Significant Audit Weaknesses in Two Idaho Charter Schools

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) conducted an audit of two Idaho online charter schools, the Idaho Connections Academy and the Idaho Virtual Academy. OIG reviewed the schools’ oversight of program requirements including those for highly qualified teachers, Title I of The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), and the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA).  OIG found that despite the two schools’ adequate oversight of ESEA and IDEA, the Idaho Connections Academy had “significant weaknesses” in its compliance requirements for highly qualified teachers and its documentation of service delivery at-risk students and students with individualized education programs.