Latest News and Comment from Education

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources

SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources:


RTTT fund, I3 grants among those targeted for federal audits



Federal auditors will focus attention in 2013 on selected recipients of grants issued under the Race to the Top competition, Vocational Rehabilitation State Grant Program and the Investing in Innovation fund.


Federal auditors will focus attention in 2013 on selected recipients of grants issued under the Race to the Top competition, Vocational Rehabilitation State Grant Program and the Investing in Innovation fund.
In its semiannual report to Congress, the Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Education said the 2013 work plan is aimed at “promoting educational excellence and opportunity for all students” and “includes specific work pursuant to numerous department programs impacting its mission to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.”
Part of the office’s work is tied to making sure the U.S. Department of Education is conducting its own oversight of federal funds correctly. The agency recently? found that the department failed to recover $415 million of questionable expenses due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.
Of 93 external audits reviewed by OIG and issued between 2007 through 2010, they found that 90 percent – or 84 – of them had not been resolved within six months, and 35 of those 84 audits, or 42 percent, were still unresolved as of January 2012.
In addition to carrying out investigations into fraud, waste and abuse launched as a result of whistle blowers or