Most of the Atlanta educators accused of inflating student test scores were charged with racketeering on Wednesday.

Just one of the 12 educators in the test cheating scandal walked away with an acquittal, with the other 11 coming to plea agreements, according to USA Today.

The teachers admitted that they had been feeling pressure from higher-ups to increase test scores for their students in order to give the impression of improvement. The cheating dates back to 2008 as many schools felt the pressure to have improved average test scores in order to receive extra funding from No Child Left Behind.

In 2011, an investigation into the cheating found evidence of educators feeding answers to students and inflating test scores in 44 Atlanta schools.

"This has been a long, long, long journey," Judge Jerry Baxter said ahead of this week's verdict reading. "I know everyone here probably has emotions they can't describe. I know I do. But I want to tell you - I've been down here 42 years ... and I've never seen a jury that was more diligent. Whatever your verdict is, I'll defend it until I die."

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed issued a statement following the verdict, admitting that this has been a dark chapter for the city.

"The (Atlanta Public Schools) cheating scandal marked one of the darkest periods in the life of our city," Reed said. "I am hopeful that with the jury's verdict today, we can finally close this chapter and move forward with the education and development of our young people. I want to thank Judge Baxter and the Court for their service."