Fulton County Superior Court Judge Jerry Baxter ordered former Atlanta Public Schools principal Dana Evans to serve one year in prison for her role in the test-cheating scandal.

Baxter also ordered Evans to serve 1,000 hours of community service.

Evans' sentence was less than others who did not take a deal for a lesser sentence from Fulton County prosecutors. On Monday, Baxter called her a "wonderful educator" but said Tuesday she was aware of cheating.

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Ernie Suggs, a reporter at the AJC since 1997, reviews a selection of articles he has contributed to during his time with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, as of Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

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