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California Condemns 'Unlawful' Claim by Chinese School at Center of ...
Pegasus California School in China Yan Cong for Insider 2026-04-10T09:16:01.235Z Pegasus California School has been the focus of a federal investigation and a blistering audit. It has claimed it was founded with the backing of the California education department. The state says that's not true and demanded it stop. California's education department has demanded that a Chinese boarding school stop claiming it was founded with the "blessing and support" of the agency following a Business Insider report. Pegasus California School is a private high school in Qingdao that costs thousands of dollars to attend and promises admittance to top U.S. universities. The school was the subject of a federal investigation and scathing state audit prompted by a 2021 Business Insider story on its ties to a California school district and state education officials.The audit released last month by the Riverside County Office of Education found "sufficient evidence" of "fraud, misappropriation of funds, or other illegal fiscal practices," and referred its findings to the county prosecutor and other authorities. Last month, Business Insider asked the California Department of Education about a claim on the Pegasus website that it was founded "with the blessing and support of the California Department of Education, to become the first and only high school in China that offers authentic California education." The website also describes how Pegasus offers its students a "true California-style instruction."In response, the state agency sent a cease-and-desist letter in late March to the school, China's top market regulator, and the U.S. China Business Council. California's Business and Professions Code Section "makes it unlawful for a non-governmental entity to use a state government name in a manner that could reasonably be interpreted as implying connection, approval, or endorsement by the state government," Len Garfinkel, the department's general counsel, wrote in the letter."You are on notice that the California Department of Education is not connected to, does not approve and does not endorse Pegasus California School," Garfinkel added.Following Business Insider's inquiry, Steven Ma, Pegasus California School's founder, said that he has asked the school's administration to begin updating the website.Pegasus changed the English version of its website to say that it was founded "with the blessing and support from the former California State Superintendent of Public Instructi...
California School District Accused of Issuing Fraudulent Diplomas to ...
Apr. 8, 2026 at 12:48am Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›An audit alleges a California school district issued fraudulent diplomas to Chinese students, exposing concerns about academic integrity and exploitation of international students.Val Verde TodayAn extensive audit has revealed that the Val Verde Unified School District (VVUSD) in Riverside, California allegedly issued diplomas to students in China in addition to potentially engaging in unlawful financial practices associated with the district's international program. The audit identified evidence of fraud and illegal fiscal practices within the school district. Why it matters This case raises serious concerns about the integrity of academic credentials and the potential exploitation of international student programs. It highlights the need for rigorous oversight and accountability measures to prevent such fraudulent practices from occurring in the education system. The details The audit, conducted by the county's superintendent of schools, found that the VVUSD gave unauthorized diplomas to nonresident, Chinese students at the district's 'sister school,' Pegasus California School, in Qingdao, China. The review, spanning over 1,000 pages, also identified evidence of potential 'unlawful financial practices associated with the district's international program'. The extensive audit was recently completed by the Riverside County superintendent of schools. The players Val Verde Unified School District (VVUSD)A school district in Riverside, California that is accused of issuing fraudulent diplomas to Chinese students and engaging in unlawful financial practices related to its international program.Pegasus California SchoolA 'sister school' of VVUSD located in Qingdao, China, where the district allegedly issued unauthorized diplomas to nonresident students. Got photos? Submit your photos here. › The takeaway This case highlights the need for rigorous oversight and accountability measures in international student programs to prevent fraudulent practices that undermine the integrity of academic credentials and the education system as a whole.
Former PALM Charter High School principal's lawsuit claims he was ...
Former PALM Charter High School principal's lawsuit claims he was threatened and had pay withheld Iran responds to Trump's threat of blowing up the whole country Strongest El Niño in a century ...
California education news: What's the latest? | EdSource
School administrators endorse Muratsuchi for state superintendent The Association of California School Administrators has endorsed Al Muratsuchi for state superintendent of public instruction, the organization announced Monday. Muratsuchi, D-Torrance, will complete his fifth and final term in the California State Assembly in December.
