(Source: MIRS.news, Published 11/08/2024) A follow-up audit of the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) found it had not created a way of evaluating the effectiveness of virtual learning, and its impacts on learning. But the department argues it doesn't have the authority to conduct such a review.

The initial audit from August 2020 recommended the MDE develop a strategy to evaluate how well students could learn from virtual classes provided by traditional public schools. The audit stated the department disagreed with the findings in 2020, just as it had during the follow-up audit released Friday by the Office of Auditor General. 

“This follow-up report and many comments within it reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of MDE’s role, statutory authority, and responsibilities in the state that provides for local control of its public schools,” said MDE spokesperson Bob Wheaton.

The initial audit was meant to measure the effectiveness of virtual learning that took place during the COVID-19 lockdowns and the virtual programs that came after schools were reopened.

The audit recommended the tools for a user-friendly evaluation process be created by the MDE for school districts that could be used to evaluate virtual learning.

In the initial audit, the department said the vendor Michigan Virtual had done an evaluation of the programs it offered and didn’t have the resources to conduct the study.

The second audit ended in 2024 and found that MDE had still not developed a strategy or tools for the virtual evaluation.

MDE officials responded to the audit by saying state statute doesn’t let the department access the local school district data that they would need to conduct the evaluation.

“We disagree and believe MDE had, and continues to have, the statutory authority and much of the data necessary to evaluate virtual learning effectiveness,” the audit stated.

They found it to be the highest infraction of material because virtual learning continued to expand, and the study would be needed to create a strategy for the success of virtual learners.

Wheaton said the Office of Auditor General (OAG) wasn’t able to cite the law that would give the MDE the authority and said MDE is not required by law to do any such evaluation, because it was relegated to the local school districts.

He also said the department doesn’t have the funding or staff to conduct an evaluation.

“Given longstanding legislative and public support for local control of schools in Michigan, it is extremely difficult to imagine the Legislature agreeing with the need to implement the OAG’s recommendations that in some cases may necessitate changing the law to take local control away from public schools and require the MDE to be involved in local public schools to the extent described in the audit report,” he said.