25 more North Texas teachers linked to statewide certification cheating scheme
25 more teachers linked to cheating scheme
A statewide teacher certification cheating scandal is growing, and 25 more North Texas educators have been added to the list. See which districts are impacted.
This week, 60 additional teachers, including 25 from North Texas, were added to the list of educators involved in a statewide teacher certification scheme.
The total number of educators under investigation now stands at nearly 160 and 75 of those are from North Texas.
What we know:
Teacher candidates allegedly paid thousands of dollars to have a proxy take their certification exams and secure passing scores.
The newly flagged educators include teachers from Dallas, Fort Worth, and several other North Texas school districts.
Teacher cheating scandal ring exposed: 50 NTX teachers
Educators across Texas have been exposed after being caught in a cheating scandal involving teacher certification exams. Over 50 North Texas teachers across 21 NTX districts were involved.
The backstory:
In December, FOX 4 learned that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) flagged educators who failed their certification exam on their first attempt but then suddenly passed after retaking it in the Houston area.
The TEA launched an investigation and identified teachers with suspicious test-taking patterns. At that time, FOX 4 reviewed the list and found that many of the flagged educators were employed in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
When the scandal surfaced, Dallas ISD did not specify what disciplinary action it would take against employees involved but said it was taking the matter seriously and cooperating with the TEA. Fort Worth ISD also confirmed its cooperation with the investigation.
What they're saying:
Rena Honea is the president of Alliance AFT, the union representing about 4,000 Dallas educators. She said she's disappointed by the recent developments.
Alleged Ringleaders
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said much of the money involved in the scheme went to Vincent Grayson, a longtime Houston ISD basketball coach accused of orchestrating the operation. Prosecutors allege Grayson made $1.09 million in profits.
Houston ISD Assistant Principal Nicholas Newton is accused of taking certification exams on behalf of aspiring teachers, earning approximately $188,000. Another assistant principal allegedly recruited teachers, charging around $1,000 per test and making about $90,000. Test proctors who acted as lookouts reportedly earned $250 per test, totaling about $125,000.
Dig deeper:
Investigators said many teacher candidates paid $2,500 each to have a proxy take their exams and ensure a passing score.
What's New:
The TEA confirmed that 60 additional educators have had an investigatory flag placed on their certification.
These teachers come from 35 different school districts, all of which have been notified of the flagged educators.
North Texas Educators Under Investigation
Local perspective:
Out of the 60 newly flagged educators, 25 work in North Texas. New districts added to the list include Plano ISD, Alvarado ISD, Granbury ISD, Keene ISD, Lake Dallas ISD, and Maypearl ISD.
Here’s the breakdown by district:
- Allen ISD: 1
- Alvarado ISD: 1
- Arlington ISD: 5
- Cedar Hill ISD: 2
- Crowley ISD: 3
- Dallas ISD: 13
- DeSoto ISD: 1
- Duncanville ISD: 11
- Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD: 1
- Everman ISD: 2
- Fort Worth ISD: 9
- Garland ISD: 1
- Granbury: 1
- Irving ISD: 2
- Keene ISD: 1
- Lake Dallas ISD: 1
- Lancaster ISD: 2
- Mansfield ISD: 2
- Maypearl ISD: 1
- Mesquite ISD: 4
- Mineral Wells ISD: 1
- Plano ISD: 1
- Palestine ISD: 1
- Princeton ISD: 2
- Red Oak ISD: 1
- Richardson ISD: 3
- Waxahachie ISD: 2
The full list of educators under investigation includes:
What they're saying:
Rena Honea, president of Alliance AFT, a union representing about 4,000 Dallas educators, condemned the scheme.
"Our union condemns this unacceptable behavior," Honea said. "It's frustrating because the fraudulent actions of a few create an unnecessary burden for the 99% of educators who earn their certification the right way."
Legal Action
In October, prosecutors charged three Houston ISD employees and two other Texas teachers with running the teacher certification cheating scheme.
Officials say at least 400 fraudulent tests were taken, leading to the false certification of 200 teachers.
"We know at least 400 tests were taken, and 200 teachers were falsely certified," Ogg said in a statement.
What's next:
The State Board for Educator Certification will determine possible sanctions for the implicated teachers.
The TEA continues to investigate and may identify more educators as new information emerges.
The Source: Information in this article comes from TEA, Dallas ISD, Fort Worth ISD, and other media relation professionals.