Board members failed to adhere to state laws as well as their own policies.Nine percent of students missed half of the school year and 5% were absent 75% of the time. Student absences skyrocketed in 2020-21 compared to the year before, with more than 640,000 reported - a 3,444% increase. ![]() Regulators found more than 39,000 days that shouldn’t have counted for state funding, totalling about $780,000. More than 4,500 Epic students were “absent” on their first day enrolled, though state law requires virtual students’ enrollment to start on the first day they complete an instructional activity.“No one at the district could explain how a specific student’s record of completed instructional activities would be converted into the student’s attendance records after being run through the algorithm – it is a ‘black box,’” investigators wrote. The pattern was due to an algorithm, created by an outside company and implemented after a change in state law in 2020 requiring virtual students who don’t complete an instructional activity (such as an online assignment or a meeting with a teacher) for 15 days to be withdrawn from the school. Regulators found a troubling pattern in the attendance records: nearly 5,000 students were reported to be absent for 14 days, then present for 1 day, then absent again for 14 days. ![]() Hofmeister said school leaders are cooperating with the state and “there is enthusiasm to do good things.” But department staff also noted that some of the findings have been long-standing issues despite guidance from the state. “Fortunately, this work has already begun.” “We have a new board of education and new executive leadership team committed to uncovering all and any issues and securingĬompliance with the State (Department) of Education,” he wrote. Please reload the page and try again.Įpic staff told investigators they thought the superintendent had the authority to approve bonuses.īanfield, in a written statement, said the school has made some policy and procedure mistakes as it transitioned away from the former management. Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. ![]() Enrollment Irregularities, Unapproved Bonuses: the Latest Epic Charter Investigation - Oklahoma Watch Close
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |