ATLANTA — The final teacher awaiting sentencing in the Atlanta schools test cheating case was ordered by the trial judge Tuesday to serve a year in prison and four months on probation.
Former elementary school teacher Shani Robinson was among 11 educators convicted in April by a Fulton County Superior Court jury in a conspiracy to inflate student scores on standardized tests in the Atlanta public school system.
Robinson was found guilty of racketeering and other charges for changing students’ answers on standardized tests given in 2009. Her sentencing had been delayed because she gave birth just days after she was convicted.
Judge Jerry Baxter had offered Robinson the same deal as her 10 co-defendants — she could have avoided a prison sentenced by admitting her guilt in court.
Robinson’s defense attorney, Annette Green, told the judge the ex-teacher was willing to accept the jury’s verdict and her punishment but she still insists she did nothing wrong. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Robinson’s mother pleaded with the judge to show mercy anyway, noting Robinson has a 4-month-old son.