Eight former Atlanta educators received harsh jail sentences on April 14 for their role in a 2009 cheating scandal that a state investigation concluded had involved 178 teachers and principals at 40 schools across the city.

The educators had been convicted of racketeering, a charge typically reserved for participants in organized crime.

Three of the eight — all former high-level administrators — received seven years in prison, $25,000 in fines and 2,000 hours of community service.

The other five — former principals, assistant principals, teachers and testing coordinators — received sentences of one or two years in prison plus smaller fines and community service.

Thirty-five educators were indicted in the score-fixing scandal, including former Superintendent Beverly Hall, who died before facing trial. Many took plea deals.

Judge Jerry Baxter handed down the unusually severe sentences after urging the educators to accept plea bargains.

“There were thousands of children harmed in this thing. This is not a victimless crime,” Baxter said.

Washington Post, April 13, 14
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 14