Eleven former educators in Atlanta, Georgia, have been convicted of racketeering and other charges for their roles in a massive cheating scandal at public schools. Prosecutors say teachers were forced to modify incorrect answers, and students were even allowed to fix their responses during exams. Judge Jerry Baxter ordered most of the educators immediately behind bars, with sentencing to follow next week.

Judge Jerry Baxter: “I made myself plain from early on, and they have made this decision. And they have — they have not fared well. And I don’t like to send anybody to jail. It’s not one of the things I get a kick out of. But they have made their bed, and they’re going to have to lie in it. And it starts today.”

Twenty-one other defendants avoided trial with plea deals. It is said to be one of the largest school cheating scandals in U.S. history. The case has fueled criticism of the education system’s reliance on standardized testing. According to The New York Times, “cheating has grown at school districts around the country as standardized testing has become a primary means of evaluating teachers, principals and schools.”