ERIC Number: ED652032
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Mar
Pages: 45
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Bureau of Indian Education: Improved Oversight of Schools' COVID-19 Spending Is Needed. Report to Congressional Addressees. GAO-24-105451
Melissa Emrey-Arras
US Government Accountability Office
Many of the Bureau of Indian Education's (BIE) 183 schools are located in remote tribal lands that faced extraordinary challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to experience ongoing effects. Congress appropriated about $1.5 billion to help BIE and its schools respond to the pandemic. The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) reviewed the use of COVID-19 relief funds by schools and BIE as part of GAO's responsibilities under the CARES Act. This report examines how BIE and schools spent their COVID funds and BIE's guidance to schools on fund use, and the extent to which BIE oversees schools' fund use. GAO surveyed a generalizable sample of 85 BIE schools, with 70 schools responding, to collect information on their use of COVID funds and the extent to which BIE provided them guidance on spending. GAO also analyzed agency data on BIE schools' purchase card activity; reviewed relevant federal statutes, regulations, and agency policies and procedures for overseeing school COVID spending; and interviewed BIE and school officials.
Descriptors: American Indian Education, Educational Finance, Expenditures, Accountability, Federal Aid, Audits (Verification), Financial Audits, Distance Education, Government School Relationship
US Government Accountability Office. 441 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20548. Tel: 202-512-6000; Web site: http://www.gao.gov
Publication Type: Reports - Research; Legal/Legislative/Regulatory Materials
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Policymakers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: US Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A