An Atlanta educator indicted in the Atlanta Public Schools test-cheating scandal has been hired to teach in Birmingham, Ala.
Sandra Ward was indicted on charges of racketeering and making false statements. She pleaded guilty earlier this year to a reduced charge of misdemeanor obstruction. She was sentenced to serve one year probation, repay $5,000 she received in bonus money, perform 250 hours of community service and cooperate with the prosecution.
Ward, a former Parks Middle School reading coach, testified last week that Parks teachers corrected answers on students’ state test answer sheets while former Parks principal Christopher Waller took the school’s testing coordinator out to long lunches.
The Birmingham City Schools hired Ward as a math teacher in September. Birmingham placed Ward on leave earlier this month, the week before she testified.
In response to questions about Ward’s hiring, Birmingham interim human resources officer Amanda Cross said, “Any teacher who has a valid teaching certification has gone through a background check in this state. This employee has both a valid Alabama teaching certification and a valid Georgia certification. “
According to the Alabama Department of Education teacher licensing website, Ward’s teacher and administrator certificates are valid through June 2015. She passed a criminal history background check and “is suitable and fit to teach under state law,” according to the state website.
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