Dozens of Atlanta educators falsified tests, state report confirms
- NEW: Report "confirms our worst fears," Atlanta mayor says
- Report confirms widespread cheating in Atlanta public schools
- Investigators said 178 teachers and principals were involved
- The educators either participated in or failed to address the cheating, governor says
Atlanta (CNN) -- Dozens of Atlanta public school educators falsified standardized tests or failed to address such misconduct in their schools, Gov. Nathan Deal said Tuesday in unveiling the results of a state investigation that confirmed widespread cheating in the city schools dating as far back as 2001.
Some of the cheating could result in criminal charges, Deal said.
"I think the overall conclusion was that testing and results and targets being reached became more important than actual learning for children," Deal said. "And when reaching targets became the goal, it was a goal that was pursued with no excuses."
Falsifying test results made the schools appear to be performing better than they really were. But in the process, students were deprived of critical remedial education and taxpayers were cheated, as well, Deal said.
Investigators said 178 teachers and principals working at 44 schools were involved. The educators, including 38 principals, were either