A Salt Lake media news story that questions the academic credentials of Tooele County School District’s superintendent is the result of people trying to “discredit him,” a school board official says.
The story said Superintendent Scott Rogers received a doctorate in philosophy from a suspected “diploma mill” called Rochville University. The online school has been cited by several states for providing degrees to applicants without testing or knowledge evaluation in exchange for a one-time payment, the story said.
But Maresa Manzione, president of the Tooele County School Board, said Wednesday the board fully supports Rogers, his educational background and the work he has done for the district since he was hired in June 2013.
“I don’t know exactly who the people are that are trying to discredit him,” she said. “I assume it’s people who don’t like some of the decisions that have been made in the recent past: staff changes, scheduling changes, boundary changes. … What happens doesn’t always meet people’s expectations.”
The story by KUTV 2 News noted information about Rogers’ educational background and Rochville University had been submitted anonymously to KUTV.
The story said the superintendent received a doctorate in philosophy from Rochville in 1994. At that time, Rogers said he was not aware of any diploma mill reputation at the school. Also, he said he submitted legitimate coursework and a completed doctoral dissertation prior to receiving the degree from Rochville.
The superintendent’s educational resume also includes a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Brigham Young University (1986) and a master’s degree in school psychology from BYU (1989). He also has an educational specialist degree in educational administration from Idaho State University (2003).
Prior to taking the superintendent job in Tooele, he was superintendent of the Minidoka County Joint School District in Rupert, Idaho for eight years. Prior to that, he was superintendent of the Butte County School District in Arco, Idaho.
He also worked four years as a psychologist in private practice and for the state of Idaho before steering his career toward education.
In an interview Wednesday with the Tooele Transcript Bulletin, Rogers said he suspects he’s the target of a smear campaign because he’s made hard decisions that some people find unacceptable. Those hard decisions involve putting students and parents first, he said.
“It’s a retaliatory smear campaign by a few,” he said. “I am fully qualified to be a superintendent. That’s why I went back to school and got an educational specialist degree in educational administration from Idaho State University in 2003. Judge the results. There are great things happening in the district. We have great students, parents and staff. And our goal is continuous improvement in all areas.”
The superintendent added such improvements — like 74 percent of local third-grade students recently exceeding the national norm for reading improvement — have come about through changes implemented by the district to improve learning and test scores.
In a prepared statement, Rogers explained that from 1989 to 1992, he completed doctoral coursework requirements, passed examinations and began work on a doctoral dissertation. But in 1992, his father in Florida suffered a serious illness. Rogers and his family moved to Florida to help with his father’s care.
“At that time, BYU did not have a distance learning option,” Rogers said. “Rather than discontinue my studies, I submitted my transcripts and my completed dissertation to Rochville University and was awarded a Ph.D. in counseling in 1994.”
In the statement, Rogers further explained that he is now aware that Rochville has developed a reputation as a “diploma mill,” but he was unaware of any such reputation 22 years ago as he sought to complete his doctorate through distance education.
He said the process of receiving his doctorate from Rochville was not consistent with that of a diploma mill because he submitted legitimate coursework and a completed doctoral dissertation prior to receiving the degree. He also said he has accrued more than 200 graduate-level hours; the normal requirement for a doctorate is about 60 hours.
“Throughout my career, I have always been honest regarding my educational history,” Rogers said. “At no time have I represented my doctoral degree as being from an institution fully accredited by the American Psychological Association or other accrediting entity. In submitting applications for employment and licensure, I have always practiced full disclosure and transparency.”
Manzione said the school board carefully reviewed Rogers’ resume and academic background when he applied for the superintendent job in 2013. The doctorate from Rochville was reviewed, but it wasn’t factored in during the hiring process because it wasn’t a requirement for the position.
She said his years of experience as a superintendent, his educational specialist degree in educational administration, and other education-related credentials and licensure are what led the board to choose Rogers over other applicants. She also said his character and enthusiasm were important too.
A prepared statement from the school board said Rogers provided all transcripts, diplomas and professional licenses when interviewed, and at no time did he misrepresent his educational background, credentials or degrees.
The board’s statement also said upon a re-examination of Rogers’ application materials, “we have found no misrepresentation, misleading statements, or any other issues of concern.”
It further states Rogers has exceeded the school board’s expectations, and “with the support of dedicated teachers, staff, and administrators, he has led positive change in our district and guided us to increased student achievement. We are confident in our superintendent’s leadership and look forward to his continuing at the helm of the Tooele County School District.”
Rogers said if he could turn the clock back to 1994, he would have done things differently. Instead of helping his ill father, he and his family would have stayed in Provo and he would have finished his doctorate at BYU. He also would have made sure Rochville University was regionally accredited.
“I had only one more requirement for my dissertation,” he said. “But my family is important. We prayed about it and went (to Florida). … But you know, hindsight is always 20/20.”
Rogers stressed the climate for online universities in 1992 was small. He said his studies with Rochville University then was not a “mail order experience,” and he feels he earned his doctorate and it is legitimate.
“It has helped me to be a better counselor and to be a better superintendent,” he said.
Manzione re-emphasized that Rogers has helped lead the district to new levels of success and the board fully supports him.
“I hope he stays here for a long time,” she said. “We hope the community supports and rallies around him. We also encourage civil dialogue (about this).”