The College Admission Scandal, also known as Operation Varsity Blues, came to light in 2019 and shook the higher education system in the United States. It exposed the dark underbelly of the college admission process by revealing unfair and illegal practices like bribery, falsification of academic records, and manipulation of test scores. As educators, it is essential to prepare students to understand the ethical implications of this event, engage in critical thinking about the issues raised, and encourage a fair approach to college admissions.
Setting The Stage For Discussion
1. Present the Facts: Start by presenting an overview of what happened during Operation Varsity Blues. Explain how individuals paid large amounts of money to help their children cheat on standardized tests or gain admission to elite colleges as fake athletic recruits. Use credible news sources like The New York Times or CNN to provide a factual account of the events leading up to the scandal.
2. Establish Context: Discuss how college admissions have become increasingly competitive over the years and explain that pressure can sometimes lead people to make unethical choices. Highlight the history of fraud in higher education and connect it with broader issues like wealth inequality and lack of access for underrepresented groups.
3. Encourage Empathy: Encourage students to think about how they would feel if they were unfairly denied a spot at their dream college because someone else cheated or bribed their way in. This exercise can help students develop emotional intelligence and broaden their perspectives on ethics.
Activities To Deepen Understanding
1. Documentary Viewing: To go beyond mere facts, screen documentaries such as “Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal” on Netflix for your students. This would help them grasp complex concepts better through real-life examples.
2. Group Discussions and Debates: Assign various groups among students with topics such as “The role of wealth and privilege in the admissions process” or “The impact of standardized testing on higher education.” Have students research and present their findings, followed by a debate where they both defend their position and challenge opposing views.
3. Case Studies: Provide students with real-life cases of ethical dilemmas related to college admissions and ask them to examine possible solutions or consequences. This activity can help students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
4. Role-playing: Assign roles such as an admissions officer or a wealthy parent, and ask students to participate in role-playing exercises to uncover the ethical issues at play in the scandal. This can help students better understand complex issues from various perspectives.
5. Encourage Reflection: Ask students to write a personal reflection on the college admissions scandal, including their opinions on the ethical implications, solutions for reforming the system, and what they’ve learned from this episode about fairness in higher education.
