Trial ordered in Philly school cheating probe

A Philadelphia principal and three teachers have been ordered to stand trial on charges that they helped young children cheat on standardized tests by changing answers and reviewing questions beforehand.

State authorities last spring filed charges of forgery, conspiracy, tampering with public records and other counts against Cayuga Elementary School principal Evelyn Cortez and teachers Jennifer Hughes, Lorraine Vicente, and Ary Sloane.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that several teachers testified Tuesday that they saw incorrect answers changed and teachers berated for not taking illegal steps to boost scores.

Common Pleas Court Judge David Shuter dismissed some corrupt organization counts but ordered the defendants to be tried on other charges. A fourth teacher waived her preliminary hearing.

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Defense attorneys said their clients are innocent and will be vindicated.

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