Dougherty schools may have to return federal funds

By Associated Press

For the AJC

The Dougherty County school superintendent says the district likely will have to repay some federal money received for inflated test scores.

WALB reports that Superintendent Joshua Murfree said the district is working with the state to determine how much may be owed.

In a state investigation released in December, dozens of educators in 11 Dougherty County schools were accused of either cheating or failing to prevent cheating on state standardized tests in 2009.

In all, 18 educators admitted to cheating, but investigators say 49 were involved in some way.

Schools serving low-income students that consistently get good test scores receive extra money from the U.S. Department of Education each year. The Atlanta Public Schools, where cheating was also found by state investigators, agreed last week to repay $363,000.