Nine Atlanta teachers headed to jail after test cheating scandal

Sentences were handed out to the 10 former teachers and administrators convicted of racketeering in the Atlanta public school cheating scandal. All but one will spend at least some time in jail.

The Associated Press reported, that Fulton County Superior Court Judge Jerry Baxter delayed sentencing by a day and encouraged all to admit guilt and negotiate with prosecutors. Only two of the 10 accepted plea deals: former teacher Pamela Cleveland will spend a year in home confinement and former test coordinator Donald Bullock will spend six months of weekends in jail. Both waived the right to appeal.

The sentences of the other eight range between one and seven years in jail, but all can appeal in 30 days and be released on bond while the appeals are pending. The sentences also included community service and fines for some, as well as $25,000 fines for three of the former educators.

The cheating scandal, Judge Baxter said, is “the sickest thing that’s ever happened in this town,” according to NPR .

Spectators gasped audibly after the sentences were handed out, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported .
“Everyone starts crying about these educators. There were thousands of children harmed in this thing. This is not a victimless crime,” Baxter said.

Baxter also expressed frustration that many teachers did not admit any crime.

“I was going to give everyone one more chance, but no one took it,” Baxter said. “I want for many of these people is to just take some responsibility, but they refuse. They refuse.”

The state investigation report in 2013 found cheating on standardized tests went back as far as 2005, taking place in 44 schools involving more than 180 educators. In all, 35 teachers were indicted on racketeering and charges of making false statements, and many plead guilty before the trial. Of the 12 that went to trial, 11 were charged. One former teacher recently had a baby and will be sentenced later.