The first 11 educators being investigated in the Atlanta Public Schools test cheating scandal may learn next week whether they'll be stripped of their ability to teach in Georgia, Channel 2 Action News reports.
‘We have completed approximately 11 investigations and we're taking them to the PSC for probable cause consideration,” John Grant, chief investigator for the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, told Channel 2.
The commission then "can decide to warn, reprimand, monitor, suspend or revoke” an educator's license, Grant said.
Grant was charged with investigating the allegations after a report released in July by Gov. Nathan Deal named 178 educators, including 38 principals, as participants in widespread cheating on the state Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests.
Investigators said they confirmed CRCT cheating in 44 of 56 schools they examined. Now, the Professional Standards Commission is reviewing nearly 200 cases connected to the cheating scandal.
If the probe confirms misconduct, the commission can impose sanctions including a two-year license suspension for teachers and permanent revocation of a principal’s certification.
The accused can then request a hearing before an administrative law judge, who would decide whether to uphold or reverse the commission’s decision.
Some APS employees could face more serious consequences. A Fulton County grand jury also is investigating and could decide whether criminal charges are warranted in some cases.
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