NORTH TEXAS – The Texas Education Agency has identified more than 100 educators under investigation. Suspicion of cheating on certification exam. Fifty of them are from areas in North Texas.
Teachers on the list are identified as current or recent employees of 21 different school districts in North Texas. The highest numbers are Dallas ISD with nine, Duncanville ISD with eight and Fort Worth ISD with five.
The Harris County District Attorney has filed criminal charges against five Houston educators for carrying out the operation. They include a vice principal who prosecutors say took more than 400 certification exams on behalf of others, and two supervisors who allegedly accepted payments to turn a blind eye. Teachers came to Houston from all over the state and collectively paid more than $1 million to earn passing grades, according to the prosecutor’s office.
It is not clear whether the teachers named in the report are under criminal investigation, but the TEA could revoke their teaching licenses. A search for educators on the agency’s website shows their certifications are still valid but under review by the TEA Educator Investigation Division.
CBS News Texas reached out to every school district in North Texas that has teachers on the TEA list. Some districts said their teachers were no longer working, and others did not respond.
How many teachers cheated?
The agency said the more than 100 teachers identified were only the “initial cluster” reported by the TEA. TEA said it fully expects further investigations to be initiated. The DA’s office told CBS News Texas that it is aware of at least 200 certifications granted through this alleged scheme.
CBS News Texas found that of the 50 flagged North Texas teachers, they held the following certifications:
Special Education – 13 Physical Education – 13 Social Studies – 12 Generalist/Core Subjects – 6 Health – 5 History – 2 (one listed as intern qualification) Science – 1 Mathematics – 1 Marketing – 1 ESL – 1 English – 1 Diagnostician – 1 (trial)
Some teachers have qualifications in multiple subjects, totaling over 50 qualifications. In such cases, it is unclear whether all certifications matter. Additionally, this list only reflects the subjects that the TEA has certified educators to teach and may not be the subjects that the educator actually teaches.
It’s unclear how many of the flagged teachers are still in the classroom. At least three are on administrative leave and at least 10 are no longer employed by the school district associated with their TEA records.
What does the school district say?
In response to a request for comment from CBS News Texas, the school district said it takes the matter seriously and is cooperating with the TEA. Allen ISD confirmed the person in question is an employee. Richardson ISD has placed two teachers on administrative leave while the investigation is ongoing.
“Allen ISD is aware of the investigation being conducted by the Texas Education Agency and will fully cooperate with the TEA as the investigation continues. The employee in question will be placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.”
“Richardson ISD received a TEA investigation request from the Texas Education Agency on the afternoon of December 4th as part of the TEA investigation into allegations of teacher certification testing schemes across Texas involving hundreds of teachers. RISD is taking this matter very seriously and is fully cooperating with the state’s investigation. ,RISD Both teachers have been immediately placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
“Irving ISD is aware of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) statewide teacher certification survey. Two individuals listed as Irving ISD employees on the list published by the TEA are currently employed by Irving ISD. ” and was last employed by the district by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for the 2023-2024 school year, Irving ISD. is committed to hiring quality educators who meet the qualifications and certifications that Texas requires to provide the best education possible. The district takes all issues related to teacher qualifications seriously and is committed to ensuring that all educators adhere to standards set by the TEA, assisting with TEA investigations, and maintaining the integrity of our educational programs. . ”
“Waxahachie ISD, like many other school districts across the state, is thoroughly investigating this situation and working to ensure that only qualified teachers are in the classroom. We will fully cooperate with the investigation.”
“The Fort Worth Independent School District was recently notified by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) that the TEA had identified five FWISD teachers as part of an investigation into allegations of certification testing programs across the state. (2023 baseline) 2024 PEIMS data) has been investigated by the TEA Educator Research Division, and the district takes this issue seriously and the TEA We are fully cooperating with you and will continue to work with you thoroughly to address this issue.
Like all public school districts in Texas, Fort Worth ISD relies on the TEA and the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) to manage and oversee the teacher certification process. Fort Worth ISD is committed to maintaining the highest standards of educator certification and professionalism so that students receive quality instruction. ”
“On December 1st, the Texas Education Agency notified Dallas ISD that individuals involved in the statewide cheating scandal are currently employees of the district. A total of six employees have been identified. We are fully cooperating with the investigation process.”
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andrea lucia
