The objective of our inspection was to determine whether the Department appropriately approved requests for alternate assessment waivers and waiver extensions for School Year (SY) 2021–2022. We found that the Department generally appropriately approved 21 of 22 requests for alternate assessment waivers and waiver extensions for SY 2021–2022. One request should only have been partially approved because it included a subject for which a waiver should not have been granted since prior year assessment participation rates were not met. While we noted that some requests did not fully meet all applicable requirements, we found that the related deviations were minor, the Department's rationale for concluding requirements were met, when provided, was reasonable, or we did not believe the deviations rose to a level that would warrant disapproval of the requests. We identified areas where the Department could strengthen its process, to include providing sufficient clarification and guidance to Office of Elementary and Secondary Education Office of School Support and Accountability Assessment Team staff performing the reviews on what constitutes acceptable State responses to certain requirements and how to adequately document determinations when exercising professional judgment so that a clear basis for the determination is provided. This would provide for greater consistency and less subjectivity in its treatment of State waiver requests.
Open Recommendations
| Recommendation Number | Significant Recommendation | Recommended Questioned Costs | Recommended Funds for Better Use | Additional Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | No | $0 | $0 | ||
| We recommend that the Assistant Secretary for OESE ensures that SSA develops, finalizes, and implements writtenguidance and review procedures for staff involved in reviewing and approving alternate assessment waiver and waiverextension requests, to include Steps for SSA staff to verify assessment participation rates (even if this would need tooccur after requests are approved) and actions to be taken if discrepancies are noted; expectations for how staff shoulddocument communication with States during the review process; expectations for how staff should document their reviewand analysis of requirements in the internal memo to clearly show how a State met or did not meet requirements,especially in areas where professional judgment is exercised; and clear guidance related to areas that may lendthemselves to subjectivity, to include what constitutes substantial progress and what is an acceptable response to Stateassurances of LEA verifications. | |||||
| 1.2 | No | $0 | $0 | ||
| We recommend that the Assistant Secretary for OESE ensures that language in the Department’s annual memos toStates with regard to LEA verifications aligns with language included in the regulations to eliminate confusion and clarifyexpectations regarding what information should be included in requests to ensure compliance with State assurance andsubstantial progress requirements, to include specifically addressing progress made on each component of their prioryear plan and timeline. | |||||
