Finding Text
2022 ? 004 ? Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies Annual Report Card HS Graduation Rate Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Program Title: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies Assistance Listing Number: 84.010 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: FY 21 and FY 22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Pass-Through Entity Number: S010A190014, S010A200014, S010A210014 Award Period: July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022 Type of Finding: ? Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance, Other Matters. Criteria: LEAs must report graduation rate date for all public high schools at the school, LEA, and state levels using the four-year adjusted cohort rate and one or more extended-year adjusted cohort rates. Except as noted in the compliance supplement, only students who earn a regular high school diploma may be counted as a graduate for purposes of calculating graduation rates. To remove a student from the cohort, an LEA must confirm in writing that the student transferred out, emigrated to another country, transferred to a prison or juvenile facility, or is deceased. The LEA must have official written documentation that the student enrolled in another school or in an educational program that culminates in the award of a regular high school diploma. (ESEA sections 1111(h)(1)(C)(iii)(II) and 8101(23), (25) (20 USC 6311(h)(1)(C)(iii)(II) and 7801(23), (25))). Condition: During our testing, we noted the Crawfordsville Community School Corporation only had issues identified with missing students, however all other mobility reasons (removed by parents, transferred out of state, deceased) were sufficiently supported. Missing students represented 2 of the 8 samples selected. For one of the students, the support provided included parent request that the student be removed due to a move, indicating that the "missing" classification may have been inappropriate. In both missing student selections, the Indiana Clearinghouse stated it had not been able to match the selected students with any child listed as missing in either the state or national law enforcement database, thus the Principal and Assistant Principal did not sign or approve the withdrawal paperwork, however the students were still removed from their cohorts. Printouts from the Clearinghouse indicated that the missing person request was initiated by the assistant principal, indicating that appropriate members of administration were involved in the review process, however as withdrawal was not ultimately approved by an administrator. Questioned costs: None Context: Using a statistically valid sample, CLA selected 8 students who were removed from their graduation cohorts. Of the 8 selections, 2 were for students removed because they were classified as missing. Cause: Improper understanding and implementation of existing policies. Effect: Possible improper students withdrawn from their graduation cohorts leading to noncompliance. Improper understanding and implementation of existing policies caused the Crawfordsville Community School Corporation to be noncompliant with program requirements over Annual Report Card High School Graduation Rates. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend the Crawfordsville Community School Corporation increased training for those individuals involved in student removal from cohorts to ensure that appropriate documentation is kept to justify student removal, appropriate approvals are obtained prior to student removal, and that reason for removal is consistent with documentation. View of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.