Murdoch-Controlled Company Tapped For Indianapolis Intervention Takes $27M Hit In New York
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News Corp. Chief Rupert Murdoch in London in July.
Rupert Murdoch’s coming in to turn around a failing Indianapolis public school — at least, one of the companies he owns will.
The Indiana Department of Education announced Thursday it had appointed Wireless Generation, a News Corp-owned company that helps teachers work with student-level data in the classroom, to help turn around Washington Community High School.
But News Corp’s phone hacking scandal has trickled down to hurt Wireless Generation in New York, where state education officials have killed a $27 million contract with the company.
The controversy proved too much for the state to stomach.
“In light of the significant ongoing investigations and continuing revelations with respect to News Corp., we are returning the contract with Wireless Generation unapproved,” DiNapoli’s office wrote to the Education Department. DiNapoli’s office also cited an “incomplete record” about News Corporation’s qualifications as a cause for concern.
A spokeswoman for the company declined comment Thursday, and said Wireless Generation had not received any notification from the state.
Screenshot/Wireless Generation
Wireless Generation provides student-level data to classroom teachers to help them shape lesson plans and address student trouble-spots.
The Indiana Department of Education says Wireless Generation will provide a “Project Team” at Washington Community High School, placing “coaches” with an average 15-20 years of classroom experience to work on-site. Documents released by IDOE Thursday claim Wireless Generation “has worked with Washington D.C. Public Schools since 2007, providing similar support.”
The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette reports Indiana has already signed a $200,000 contract with Wireless Generation.
