6 school teachers in Mississippi charged in cheating scandal
JACKSON, Miss. — Six Mississippi teachers have been indicted for participating in a scheme in which teacher candidates would hire others to take certification tests.
Teachers in Tennessee and Arkansas have also been implicated.
The case stem from a 45-count indictment returned by a grand jury in July that charged Clarence Mumford Sr. of Memphis with fraud and identity theft. He is accused of being the ringleader of a group of individuals who were paid to take teacher certification examinations on behalf of aspiring teachers dating back to 1995.
The Clarion-Ledger reports (http://on.thec-l.com/UZd1Uz ) that at two of the Mississippi teachers indicted are still active in the classroom.
Jadice Moore, 40, of Port Gibson continues to serve as a teacher’s aide at Port Gibson Middle School despite a charge of mail fraud, according to Claiborne County schools Superintendent Elijah Brown, who said the district is conducting its own investigation.
And Kimberly Taylor, 36, of Charleston is still employed at Charleston Elementary School, where she is listed as a fourth-grade teacher. She also was charged with mail fraud.
“She has been given a vote of confidence by her employer,” said Taylor’s attorney, Mark Mesler of Memphis.
AP
11/27/12
