Arkansas Legislative Audit reports on $3.4 billion in education grants for fiscal year 20

The Arkansas Legislative Audit presented its annual summary of grants distributed by the Department of Education during a recent meeting of the Education Committee. The report, which is mandated by Arkansas law, highlights the significant financial support provided to various educational entities, totaling approximately $3.4 billion for the fiscal year.

In the fiscal year 2020, the Department of Education allocated $2.8 billion from the public school fund, $532 million from federal sources, and $132 million from other state funds. This marks an increase of $61.5 million compared to the previous fiscal year. The report details the distribution of funds to school districts, charter schools, and education cooperatives, with specific amounts available in the attached documentation.

The audit identified 56 programs funded by the public school fund, alongside additional programs supported by state and federal funds. While the report provides a comprehensive overview of the financial distributions, it does not include an evaluation of how the funds were utilized at the recipient level. Such assessments are conducted during audits of individual school districts.

The findings underscore the ongoing financial commitment to education in Arkansas, reflecting both state and federal investment in the sector. The full report, including detailed attachments, is accessible on the Arkansas Legislative Audit website for further review.