Federal Reports

This is our final report on the evaluation of the Census Bureau’s 2020 decennial program preparation and planning efforts. We initiated our evaluation of the 2016 Census Test to review (1) the effectiveness of the new management structure and (2) the effectiveness of the operational control system (OCS) to support nonresponse followup (NRFU) operations. Our first objective was to determine whether the Bureau documented its decision to utilize the enumerator-to-supervisor ratios selected for the 2016 test. Our second objective was to determine whether the Bureau designed the test to (a) assess the effectiveness of the OCS in supporting supervisors during NRFU operations by comparing 2016 test results to results of previous tests and (b) determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a higher enumerator-to-supervisor ratio compared to the 2010 Census.

We issued a management information report to the Department to highlight several areas of concern and some positive practices identified through our audits of SEA oversight of LEA single audit resolution. The results of our audits in the three States (Illinois, Massachusetts, andNorth Carolina) indicated a need for the Department to take steps to help ensure that these SEAs effectively carry out their responsibilities for oversight of LEA single audit resolution. Other SEAs likely have similar needs, and it is important that SEAs promptly address any weaknesses in their oversight to help ensure that LEAs take appropriate corrective actions identified in single audits to ensure that Federal education funds are reaching the intended recipients and achieving the desired results.