BOSTON, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — The Massachusetts State Auditor’s Office released an audit report of the Department of Secondary and Elementary Education, DESE, Tuesday. The report reviewed the time period of July 1st, 2021 through June 30th, 2023 and found DESE did not “ensure that it received and investigated reports of child abuse and neglect involving licensed educators.”

DESE is the state-level oversight board for the education of students in prekindergarten through twelfth grade.

The report also stated that “DESE failed to fulfill its obligation to investigate supported allegations of abuse or neglect involving licensed educators or applicants. As a result, individuals who pose a risk to student safety could remain in classrooms or educational settings without appropriate review or disciplinary action.”

State Auditor Diana DiZoglio said DESE has begun work to remediate some of the findings from the report and the “work must continue to ensure all children, regardless of their family background, bank balance or zip code, are fully supported and protected.”