Houston School Officials Charged in Massive Teacher Certification Cheating Scheme
Houston, TX – In a striking case of corruption within the Houston Independent School District (HISD), three district employees are among five individuals charged with orchestrating a scheme to facilitate cheating on state teacher certification exams, Harris County prosecutors announced on Monday.
Vincent Grayson, a veteran boys basketball coach at Booker T. Washington High School, allegedly led the cheating operation, which reportedly allowed up to 400 individuals to wrongly obtain teaching licenses since 2020, netting organizers around $1 million. Candidates typically paid about $2,500 for the fraudulent services, with investigators revealing that hundreds who benefited from the scheme could still be teaching in Texas classrooms.
Prosecutors outlined a disturbing arrangement where conspirators took exams on behalf of aspiring teachers, undermining the state’s educational integrity and harming the trust families place in the school system. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg emphasized the ramifications of the scandal, stressing its impact on children’s education.
In connection with the scheme, Grayson’s alleged co-conspirators include two other HISD employees: Assistant Principal Nicholas Newton and LaShonda Roberts, who works at Yates High School. Newton, identified as a test-taker, reportedly confessed to taking examinations for multiple candidates, while Roberts is accused of recruiting participants and collecting substantial fees.
The investigation began mid-2023 following tips about irregularities at the Houston Training & Education Center. Authorities collected thousands of records revealing suspicious activity, with many candidates traveling great distances to pass the tests under dubious circumstances.
The implicated HISD employees have been placed on paid leave, as district leaders collaborate with law enforcement and the Texas Education Agency to identify and address any affected teachers. HISD Communications Chief Alexandra Elizondo condemned the actions, reaffirming the district’s commitment to uphold educational standards.
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