Gov. Nathan Deal has signed into law legislation that revokes bonuses for Georgia teachers who cheat on standardized tests.

Deal signed the bill Monday. Under current policy, teachers and principals can receive bonuses or incentive pay based on the test scores of their students. Educators would have to give up that money under the new law, which takes effect July 1.

The legislation stems from last year's cheating scandal in Atlanta Public Schools.

A state investigation in July revealed widespread cheating by educators in nearly half of the Atlanta's 100 schools dating to 2001. In all, nearly 180 teachers and principals were accused of giving answers to students or changing responses once the tests had been completed.

Tags: CRCT cheating, standardized test cheating, teacher bonuses