Texas Teacher Certification Scandal: Over 200 Cheated in $1 Million Scheme
Three employees of Houston’s historically black high schools have been arrested in a scheme where people certified to teach paid to have someone else take their state certification exams. The ringleaders identified include Vincent Grayson, a teacher and basketball coach, Nicholas Newton, an assistant principal, and LaShonda Roberts, another assistant principal, alongside two people not employed by the district. Those involved in the scheme, which prosecutors allege has earned over $300,000, face felony counts of engaging in organized criminal activity based on money laundering and tampering with government records. Investigations into the scheme revealed at least 400 tests were taken, resulting in at least 200 teachers being falsely certified. The Houston Independent School District, the largest in Texas and eighth-largest in the country, are now attempting to track down these teachers.
John Q. Hosedrinker