DeKalb educator faces firing over cheating scandal

By Kristina Torres

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Local officials have moved to fire a DeKalb County assistant principal caught in a statewide test cheating scandal, indicating the allegations against Doretha Alexander make her unfit for a job.

The move comes two months after the state released a preliminary audit that showed someone at four Georgia elementary schools deliberately changed students’ answers in summer 2008 on fifth-grade standardized math retests. The changes helped all four schools, including DeKalb’s Atherton Elementary, meet federal standards.

Former Atherton Principal James Berry immediately resigned. Alexander, the school’s assistant principal, was reassigned and later placed on paid administrative leave.

A DeKalb schools system spokesman said officials sent Alexander a charge letter Thursday for termination. Alexander, who could not be reached for comment, can appeal.

State school board members in July threw out the tainted scores. A separate state agency charged with policing Georgia teaching credentials opened a formal investigation into Berry and Alexander, whose cases were the first to come before the agency.

Sanctions by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission could range from a reprimand to loss of license.

Berry and Alexander also face a rare criminal prosecution by DeKalb authorities on a felony charge of falsifying a state document. The charge carries a potential two- to 10-year prison term.

A spokesman for the DeKalb district attorney said Friday that an investigation into the case remains open.