Finding 366676 (2022-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2024-02-08
Audit: 289610
Organization: Albany County School District (WY)
Auditor: Wsrp

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Schools in Albany County School District failed to keep required documentation for WY-TOPP assessment administrators, including training certificates and security agreements.
  • Impacted Requirements: WDE mandates that these documents be completed and retained for two years to ensure compliance and test integrity.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Enforce retention of signed agreements and certifications, and submit them to the ACSD business office for proper oversight and compliance.

Finding Text

Criteria : The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) requires that teachers and faculty who administer the State of Wyoming Test of Proficiency and Progress (WY-TOPP) assessments complete and retain the American Institutes for Research (AIR) and/or Cambium Assessment Certificates for two years and sign and retain the WDE testing security agreement for two years. Condition : WSRP noted multiple instances where schools within Albany County School District (ACSD) were unable to provide documentation to support that teachers and faculty who administer the WY-TOPP assessments had completed and retained assessment certificates and retained the WDE testing security agreement for two years in accordance with WDE requirements. Cause : Improper completion and/or retention of signed testing agreements and training certifications. Management Response : We agree with the finding as presented and have made changes to internal policies and procedures to ensure that "WY-TOPP" testing agreements and "AIR" certifications are retained for the prescribed two-year period. Testing agreements and certifications will be retained with the Assistant Superintendent and Administrative Assistant. Effect : Improper test security polices and procedures may compromise the integrity of the state WY-TOPP exams. Recommendation : WSRP recommends that each school within ACSD enforce that faculty who administer state WY-TOPP exams sign the testing security agreement from the WDE and retain them for prescribed two year period. WSRP also recommends that faculty who administer these tests complete and retain their AIR assessment certifications for two years. As an added layer of control, each school should submit their certifications and security agreements to the ACSD business office, who can ensure that these documents are being completed, submitted, and retained in an appropriate fashion.

Corrective Action Plan

Criteria: The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) requires that teachers and faculty who administer the State of Wyoming Test of Proficiency and Progress (WY-TOPP) assessments complete and retain the American Institutes for Research (AIR) and/or Cambium Assessment Certificates for two years and sign and retain the WDE testing security agreement for two years. Finding: WSRP noted multiple instances where schools within Albany County School District (ACSD) were unable to provide documentation to support that teachers and faculty who administer the WY-TOPP assessments had completed and retained assessment certificates and retained the WDE testing security agreement for two years in accordance with WDE requirements. Consequently, the District had improper completion and/or retention of signed testing agreements and training certifications, which may compromise the integrity of its state WY-TOPP exams. Action Plan: District Administration will continue to have faculty who administer state WY-TOPP exams sign the testing security agreement from the WDE and ACSD will continue to retain these agreements for at least two years. Further, ACSD faculty who administer these tests will complete and retain their AIR assessment certifications for at least two years. ACSD’s Learning and Leading and Business departments will develop a collections and control process for testing certifications and security agreements so documents are completed, submitted, and retained to meet ongoing compliance standards identified in this finding. Testing agreements and certifications will be retained with the Assistant Superintendent and Administrative Assistant. Individual(s) Responsible for Corrective Action Plans Dr. John Goldhardt Superintendent of Schools 307-721-4400; Extension 56001 Dave Hardesty Assistant Superintendent 307-721-4400; Extension 56002 Kate Kniss Chief Academic Officer 307-721-4460; Extension 52521 Trystin Green Chief Financial Officer 307-721-4400; Extension 56004 Trish Oppie Assistant Business Manager 307-721-4400; Extension 56019 Timeline/Status Albany County School District #1 will implement these Action Plan(s) on a forward-moving basis after the date of WSRP’s Audit Report.

Categories

No categories assigned yet.

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 366677 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 366678 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 366679 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 366680 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 366681 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 943118 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 943119 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 943120 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 943121 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 943122 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 943123 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $1.58M
10.555 National School Lunch Program $1.54M
10.553 School Breakfast Program $577,238
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $539,550
84.367 Improving Teacher Quality State Grants $490,397
84.048 Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States $113,690
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $111,325
32.009 Emergency Connectivity Fund Program $106,200
93.558 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families $88,100
10.559 Summer Food Service Program for Children $69,665
84.365 English Language Acquisition State Grants $11,287
84.196 Education for Homeless Children and Youth $6,722
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $3,820
10.575 Farm to School Grant Program $2,604