Texas Educators Under Investigation for Certification Scam
February 6, 2025
Updated February 7, 2025 at 8:47 p.m. CST
An additional 60 Texas educators are under investigation for potentially securing teaching certifications through a cheating ring, state officials announced on Thursday.
Bringing the Total to 160
The new probes by the Texas Education Agency bring the total number of educators accused of fraudulently obtaining certifications to roughly 160.
Teachers Affected
Teachers who recently worked in Cedar Hill, Fort Worth, Dallas, Duncanville, Plano, and Mesquite, as well as other North Texas school districts, are among those under review.
Background
Education agency officials in December announced the first wave of investigations, which followed the announcement by Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg that her office was prosecuting the leaders of a criminal cheating scheme run out of Houston.
How the Scam Worked
Many teacher candidates paid $2,500 each to have a proxy take their exams and secure passing scores, according to Ogg’s investigators. This scheme allowed individuals to bypass the certification process and gain authorized teaching positions.
Texas Law
Texas law allows uncertified educators to work in classrooms, but teachers often make more money or secure certain positions only if they have a certification. Many of the people involved in the scheme were certified to teach special education, according to prosecutors.
Next Steps
The State Board for Educator Certification will determine possible sanctions for teachers involved in the scheme.
The Education Lab
The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, committed to deepening the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas. The lab is supported by Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, Garrett and Cecilia Boone, The Meadows Foundation, The Murrell Foundation, Ron and Phyllis Steinhart, Solutions Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University, Sydney Smith Hicks, and the University of Texas at Dallas. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of the Education Lab’s journalism.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many educators are under investigation for certification fraud?
A: Roughly 160 educators are under investigation.
Q: What is the alleged scheme?
A: Educators paid $2,500 each to have a proxy take their exams and secure passing scores, bypassing the certification process.
Q: How does this affect teachers?
A: Many teachers who were involved in the scheme were certified to teach special education, and their certification may be revoked.
Q: What is the next step?
A: The State Board for Educator Certification will determine possible sanctions for teachers involved in the scheme.
