The Tennessee Department of Education’s Administration of a Race to the Top Grant

We found that the Tennessee Department of Education did not ensure that the Achievement School District developed and implemented adequate internal control activities over retaining documentation, contracting, approving purchases, using credit cards, recording adjusting journal entries, and classifying expenditures. In addition, we found that the Tennessee Department of Education and the Achievement School District did not spend Race to the Top funds only on allowable items and activities and in accordance with program requirements and the approved grant application. Our review identified more than $100,000 in Race to the Top funds that were spent on unallowable items and activities.