Finding 517876 (2024-001)

50000 – Title I, Part A – Annual Report Card, High School Graduation Rate (Significant Deficiency, Noncompliance) Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity: California Department of Education Program Name: Title I, Part A Federal Financial Assistance Listing: 84.010 Compliance Requirement: N.3. Annual Report Card, High School Graduation Rate Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance, Noncompliance Criteria or Specific Requirements Local Education Agencies (LEAs) must report graduation rate data for all public high schools at the school and LEA levels using the four-year adjusted cohort rate and, at an LEA’s discretion, one or more extended-year adjusted cohort rates. Graduation rate data must be reported both in the aggregate and disaggregated by the subgroups in Section 1111(c)(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), homeless status, status as a child in foster care using a four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate (and any extended-year adjusted cohort rates) (ESEA sections 1111(h)(1)(C)(iii)(II) and 8101(23), (25)(20 USC 6311(h)(1)(C)(iii)(II) and 7801(23), (25))). Written documentation must be maintained to remove a student from the cohort. Condition The County did not maintain written documentation for three of the sampled students that were removed from the cohort. Cause The Program has written procedures but the procedures were not followed, resulting in the condition noted. Effect The County has not complied with the requirement to maintain written documentation to remove students from the cohort. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs associated with the condition identified. Context/Sampling The condition was identified through review of supporting documentation for a sample of students who were identified as removed from the cohort on the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) 15.2 Cohort Outcome report. Three of five students identified as removed from the cohort on the CALPADS 15.2 Cohort Outcome report did not have written documentation to support the removal of the students from the cohort. Repeat Finding Yes, see prior finding 2023-001. Recommendation The County should ensure that they meet all of the requirements of ESEA. The County should revise its procedures to ensure that written documentation for all students removed from the cohort is maintained and data inputted into the system is accurate.