NCJ Number
59228
Date Published
1978
Length
225 pages
Annotation
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE MISUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS AND OTHER IRREGULARITIES IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS PROVIDING SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR SERIOUSLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN IN NEW JERSEY IS DOCUMENTED.
Abstract
THE STUDY WAS UNDERTAKEN BY THE NEW JERSEY COMMISSION OF INVESTIGATION AFTER INITIAL AUDITS AND INTERVIEWS PRODUCED EVIDENCE OF QUESTIONABLE PROCEDURES, SUCH AS THE MISAPPROPRIATION OF TAX MONEY FOR PERSONAL GAIN AND OTHER NONEDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES, IN SOME OF THE SCHOOLS. THE REPORT DOCUMENTS THE BACKGROUND AND METHODS OF THE INVESTIGATION, TESTIMONY GIVEN AT TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS, AND THE COMMISSION'S CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. THE TESTIMONY COVERS THE ROLE OF STATE AND LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, ABUSES AND DEFICIENCIES AT FOUR SPECIFIC SCHOOLS, AND THE ACTIVITIES OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND AGENCIES FOR THE HANDICAPPED AIMED AT PREVENTING IMPROPRIETIES. THE COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS RELATE TO ESTABLISHMENT OF A STATE BUREAU TO OVERSEE REIMBURSEMENT OF NONPUBLIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS FOR THE HANDICAPPED; ADOPTION OF STRICT GUIDELINES REGARDING ALLOWABLE AND NONALLOWABLE REIMBURSEMENTS; ADOPTION OF AN ADEQUATE REPORTING SYSTEM; AND THE ANNUAL SETTING OF TUITION RATES, BASED ON COST REPORTS SUBMITTED BY THE SCHOOLS TO THE STATE BUREAU. IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES ACCOMPANY EACH RECOMMENDATION. SAMPLE COPIES OF EXPENSE REPORT FORMS TO BE USED BY THE SCHOOLS ARE APPENDED. (LKM)