80 Ga. educators under suspicion of cheating

ATLANTA - About 80 educators are being investigated by the state for possible cheating on standardized tests last year.

Kathleen Mathers, executive director of the Governor's Office of Student Achievement, told the Georgia Board of Education on Wednesday that the educators come from 14 districts across the state. That list of educators under investigation could grow as the state waits for another 18 districts to complete their own probes.

A report released by Mathers' office in February showed there was possible cheating on standardized tests in about 20 percent of Georgia elementary and middle schools last spring. Those found guilty of cheating could face sanctions up to losing their teaching licenses.

Mathers did not say what districts are involved.