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N.J. closes loopholes with online diploma mills used by teachers
TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
Bill moves to Gov. Christie that provides strict paid-tuition assistance guidelines
Legislation to ensure New Jersey school employees do not abuse school district paid- tuition assistance programs by obtaining bogus degrees was approved 75-0 Thursday by the Assembly.
The bipartisan bill (A-1894/S-826) stems from an episode at the Freehold Regional High School District where three administrators used $8,700 in taxpayer funds to pay for doctoral “degrees” from Alabama-based Breyer State University – an unaccredited online diploma mill. Before the bogus nature of the degrees was uncovered, the district provided each with a $2,500 salary increase, which was commensurate to their being awarded actual doctoral degrees.
The measure is sponsored by Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Cryan (D-Union) and Sen. Richard J. Codey (D-Essex)
“The use of school money to buy a fraudulent degree from a diploma mill is not only academically and professionally dishonest but slap in the face of taxpayers,” Cryan said. “This kind of sham should never be allowed to happen.”
full story:
https://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/state/nj-closes-loopholes-with-online-diploma-mills-used-by-teachers