SACS: Atlanta PS High Schools on Probation

ATLANTA - The Southe Association for Colleges and Schools released their report on the Atlanta Public School system Tuesday.

The verdict: SACS has put APS high schools on probation but retain their accreditation. SACS has given Atlanta Public Schools nine months to correct the situation.

SACS officials made the announcement the Tuesday. They said the school system needs to do the following in order to have the probation lifted:

• develop a long term plan to regain the stakeholders' trust
• to secure an impartial mediator to help the board get along
• ensure actions of board members are aligned with board policy
• provide evidence that the board has refocused on teaching and leaing
• that the process to select a new superintendent must be transparent and open to the public and must not be done by simple majority
• work with the state to address inconsistencies in the school system's charter

The SACS team started to look into Atlanta schools after allegations of cheating on the CRCT tests and fighting among board members.

Back in the fall, the former board chair, Lashonda Butler Burks was removed from her position. That's when SACS threatened to take away the district's accreditation.

If a school district loses its accreditation, students pay the price.

High school seniors who graduate from non-accredited schools have a harder time getting into colleges and they are also not eligible for the HOPE scholarship.