Dear Commons Community,

The New York Times is reporting that the Pearson Foundation is being investigated by the New York State attorney general in connection with paid trips to NYS education department officials.  Specifically the article states:

“The office of the attorney general, Eric T. Schneiderman, issued subpoenas this week to the [Pearson] foundation and to Pearson Education seeking documents and information related to their activities with state education officials, including at least four education conferences — in London, Helsinki, Singapore and Rio de Janeiro — since 2008, according to people familiar with the investigation.

At issue is whether the activities of the tax-exempt Pearson Foundation, which is prohibited by state law from engaging in undisclosed lobbying, were used to benefit Pearson Education, a for-profit company… In New York, Pearson Education most recently won a five-year, $32 million contract to administer state tests, and it maintains a $1 million contract for testing services with the State Education Department, according to state records.”

This is the second time this year that the NYS Education Department has come under scrutiny for its large contracts.  A $27 million contract to Wireless Generation was voided because proper bidding procedures were not followed.

Tony