Objective

To determine the extent of implementation of the 19 recommendations included in our initial audit report, Compliance With School Safety Planning Requirements  (Report 2018-N-2).

About the Program

The New York State Safe Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE) Act was signed into law in 2000 in an effort to promote a safer and more effective learning environment within State schools. Further, the Education Law requires schools and school districts to take safety planning actions and the State Education Department Commissioner’s Regulations (State Regulations) and DOE Chancellor’s Regulations (City Regulations) provide additional guidance. For example, DOE’s District Safety Team must develop a comprehensive district-wide school safety plan and DOE’s schools must develop school-specific emergency response plans.

DOE, the nation’s largest school system, serves approximately 907,000 students at approximately 1,600 elementary, middle, and high schools (excluding charter schools).

The objective of our initial audit report, issued June 12, 2019 and covering the period July 1, 2015 through February 15, 2019, was to determine whether the DOE complied with the school safety planning requirements in the SAVE Act. Auditors determined that DOE could improve its compliance with the school safety planning requirements outlined in the Education Law and State and City Regulations.

Key Findings

DOE officials have made some progress in addressing the issues we identified in the initial audit report. Of the initial report’s 19 recommendations, nine were implemented, four were partially implemented, and six were not implemented.

Key Recommendation

Officials are given 30 days after the issuance of this report to provide information on any actions that are planned to address the unresolved issues discussed in this follow-up.