Cheating found in around 80% of Atlanta schools

ATLANTA - A probe has found that more than 78 percent of Atlanta schools examined by state investigators engaged in cheating on standardized tests.

Some findings from the report were released by Gov. Nathan Deal on Tuesday.

Deal said 44 of the 56 schools investigated took part in cheating. Investigators also found that 38 principals were wither responsible for the cheating or were directly involved in it. And they determined that 178 teachers and principals cheated. Of those, 82 confessed to the misconduct.

Deal said Tuesday that the results of the investigation are being forwarded to the appropriate prosecutors and that many of the cases could lead to criminal prosecution.

Teachers named in the report will have their cases referred to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.