{"id":121719,"date":"2024-11-03T21:05:24","date_gmt":"2024-11-03T14:05:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=121719"},"modified":"2024-11-03T21:05:24","modified_gmt":"2024-11-03T14:05:24","slug":"how-the-houston-teacher-certification-scheme-worked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=121719","title":{"rendered":"How the Houston teacher certification scheme worked"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-editable=\"content\" itemprop=\"articleBody\" data-reorderable=\"content\">\n<p>\n    <cite class=\"source__cite\"><br \/>\n      <span class=\"source__location\" data-editable=\"location\"\/><br \/>\n      <span class=\"source__text\" data-editable=\"source\">CNN<\/span><br \/>\n        \u00a0\u2014\u00a0<br \/>\n    <\/cite>\n<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2z1uf6d000v2cqefesaay0o@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Robert \u201cBoo Lee\u201d Williams was still seething days after a popular basketball coach and two assistant principals at Houston\u2019s first two historically Black high schools were arrested in an alleged teacher certification scheme.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2z9i7f000003b6ma3ross80@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cIt almost got me in tears, man,\u201d said Williams, a 1967 graduate of Jack Yates Senior High School in the city\u2019s predominantly Black Greater Third Ward neighborhood, told CNN Friday evening. \u201cWe are fighting hard to overcome, to show that we are more than qualified. \u2026 I\u2019m just being straight up with you.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zaugj200083b6mkjvndx2a@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            And, prosecutors said, more than 200 people certified to teach paid to have someone else take the state certification exam and now are scattered in classrooms across Texas.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zawwhv000h3b6mb1kqa4e9@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cThe most important thing to me is the ringleaders have been identified and are being rooted out of our home school district \u2026 and the fact that they held positions of power there, where they were held in esteem by the children, is the very worst part of this crime,\u201d Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg told reporters Monday.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm302a77v00013b6mxwrjeoil@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n             \u201cThey didn\u2019t deserve those kids\u2019 respect and I think it leaves children feeling betrayed, not knowing who to trust.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zbs4sc000q3b6mlsjzcj5d@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            The Houston Independent School District employees arrested were Vincent Grayson, a longtime teacher and head basketball coach at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.houstonisd.org\/domain\/18413\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Booker T. Washington High School<\/a> described by prosecutors as the scheme\u2019s ringleader, along with Nicholas Newton, the school\u2019s assistant principal and the alleged test taker who helped educators fraudulently pass hundreds of tests.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zn8yav00363b6m6yh37ss3@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            LaShonda Roberts, assistant principal at Yates, also was arrested for what Ogg said was her role as \u201ca recruiter and referral agent who brought in many individuals who sought the services of the impersonator test taker.\u201d Two other people not employed by the district also have been charged.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm307g2i3000q3b6m6p62fmq7@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cThe extent of the scheme will never be fully known but we know that at least 400 tests were taken and at least 200 teachers falsely certified,\u201d Ogg said.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm30gjnub00003b6mm5oum7n9@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Prosecutors said all five defendants face two counts of engaging in organized criminal activity: One felony count based on money laundering because the scheme allegedly yielded over $300,000; and engaging in organized criminal activity based on tampering with a government document stemming from the false statements made when the tests were administered. They have yet to enter pleas.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm30gmqzu00023b6m6mqmfeeg@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Two other defendants not employed by the school district were identified as Darian Nikole Wilhite and Tywana Gilford Mason, who prosecutors said were proctors during the certification exams. CNN has sought comment from the attorney for Wilhite. Gilford Mason is in another state and has not been arrested, according to a spokesperson for the Harris County district attorney.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3068p1g000h3b6mi0i1qw5x@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            HISD, with nearly 200,000 mostly Black and Hispanic students, is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.houstonisd.org\/domain\/7908\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the largest in Texas and the eighth-largest in the country<\/a>. Booker and Yates, respectively, were established as the city\u2019s first two high schools for Black students prior to desegregation.\n    <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"subheader inline-placeholder\" data-editable=\"text\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/subheader\/instances\/cm2ze5qyh00023b6mn9kmqvvx@published\" data-component-name=\"subheader\" id=\"how-the-cheating-scandal-worked\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n        How the cheating scandal worked<br \/>\n<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zcq5nt001h3b6m72n4w1b5@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Grayson, described by Ogg as the scheme\u2019s \u201ckingpin and organizer,\u201d worked nearly 20 years at Booker T. Washington \u2013 which the HISD website said was originally known as \u201cColored High\u201d when it opened in 1893. It was later renamed for the famous Black educator who helped found the Tuskegee Institute.