ATLANTA -- Georgia is the latest state to punish schools caught cheating on standardized tests.

The state Board of Education voted Thursday to void the test scores for four elementary schools and revoke their favorable standing on federal No Child Left Behind measurements. A state audit released last month shows someone changed students' answers on the math portion of the fifth-grade Criterion-Referenced Competency Test after the exams were turned in.

State data released Wednesday indicates the students whose tests are in question were not prepared for sixth-grade math, though the questionable tests showed them performing well on the fifth-grade test.

The three schools in metro Atlanta where the cheating occurred are Deerwood Academy, Parklane Elementary in Fulton County and Atherton Elementary in DeKalb County. Atherton principal James Berry resigned and assistant principal Doretha Alexander was reassigned.

Scores were also changed at Burroughs-Molette Elementary in Glynn County.

The schools could lose federal money.

"The board and I want to send a clear message that cheating will not be tolerated and we will take action, if necessary," School Superintendent Kathy Cox said Thursday. "Ultimately, the ones who are hurt by cheating are the students."

Cox emphasized that the majority of Georgia schools did not cheat.

"The vast majority of educators are highly ethical and deeply concerned with following the rules," she said. "While any cheating is cause for concern, I am confident it is not a widespread issue and that we have a valid, trustworthy testing program in Georgia."

The state will contact parents whose children were affected by the cheating. Officials said those students will be offered extra help to improve their scores.