Audit Report. Bilingual/Migrant Education Program, et al. School Program Services, Department of Education, October 1, 1978 through September 30, 1983.

Overview & Synopsis

Selected financial and program records of nine administrative units of Michigan's Bilingual/Migrant Education Program from October 1, 1978 through September 30, 1983 were examined in an audit to assess fairness of fund allocation, compliance with appropriate laws and regulations, adequacy of administrative performance, and priority of school program services housekeeping functions. Management and operational practices of the Migrant Education Unit, Book Distribution Program, Bilingual Education Unit, Title VII Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Administrative Funds, National Origin Desegregation Title IV, Transition Program for Refugee Children, School Age Parent Program, Gifted and Talented Program, and Alternative Juvenile Rehabilitation Program were evaluated. Problems identified included inadequate monitoring of school districts for any of the programs reviewed, lack of formal program operating standards, absence of effective and efficient identification of children for enrollment in the federal Migrant Student Record Transfer system, inadequate budget guidelines, and lack of a funding basis to provide equitable allocations of bilingual funds to school districts. Practices regarding attending conferences and seminars, travel, timekeeping and payroll, using grants and administrative funds, and administrative payroll cost allocations were also reviewed as they applied to the bilingual/migrant education program, compensatory education program, and the instructional specialists program. (NEC)