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zfs0ai00053b6mjt7chl45@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Grayson\u2019s attorney, Cheryl Irvin, acknowledged the seriousness of the charges but said she awaits to see the evidence against her client. Grayson has been released on bond.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zgcq0m000d3b6mclzo549q@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cWe all know that a community struggles when the education system struggles,\u201d she told CNN affiliate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.khou.com\/article\/news\/crime\/teaching-cerification-scandal-houston-suspects\/285-8d33194b-33ba-4a6d-a99a-abd339f24a0f\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KHOU<\/a> after a court appearance on Friday. CNN reached out to Irwin for comment.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zggrmg000h3b6mkzuase5s@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cThe state has the burden to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. Mr. Grayson is presumed innocent at this period of time, and so we\u2019ll wait and receive \u2026 what evidence they have against him to allow us to evaluate what we should do next,\u201d she said.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zgo5e6000r3b6m121bgvhu@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Grayson was usually paid $2,500 by teaching certification candidates to have their exams taken by an impersonator at testing centers, where he paid proctors about 20% of that sum to facilitate the cheating, prosecutors said.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zhfdl400153b6mbrxkohgh@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Grayson allegedly made more than $1 million from the scheme.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zi0edo001a3b6mmm0hg655@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cIt\u2019s almost certainly more than that because there\u2019s cash as well here \u2013<strong> <\/strong>which is harder to trace,\u201d Mike Levine, felony chief prosecutor in the county\u2019s public corruption division, told reporters.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zgo2pd000n3b6mzgexn1yz@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Certification candidates would arrive at the testing center, sign in and leave, and \u201ca few minutes later, Nicholas Newton, the proxy tester, would sit in their seat, take and pass the test,\u201d Levine said.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm30gmr9z00053b6msvz7kstv@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            At times, Levine said, Newton allegedly took more than one test at a time.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm30gwhi800083b6mc8llkdrj@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cIn fact, when he was caught red-handed in February of 2024 he was logged into one test,\u201d Levine said. \u201cHe said to investigators, \u2018Well, look at the screen behind you,\u2019 and he was logged in as a different person taking another test on another terminal that same day.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zgsh8g000u3b6m4x9uxqxu@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Newton\u2019s attorney, Feroz Merchant, declined comment on Friday, saying he has yet to see any evidence against his client. Newton was being held on bond.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zhedt900123b6m3kkb95xq@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Roberts\u2019 lawyer, Brandon Leonard, called the charges \u201cbaseless\u201d and said his client has \u201cdedicated over a decade of her life to serving students and supporting teachers, often under challenging and high-pressure conditions.\u201d She has been released on bond.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zho8j900173b6m0s60qyja@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cIn this country, every person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty, and so far, we\u2019ve seen only allegations \u2014 no proof, no evidence. These accusations are simply unsubstantiated claims, and we will aggressively defend against these baseless charges. Ms. Roberts looks forward to her day in court, where we\u2019re confident the truth will come to light,\u201d he told CNN in a statement.\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cm304xwe2000o3b6mhfbfdj46@published\" class=\"image image__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-name=\"GettyImages-2181752189.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.6666666666666666\" data-original-height=\"2000\" data-original-width=\"3000\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2181752189.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image__container \" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image__picture\"><source height=\"2000\" width=\"3000\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2181752189.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"2000\" width=\"3000\" media=\"(min-width: 960px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2181752189.jpg?q=w_1015,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"2000\" width=\"3000\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2181752189.jpg?q=w_1160,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"2000\" width=\"3000\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2181752189.jpg?q=w_680,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2181752189.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\" alt=\"Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, left, and felony chief prosecutor Mike Levine announce arrests in teacher certification scheme.