting more than a week before SAT scores for other students were entered.

Thats quite a change there. And a week before? Come on - use at least a little common sense

 

[Jeff7]

We demand McNeal! STOP STALLING!

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Originally posted by: Jeff7
We demand McNeal! STOP STALLING!

:music:
Single Female Lawyer
Fighting for her clients
Wearing sexy mini skirts
And being self-reliant

Single Female Lawyer
Having lots of sex
:music:

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: arcenite

The situation came to light in October 2007, when an employee of the high school guidance office discovered conflicting SAT scores for Brittany.

she got greedy

That happens often in life.

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: The Boston Dangler

Originally posted by: Jeff7
We demand McNeal! STOP STALLING!

:music:
Single Female Lawyer
Fighting for her clients
Wearing sexy mini skirts
And being self-reliant

Single Female Lawyer
Having lots of sex
:music:

LRRR: This is an outrage! I demand to know what happened to the plucky lawyer and her compellingly short garment.

 

[goog40]

What's the point in altering the high school's records of the SAT scores? Don't you have to have the College Board send the scores directly to the colleges when you apply anyways?

With a 1370 out of 2400 there's probably hundreds of students ahead of her in the class standings. I wonder why she chose to lower just those two classmates' scores.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: The Boston Dangler

Originally posted by: Jeff7
We demand McNeal! STOP STALLING!

:music:
Single Female Lawyer
Fighting for her clients
Wearing sexy mini skirts
And being self-reliant

Single Female Lawyer
Having lots of sex
:music:

:thumbsup:

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: Exterous

Scores provided directly by the College Board showed a cumulative score of 1370, while an unknown source had previously entered 1730, according to court papers.1 Further investigation revealed that the data had been entered from Caroline McNeal's computer starting more than a week before SAT scores for other students were entered.

Thats quite a change there. And a week before? Come on - use at least a little common sense

1370 is pretty low to begin with.

 

[halik]

Going from 1370 to 1730 is pretty clever though, looks like a regular typo.
I'm surprised they actually caught it, data correction like that is nearly impossible to catch with people's eyes.

 

[Anonemous]

for a minute there I thought the max SAT score was 1600, guess I'm too old...

 

[RaistlinZ]

Originally posted by: andylawcc

Originally posted by: Exterous

Scores provided directly by the College Board showed a cumulative score of 1370, while an unknown source had previously entered 1730, according to court papers.1 Further investigation revealed that the data had been entered from Caroline McNeal's computer starting more than a week before SAT scores for other students were entered.

Thats quite a change there. And a week before? Come on - use at least a little common sense

1370 is pretty low to begin with.

No kidding 1370 is pretty damn embarrassing. Even McDonalds would reject her job application what that kind of a score.

 

[MrMatt]

Originally posted by: RaistlinZ

Originally posted by: andylawcc

Originally posted by: Exterous

Scores provided directly by the College Board showed a cumulative score of 1370, while an unknown source had previously entered 1730, according to court papers.1 Further investigation revealed that the data had been entered from Caroline McNeal's computer starting more than a week before SAT scores for other students were entered.

Thats quite a change there. And a week before? Come on - use at least a little common sense

1370 is pretty low to begin with.

No kidding 1370 is pretty damn embarrassing. Even McDonalds would reject her job application what that kind of a score.

is that on the old 1600 point one? or the new 2400 point one.

And look how old that story is, why is it just getting posted now. We're halfway through 2009.

 

[TheVrolok]

Originally posted by: RaistlinZ

Originally posted by: andylawcc

Originally posted by: Exterous

Scores provided directly by the College Board showed a cumulative score of 1370, while an unknown source had previously entered 1730, according to court papers.1 Further investigation revealed that the data had been entered from Caroline McNeal's computer starting more than a week before SAT scores for other students were entered.

Thats quite a change there. And a week before? Come on - use at least a little common sense

1370 is pretty low to begin with.

No kidding 1370 is pretty damn embarrassing. Even McDonalds would reject her job application what that kind of a score.

I know nothing of the new SAT grade scale.. but I get that's almost half of 2400.. is that similar to scoring like a 900 on the old SAT?

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: Anonemous
for a minute there I thought the max SAT score was 1600, guess I'm too old...

Yes, me too. I guess 1,600 is the old scale.

<---- Old.

 

[miketheidiot]

Originally posted by: Wheezer


Scores provided directly by the College Board showed a cumulative score of 1370, while an unknown source had previously entered 1730, according to court papers.1

[/quote]

thats a pretty terrible score lol.

 

[miketheidiot]

Originally posted by: goog40
What's the point in altering the high school's records of the SAT scores? Don't you have to have the College Board send the scores directly to the colleges when you apply anyways?

With a 1370 out of 2400 there's probably hundreds of students ahead of her in the class standings. I wonder why she chose to lower just those two classmates' scores.

with a 1370 she probably was in the bottom quarter.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Originally posted by: miketheidiot

Originally posted by: goog40
What's the point in altering the high school's records of the SAT scores? Don't you have to have the College Board send the scores directly to the colleges when you apply anyways?

With a 1370 out of 2400 there's probably hundreds of students ahead of her in the class standings. I wonder why she chose to lower just those two classmates' scores.

with a 1370 she probably was in the bottom quarter.

Close, she was about the bottom third...

Percentile.....Score
99+.............=2290
99...............=2200
98...............=2140
97...............=2100
88...............=1900
83...............=1800
78...............=1770
72...............=1700
61...............=1600
48...............=1500
36...............=1400
15...............=1200
4.................=1010
1...................=790

 

[EMPshockwave82]

Would have been cheaper in the long run to get a tutor for her child. It says that all grades were changed back before graduation and I really hope that is the case. I think she should have to pay fines of $500 to $1,000 per grade changed and serve tons of hours of community service. I'm not sure "up to 7 years in prison" is necessary. Personal fines and community service should fix the behavior.

 

[venkman]

I got a 1370 on my SATs also!!! Granted it was out of 1600 at the time.

 

[venkman]

Originally posted by: EMPshockwave82
Would have been cheaper in the long run to get a tutor for her child. It says that all grades were changed back before graduation and I really hope that is the case. I think she should have to pay fines of $500 to $1,000 per grade changed and serve tons of hours of community service. I'm not sure "up to 7 years in prison" is necessary. Personal fines and community service should fix the behavior.

Exactly, She is a non-violent offender and there is absolutely NO REASON a full capable working person should be a drain on the economy like this. Probation, Community service, fines, and possibly house arrest are all that is needed.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: goog40
What's the point in altering the high school's records of the SAT scores? Don't you have to have the College Board send the scores directly to the colleges when you apply anyways?

With a 1370 out of 2400 there's probably hundreds of students ahead of her in the class standings. I wonder why she chose to lower just those two classmates' scores.

Fortunately, criminals also tend to be stupid and shortsighted.