Falsifying Teaching Credentials

With the job market as difficult as it is in general, teachers too are struggling find positions as states cut their education budgets. It might seem tempting to acquire an advanced degree to give a candidate an advantage in the formal application process. However as you will read below, falsifying documents  for employment is a felony in several states and it goes without saying that conviction for such a crime may end hopes of ever obtaining a teaching position.

While it behooves school districts to check an applicant’s credentials and references thoroughly, in today’s high tech world, it is easy to fake degrees, transcripts and letters of recommendation. If you are about hire someone and entrust them with the education and well being of young children, it is imperative to find teacher candidates of the highest moral character.

A number of years ago, a student came to my office with an on-line education degree from an accredited college. The student asked why she was not able to obtain a state teaching certificate. Upon reviewing the transcript I observed that the degree had no provision for clinical practice (student teaching) which is a requirement for licensure in many states. If you are going to opt for the on- line route to obtain a degree, be sure that the institution is accredited in your state and that credits from that institution will be valid for obtaining teacher certification.

Diploma mills. There are numerous bogus colleges on the Internet that for a fee will send an official looking diploma and transcripts. You can even order a class ring!

The Higher Education Opportunity Act defines a diploma mill as follows (from US Dept of Ed.web site)

DIPLOMA MILL- The term `diploma mill' means an entity that--
(A)(i) offers, for a fee, degrees, diplomas, or certificates, that may be used to represent to the general public that the individual possessing such a degree, diploma, or certificate has completed a program of post secondary education or training; and (ii) requires such individual to complete little or no education or coursework to obtain such degree, diploma, or certificate; and
(B) lacks accreditation by an accrediting agency or association that is recognized as an accrediting agency or association of institutions of higher education . The US Department of Education has a link on its web site that provides information and caveats about diploma mills. mills.http://www2.ed.gov/students/prep/college/diplomamills/index.html

Statutory law

At least 11 states (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, North

Dakota, Oregon, Texas, and Washington) have currently enacted laws that make

misrepresentation of employment qualifications a criminal offense. Five states—Kentucky, New

Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, and Washington—have classified this practice as a felony

punishable by several years in prison. The remaining states consider résumé fraud to be a

misdemeanor.  In a number of states it is illegal to commit résumé fraud only if the job seeker (1) is claiming an Educational credential from a “diploma mill,” a bogus institution and (2) is using the résumé in a state that has enacted legislation to discourage the activities of these schools. However, an employer may be within its legal rights to terminate an employment relationship based upon misrepresentation of qualifications, depending upon the state and the nature of the falsification.

 Be prudent when making career plans. If you find yourself out of a teaching job, you may wish to volunteer working with children in after school programs, Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, scouts or youth programs at your local church or synagogue. Helping these organizations can also help your resume when looking for your next job. A bogus degree or certificate may seem like a short term solution but could turn out to be a costly career ending mistake.

Copyright. J. Margolis 2012