\" class=\"image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"2000\" width=\"3000\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zh75o9000z3b6mn9hpihyr@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            The scheme began to unravel in 2023, when the Texas Education Agency \u201cbecame aware of certain irregularities\u201d at one Houston testing center, according to Levine.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zi1z5u001d3b6mlk93w4zd@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            A former coach in the district who was applying for a job as a police officer in another part of the state had what Ogg called \u201can attack of conscience\u201d and notified the education agency.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zinlkv001i3b6mijpqaxf7@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cThe most interesting irony to me in this circle of greed is that in spite of the perpetrators being the type of people that we trust our kids with \u2026 it was actually a good Samaritan with a conscience that brought this scheme to light,\u201d she said.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zj1w31001o3b6m1uzmc7ci@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            A curious pattern became immediately apparent: Investigators discovered that aspiring educators, including many who had failed the exams in other parts of Texas, were traveling for hours to a Houston center where Levine said they passed \u201cwith flying colors.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zjvsgv001t3b6mwj0sr168@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cOften these people had previously failed one or more attempts at the certification exam. They then drove sometimes four or more hours to the Houston area and suddenly they were passing the test,\u201d Levine said.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zk7vki001z3b6mpf75svjj@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            The HISD employees charged in the scheme have been placed on administrative leave. \u201cAll three of these employees have been arrested and will be receiving notifications relieving them of their duties effective immediately,\u201d district spokesperson Alexandra Elizondo said in a statement.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zk7vn900213b6m7tievfn6@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cHISD was made aware of the investigation into an alleged cheating conspiracy shortly before arrests were made. Any educator who engages in conduct of this nature abdicates their responsibility to our students and to our staff and represents a complete betrayal of the public trust,\u201d Elizondo said.\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cm30516qr000q3b6mvfbgps86@published\" class=\"image image__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-name=\"GettyImages-2182312948.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.587\" data-original-height=\"1761\" data-original-width=\"3000\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2182312948.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image__container \" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image__picture\"><source height=\"1761\" width=\"3000\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2182312948.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"1761\" width=\"3000\" media=\"(min-width: 960px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2182312948.jpg?q=w_1015,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"1761\" width=\"3000\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2182312948.jpg?q=w_1160,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"1761\" width=\"3000\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2182312948.jpg?q=w_680,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2182312948.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\" alt=\"Booker T. Washington High School in Houston\" class=\"image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"1761\" width=\"3000\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zkt5cs00283b6mzjtm0k2a@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Now, local and state education officials are scrambling to track down the teachers who cheated on their certification exams.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zkxjck002h3b6m7qyg9okx@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cIf it is determined that any teachers currently working in HISD participated in this scheme or passed their certification exams fraudulently, we will take swift action to terminate their employment,\u201d Elizondo said.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zl5eww002m3b6mioy0ti7j@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Pearson VUE, a vendor that develops the teacher licensure exam for the state education agency, said it continues \u201cto coordinate with the TEA on their active investigation.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zl69j5002s3b6mbmkng9yf@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cMaintaining valid, reliable assessments and public trust is paramount to us,\u201d Pearson spokesperson Allison Bazin said in a statement. \u201cWe are committed to integrity in professional certification and licensure testing and actively monitor, investigate, and report suspicious activity or anomalies to our customers. When issues arise, we take decisive action, cooperating fully with customers and law enforcement as required.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zixr64001l3b6mr3hbpsjt@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            The Texas Education Agency in a statement said it will \u201creview any and all information shared by law enforcement and pursue appropriate action against any educator involved in this scheme.