By Calvin Palmer
Two teachers in DeKalb County, Georgia, have been suspended for their part in a cheating scandal relating to student scores on math tests.
The Georgia Professional Standards Commission today voted to suspend the teaching license of the former principal at Atherton ElementarySchool, James Berry, for two years. Former assistant principal Doretha Alexander was handed a one-year suspension.
A state audit released in June showed answers on fifth-grade math tests at Georgia elementary schools were changed last summer to improve students’ scores and avoid federal sanctions. State officials do not think students were involved.
The commission also approved formal investigations of eight other educators in Atlanta, Fulton and Glynn counties.
“It is a severe punishment,” said Kelly Henson, executive secretary of the commission.
Berry and Alexander have 30 days in which to appeal.
[Based on reports by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Associated Press.]
