The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "exams" ...
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Prescription For Cheating
Our investigation revealed a long-time practice in which radiologists have cheated on their board exams. We found these doctors actually memorized the test questions and answers and even created elaborate Power Points with the information shared among residents at radiology programs across the United States.
Tags: Radiologists; radiology; board exams; cheating
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Firefighters' Explosion
There weren't any eye witnesses or physical evidence against five Kansas City residents sentenced to life in prison after six firefighters died in arson fires ten years earlier. Concerns from local journalists and some prosecutors questioned the convictions, sparking the Star to exam the case.
Tags: criminal investigation; testimony; Emanuel Cleaver; alibi; Bryan Sheppard; ATF;
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A Class Apart
This book follows the lives of several students and teachers at Stuyvesant High School, including a 17-year-old heroin addict, a 10-year-old prodigy and a depressed teacher. The school is public but has a rigorous entrance exam that only 3 percent pass. The book addresses racial themes, explores the concept of elitism in education, and examines the education system in the United States.
Tags: high school; education; prodigies; addicts; race; elitism; private schools; public schools; Stuyvesant High School; New York City;
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Recruiters Sex
For six months, the Associated Press investigated and found that "more than 100 young women were preyed upon sexually by their recruiters. Women were raped on recruiting office couches, assaulted in government cars and groped en route to entrance exams." The AP report said "more than 80 recruiters were disciplined" for this conduct. In addition, the Army, which makes up almost half of the U.S.' entire military, "has had 722 recruiters accused of rape and sexual misconduct since 1996." Those who are disciplined often receive a reduced rank and forfeited wages, but rarely face prosecution. Some of the cases did involve romantic relationships, which were sometimes initiated by the women.
Tags: Armed forces; U.S. military; sexual assault; sexual harrassment; Army recruiters; military recruiters
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Primetime Thursday -- Caught Cheating
This Primetime investigation examined highschools and colleges across the United States, and found that cheating is all too common. Reporters talked with students who cheat and administrators who have to dole out the punishment. The investigation exposed new, high tech methods of cheating such as text messaging or hand-held internet devices. On the other hand, it also exposed new high-tech methods of catching cheaters, such as a website that scans documents for plagiarism. The investigators talked with students and parents to offer possible reasons for this trend.
Tags: high school; secondary school; college; university; testing; exams; finals; academic honesty; ethics; professors
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Failing students getting promoted
Despite the high numbers of students who failed statewide reading and math exams, Ohio area schools continue to pass them to higher grades, regardless of if they are ready. This series originally came about after one Cleveland teacher complained of having to promote fourth graders who she did not believe were ready for the fifth grade. Upon their own analysis, the Plain Dealer noticed that, though 99 percent of students were promoted in the last school year, 66 percent of them had failed state examinations. The investigation points out: "that gap was even more pronounced for black and Hispanic students who fail the tests more often than their white peers." The report also looks at the social and educational benefits to promoting or holding these students back.
Tags: No Child Left Behind; state testing; promotion data; dropout rates; Ohio Department of Education; social promotion
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New York Soldiers in Iraq Exposed to Depleted Uranium
Upon their return home from Iraq, several members of the New York Army National Guard complained of a variety of ailments, including urinary and kidney problems, severe breathing problems, and physical weakness. While the army's medical staff was unable to find out what's wrong with them, an independent medical exam (paid for by the Daily News) shows signs that the soldiers were exposed to radioactive dust produced by depleted uranium shells. Most of the soldiers all came from the 442nd Company, formerly stationed in Samawah, Iraq.
Tags: New York Army National Guard; uranium; Samawah; Iraq
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Teachers Who Fail
This series of articles examined equality among schools by looking specifically at teacher qualifications. The reporters found that thousands of teachers struggled to pass basic skills tests and that one in three teachers failed an exam at least one time. Furthermore, the reporters found that the teachers who struggled the most on the tests were funneled into poor and minority schools, while those who did well went to wealthier white schools.
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"Passing without progress"
"How did a high school valedictorian fail to graduate? This story uncovers a disturbing trend that allows some New Orleans public school students to continue passing without progress (making what they think are 'good' grades but failing a graduate exit exam, which keeps them from graduating). Of the 4,120 high school seniors in 2002, more than 1,150 of them never graduated."
Tags: grades; graduation; grade inflation; school
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David Brame Scandal
"When Tacoma's police chief, David Brame, killed his estranged wife and then himself, he shocked a community that knew little of the torment plaguing both his marriage and the police department. Brame became an officer despite failing two psychological exams, he was promoted to chief despite a rape allegation. This investigation looks at how this clearly unqualified man was allowed to assume and abuse such a powerful position.