Kansas school head quits over student newspaper probe [View all]

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39506001

Kansas school head quits over student newspaper probe

5 April 2017

From the section US & Canada

A newly appointed high school head in Kansas has resigned after the student newspaper cast doubt on her qualifications. The investigation by the Pittsburg High School publication, the Booster Redux, started as an introductory profile of the new head. But after three weeks they found that a college attended by Amy Robertson lacked accreditation. The six-student news team has drawn praise from journalists around the US.

Ms Roberston was hired by the Pittsburg Board of Education on 6 March. The school district met on Tuesday night to accept her resignation from the $93,000-a-year (£74,500) post. In a statement, the board said that "in light of the issues that arose, Dr Robertson felt it was in the best interest of the district to resign her position".

Trina Paul, editor of the Booster Redux, said: "She was going to be head of our school and we wanted be assured that she was qualified and had the proper credentials. We stumbled on some things that most might not consider legitimate credentials."
(snip)

The students discovered that a private for-profit school in Dubai where Ms Roberston served as principal had its licence suspended in 2013 by the United Arab Emirates government, following years of "unsatisfactory" ratings.

The Booster Redux also found that a Corllins University, where Ms Robertson received her master's and doctorate degrees, was not accredited by the US Department of Education. The college - which does not appear to have a physical address - has been accused of being a diploma mill, where people can buy degrees.
(snip)