67 more APS educators punished in cheating scandal

ATLANTA — Sixty-seven more Atlanta Public School educators have been barred from the classroom because of their involvement in the district's cheating scandal.
   
On Thursday, the state agency that gives teachers permits to work in public education voted to take away permits for the accused educators  --  some for two years and some permanently. The Professional Standards Commission has now made recommendations for 83 cases in the CRCT cheating scandal and has about 100 left to review.

An ethics committee first considered each case, recommended sanctions, and then the full commission approved them.

"Some of these cases, albeit not all of them, we would consider some of our strongest cases," said the PSC's Kelly Henson.

The commission revoked teaching certificates for 19 educators in leadership positions, such as test coordinators. Forty-seven teachers had their permits suspended for two years. One teacher was suspended for one year.

On Wednesday, an Atlanta Public Schools tribunal voted to terminate an elementary school teacher. Another teacher has already been fired, 24 have resigned and one retired.

All of the accused educators also face sanctions from the school system, and some could face criminal prosecution as well. Teachers who have cooperated with investigators are eligible to negotiate an agreement with the Attorney General's Office to lessen their punishments.

The PSC won't release the names of any teachers involved until all the appeals are done.

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