Trial Underway in Atlanta Public Schools Case

ATLANTA (AP) — Prosecutors say 12 former Atlanta Public Schools educators and administrators cheated, lied and stole as part of a widespread but cleverly disguised conspiracy that affected thousands of students.

In opening statements, prosecutor Fani Willis told jurors in Fulton County Superior Court that they would hear from current and former APS students, teachers, parents and administrators in the coming weeks. The trial is expected to last months.

Children were the biggest losers in the conspiracy, Willis said, with thousands affected over the year. Children whose test scores were artificially inflated missed out on extra help, she said. Willis told jurors that defendants erased answers, changed answers, broke into sealed tests and lied to law enforcement as part of the conspiracy.

T

he former APS administrators and teachers face racketeering charges first announced more than a year ago in an indictment that shocked the state and national education community.

Former Superintendent Beverly Hall isn't among them; her trial was delayed because of breast cancer treatment.