Georgia commission votes to suspend educators in cheating scandal
By APThursday, September 10, 2009
Georgia commission votes to suspend educators
ATLANTA — The Georgia Professional Standards Commission has temporarily suspended the teaching licenses of two DeKalb County educators accused in a cheating scandal.
The commission voted Thursday on a two-year suspension for former Atherton Elementary principal James Berry, and a one-year suspension for former assistant principal Doretha Alexander.
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.
Berry and Alexander have been charged with tampering with state documents.
Berry’s attorney, Janice Mathis, says Berry is pleased his license was suspended temporarily rather than revoked for good. Alexander’s attorney did not immediately return calls for comment.
On the Net:
Governor’s Office of Student Achievement: www.gaosa.org
Georgia Department of Education: www.gadoe.org
Georgia Professional Standards Commission: www.gapsc.com/
