Multi-Million Dollar Scheme Allows Teachers to Bypass Credentials
A massive teacher certification scheme in Houston has unraveled, revealing a million-dollar operation that sold fraudulent teaching credentials to unqualified educators across the district.
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said on Monday that the operation, which brought in over a million dollars, has damaged trust in the school system.
Since May 2020, this operation has led to hundreds of fake exams, allowing over 200 unqualified teachers into classrooms. Many of these teachers paid high fees to skip the certification process, which has lowered the quality of education.
Over 20 teachers have admitted to paying for fake certificates, and investigators are working to understand the full extent of this fraud.
How the Scheme Worked and Who's Involved
The scheme allowed some district employees to charge up to $2,500 per fake certification. One person involved—the head basketball coach at Booker T. Washington High School—reportedly made over $1 million from this operation.
Investigators have identified five key suspects, these individuals are thought to have set up the fake certification system, creating a profitable business that ultimately put students at risk.
- Vincent Grayson: Basketball coach at Booker T. Washington High School in Houston ISD, Grayson is believed to be the one who organized the scheme.
- Tywana Gilford Mason: Former director and certifying official at the Houston Training and Education Center.
- Nicholas Newton: Assistant principal at Booker T. Washington High School.
- LaShonda Roberts: Assistant principal at Yates High School.
- Darian Nikole Wilhite: Proctor at TACTIX.
Community and School Officials Act Quickly
Houston Independent School District (HISD) responded right away by placing the accused employees on leave and planning to fire anyone confirmed to be involved. District Attorney Ogg stated that this scheme betrayed the public’s trust. Educators, who are supposed to be role models, use the system for personal gain.
The DA’s office is asking anyone with more information to come forward as the investigation continues.