Report 2005-133 All Recommendation Responses

Report 2005-133: Department of Education: Its Mathematics and Reading Professional Development Program Has Trained Fewer Teachers Than Originally Expected (Release Date: November 2006)

Recommendation #1 To: Education, Department of

To remove a barrier to increased teacher participation in the program, Education should explore opportunities to expedite its payment process to school districts. One such opportunity would be to seek legislation authorizing Education to approve the annual certifications submitted by school districts instead of waiting for board approval, thus removing any payment delay caused by the need to wait for the next board meeting.

1-Year Agency Response

Education indicated that it continues to work with the board on expediting the program's reimbursement approval process. Although this process has remained the same since the audit took place in 2006, Education has reported its future plans to expedite reimbursement payments. Specifically, in fiscal year 2008-09, Education expects to change its program guidelines by requiring school districts to obtain SBE's approval to participate in the program at the beginning of the fiscal year. Given that program payments cannot occur until the board has approved a school district's participation in the program, Education expects this upfront approval by the board will eliminate some of the delays noted in the audit report. Further, Education also plans to implement an on-line payment request system that it expects will further reduce Education's reimbursement processing times. (See 2008-406, p. 139)

California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Fully Implemented

Subsequent to the original publication of this response, the state auditor considered this recommendation to be fully implemented.

Recommendation #2 To: Education, Department of

To ensure that all school districts are aware of the program and that as many teachers participate in the program as possible, Education should conduct annual outreach activities to all school districts. A component of such an outreach program should include directly informing each school district of the amount of funding for which it is eligible each year.

1-Year Agency Response

Education reports that it continues to disseminate program information to school districts through its annual notifications and its program's Web site. In addition, Education anticipates that its new on-line system, expected in fiscal year 2008-09, will provide school districts with additional program information, such as their specific funding cap amounts for the year. (See 2008-406, p. 140)

California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Fully Implemented

Subsequent to the original publication of this response, the state auditor considered this recommendation to be fully implemented.

Recommendation #3 To: Education, Department of

To ensure that required compliance audits are occurring, Education should take steps to ensure that the program's compliance requirements are included in audit guides related to the annual audits of school districts.

1-Year Agency Response

Education reported that the program's compliance requirements are continuing to be updated in the audit guides related to the annual audits of school districts. Our independent review of the audit guide published by the Education Audit Appeals Panel for fiscal year 2007-08 shows that the program is now included in the guide. Auditors of local school districts can now refer to Section 19838 of the guide for audit procedures aimed at assessing compliance with the program. (See 2008-406, p. 140)

California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Fully Implemented

Recommendation #4 To: Education, Department of

To ensure that it does not expose the State to potential liability for work performed before the contract is approved, the board should ensure that it obtains the Department of General Services' approval of its contracts and amendments before the start of the contract period and before contractors begin work.

1-Year Agency Response

In its response to the audit report, the board indicated that Education's procedural revisions to its contracting process, which it had implemented since the time of the program-related contracts referenced in the audit report, has had a profound effect on eliminating late contracts. Specifically, Education's Contracts and Purchasing Unit requires staff to submit contract request forms 60 days prior to the start of the contract. The board also cited an administrative order by the Department of General Services, clarifying the general policy on the timely submission of contracts and the circumstances under which contracts can be approved after the start date. (See 2008-406, p. 141)

California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Fully Implemented

All Recommendations in 2005-133

Agency responses received after June 2013 are posted verbatim.