A Philadelphia teacher is under investigation for allegedly requesting gift cards in exchange for improving students' grades.
Approached by one student who was concerned about her grade at the end of the marking period this week, Samira Mack, a science teacher at the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts, made an offer, the student and her parent said.
"I said, 'Is there anything I can do?' and she said, 'I take gift cards to Starbucks, Target, Dunkin', etc.," said the student, a CAPA junior who asked that her name be withheld for fear of reprisal. The student said Mack told her she had made the offer to others, and said every $10 gift card would get her grade raised 5 points.
