Eight former Atlanta Public School educators convicted of changing answers on state tests say they will prove their innocence. The eight were sentenced to prison time this week after refusing to accept plea deals admitting guilt. At a news conference Friday, Defendant Michael Pitts admitted there were pockets of cheating in the schools. But he says the eight didn't have anything to do with it.

"I have a great lawyer, a great family," Pitts said. "We have a great support, people in America who believe in what's right. And I think they will help us to fight this fight." Dana Evans, former principal at Dobbs Elementary School, says she and her fellow defendants will ultimately be exonerated.

"This is war, so it's a matter of what's right," Dobbs said at Friday's news conference. "I think we kind of live in a world where people take shortcuts to feel better. And hopefully, if there's any good from this, then it might be a message to people to stand on faith."

The judge sentenced the eight educators to between one and seven years in prison. They also face thousands of dollars in fines and years of probation. Two others accepted plea deals and will avoid jail.

After The Verdicts, What's Next For Atlanta Public Schools?

There was a wide range to responses to the sentences in the case. GPB's Bill Nigut discussed the sentences with his panel on Political Rewind. Guests include Maureen Downey, who covered the trial for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Rev. Gerald Durley, who is heading up an effort to create a formal tutoring academy for APS students who fell behind because of the cheating scandal. Listen to the show here.

Tags: atlanta public schools cheating scandal, Political Rewind