\u201d The State Board for Educator Certification \u201cwill make a final determination on possible sanctions,\u201d according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.khou.com\/article\/news\/crime\/teacher-certification-cheating-scandal\/285-683ee1df-c76f-4d7b-9428-d9871109f006\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">statement shared with KHOU<\/a>.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zc82mm00153b6mxriunctp@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cThe fraudulently certified teachers run the gamut,\u201d Levine said. \u201cThey\u2019re not just in the Houston area. They\u2019re not just in the Dallas area. They are literally littered throughout the state.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zc7huc000z3b6m93j8fhqp@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            The scheme dates to at least May 2020, according to prosecutors.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zlfn0i002v3b6mil7s0ifo@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cWorse yet, the cheating teachers include at least two sexual predators who once falsely certified had access through their employment to underage kids on campus and off,\u201d Ogg said. \u201cOne has been charged with indecency with a child, another with online solicitation \u2026 We only know of those two cases now but there could be others.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zmipcx002y3b6mcgdldr4u@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Levine said some teachers were hired without passing certification exams but had to pass them within a year or two. In other instances, he said, positions such as teacher\u2019s aides required the exams for promotions.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm30243u400003b6mnukmvktl@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Investigators have interviewed dozens of teachers, and about 20 of them have cooperated and given near-identical versions of events, Levine said.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zc82d300123b6mckd8qd2b@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cTeachers and coaches who help influence children\u2019s behavior, we count on them for their moral compass,\u201d he said. \u201cTo think that this many people without what I would consider a proper moral compass were trying to educate and influence children all across the state is definitely troubling.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3061bzs000e3b6myvtca41w@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Houston Federation of Teachers President Jackie Anderson told <a href=\"https:\/\/www.khou.com\/article\/news\/education\/texas-teacher-certificate-cheating-scheme\/285-c82b6c32-4751-468f-bce5-04b30b6987cd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KHOU<\/a>: \u201cAnybody who takes a route other than what\u2019s legal or ethical, it\u2019s very disappointing \u2026 It\u2019s a concern because we have thousands of teachers who put in the time for study, who put in the work for the assessments and they pass.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm303mwu800043b6mrdjbhk5n@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Williams, 76, the Yates High graduate, said he was shocked when he first heard news of the arrests involving staff at the predominantly Black schools that have long been a source of identity and pride for the city\u2019s poorest and neediest students. Yates, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.houstonisd.org\/Page\/129504#:~:text=A%20Brief%20History%20of%20Jack,a%20total%20of%20600%20students.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">founded in 1926<\/a>, was named for a formerly enslaved man who became an influential minister in Houston.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm2zc2swx000w3b6mqmt8l28x@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Over the years, Williams said, Yates graduates have included journalist and broadcaster Roland Martin, actress Phylicia Rashad and her sister, the choreographer Debbie Allen, as well as numerous city leaders and professional athletes. Williams also helps administer a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/319905765406767\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook page <\/a>dedicated to Booker T. Washington High School.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm303vdum00073b6moaly2exy@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cThis ain\u2019t just a Black school in Houston. This is the oldest Black school in the state of Texas now. This is history,\u201d he said of Booker T. Washington High School. \u201cWe need people to keep our history going on.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm31myzkq00003b6ml8pqekuu@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong><em>Correction: <\/em><\/strong><em>An earlier version of this story gave the wrong name for the CNN affiliate that interviewed Vincent Grayson\u2019s attorney, Cheryl Irvin. It was KHOU.<\/em>\n    <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1660802\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2024\/11\/03\/us\/houston-teacher-certification-scheme\/index.html\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>CNN \u00a0\u2014\u00a0 Robert \u201cBoo Lee\u201d Williams was still seething days after a popular basketball coach and two assistant principals at Houston\u2019s first two historically Black high schools were arrested in &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=121719\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8629],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-121719","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-u-s","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/121719","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=121719"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/121719\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=121719"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=121719"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=121719"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}