APS Scandal: Ex-Benteen Park Elementary Teacher Guilty

BENTEEN PARK - A former Benteen Elementary School teacher was one of two teachers who entered a guilty plea Monday in the Atlanta Public Schools' test-cheating case.

Sheila Evans and former Dobbs Elementary School teacher Shayla Smith each pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor count of obstruction before Fulton County Superior Court Judge Jerry Baxter.

Evans, who had been charged with a violation of Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, two counts of false statements and writings, and theft by taking, was sentenced to probation, community service and a fine in exchange for her guilty plea and cooperation with prosecutors.

The two teachers admitted to changing students’ wrong answers on 2007 standardized tests and providing their pupils the correct answers on tests taken the following two years.

The agreements were the third and fourth guilty pleas from teachers with 30 more defendants, including former superintendent Beverly Hall, still awaiting trial.

A Jan. 6 deadline has been set by Judge Baxter for defendants to strike a deal with prosecutors.