Audit: K-12 school department failed to investigate 22 child abuse reports

"When the pandemic began, DESE explained in the audit, DCF stopped receiving paper copy records. "A breakdown in communication between DESE and DCF began in February 2020 and continued undetected for 41 months, which included the entire audit period," the audit said. "As a result, potentially serious and substantiated findings of child abuse or neglect, possibly involving licensed educators, remain unexamined and unaddressed.""

"The state's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education failed to investigate 22 supported child abuse reports in recent years, according to a state audit published last month. State Auditor Diana DiZoglio's office audited DESE, which oversees pre-K through high school education, between July of 2021 and 2023. The audit, released Aug. 26, also found that DESE slacked when supporting districts with special education plans and supports for LGBTQ students."

DESE failed to investigate 22 supported child abuse reports in recent years. DESE oversees pre-K through high school and was audited for activities between July 2021 and 2023. Communication between DESE and the Department of Children and Families broke down in February 2020 after DCF stopped receiving paper records, and the breakdown continued undetected for 41 months. Potentially serious findings of child abuse or neglect, possibly involving licensed educators, remained unexamined and unaddressed. Thirty-five of 79 reports involved licensed educators; DESE opened investigations for 13. For unlicensed individuals, person-of-interest files were created if applicants later sought educator licenses. DESE is reviewing remaining reports.

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