Phila. Principal Admits In Court To Cheating On Standardized Tests
By Mike DeNardo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A Philadelphia elementary school principal has pleaded guilty, in a wide-ranging state probe into cheating, by adults, on standardized tests.
Former Cayuga Elementary School Principal Evelyn Cortez admitted that she directed teachers and students to change answers on the state PSSA exams between 2007 and 2011.
The 60-year-old Cortez pleaded guilty to criminal charges of perjury, tampering with public records and conspiracy.
Her defense attorney, Michael Walker, says the fact that a number of witnesses ready to testify against Cortez led her to plead guilty.
"Sometimes the facts of the case fit the statutory definition of a crime. Yet I don't believe anyone was hurt in this matter."
Two former Cayuga teachers, Ary Sloane and Jennifer Hughes, are headed to trial on similar charges.