This resource is intended to outline the ISD-Led Desk Audit activity for ISD Monitors. ISD-Led Desk Audits may result in a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) for the member district being monitored via the desk audit. ISDs will be notified of a planned monitoring activity by Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education (MDE OSE). The ISD Monitor should review the B-Reports page of each major release of Catamaran for the notification letter. Catamaran major releases are scheduled for January, May and September.
Access the Activity
- Log into Catamaran.
- Access the activity in two ways:
- On the Dashboard, scroll down to the Tasks Overview section. Use the filters, as needed, to narrow tasks, and select the link in the Activity column to open the ISD-Led Desk Audit Activity.
- On the Dashboard, select the Search link (A) in the upper right-hand corner of the page. Then on the Search page, choose Monitoring (B). Filter the search results by selecting Monitoring Visits (C). Next, select the specific ISD-Led Desk Audit (D) and choose Search (E).
Complete Interview Summary
After the interview(s) with the member district have been completed, document the findings on the Interview Summary page.
- From the ISD-Led Desk Audit Menu, select the ISD-Led Desk Audit Interview Summary link.
- On the Interview Summary page, the ISD should complete the following fields:
A. Number of staff interviews conducted,
B. An overview of the interviews that indicates patterns and/or overarching themes,
C. Strengths, and
D. Areas of concern and/or opportunities for improvement.
Note: The MDE Primary Reviewer contact, Race/Ethnicity being monitored, and the Risk Ratio have been provided by MDE OSE and are prepopulated at the top of the Interview Summary form.
- After completing all fields on the Interview Summary page, remember to Save the work.
Complete Final Report Worksheet
After the Interview Summary page is completed, complete the Final Report Worksheet, including recommendations for findings or no findings to be reviewed and considered by MDE OSE. MDE OSE will make the final decision on whether to issue findings to the member district.
- From the ISD-Led Desk Audit Menu, select the ISD-Led Desk Audit Final Report Worksheet link.
- On the Final Report Worksheet, enter the Review Date.
Note: Section 1: Monitoring Priority will be automatically populated based on the indicator being monitored.
- Review the prepopulated text in Section 2: Selection Criteria on the Final Report Worksheet.
Note: Before editing the prepopulated language, please check with the MDE Primary Reviewer listed on the Interview Summary page.
- Review the number of staff interviews conducted in the Results of Desk Audit section on the Final Report Worksheet.
Note: The Number of staff interviews was entered by the ISD on the Interview Summary page. If this number needs to be updated prior to submitting the activity to MDE, return to the Interview Summary page to make the update.
- At the bottom of the Final Report Worksheet, the ISD will recommend to issue findings or no findings.
- If the ISD decides to recommend issuing findings, contact the MDE Primary Reviewer from the Interview Summary page for assistance with completing the Findings of Noncompliance table (A).
- Indicate Findings or No Findings by selecting the appropriate radio button (B) and enter optional comments (C).
- Once the worksheet is complete and the work has been saved, select Submit to MDE.
What's Next?
MDE OSE will review the information provided by the ISD in the ISD-Led Desk Audit activity and determine whether to issue findings to the member district.
If noncompliance is found, findings will be issued in the CAP Release month set by MDE OSE.
For more information about Corrective Action Plans, access the How to Complete the Monitoring Review Corrective Action Plan Process (CAP) for Districts resource on the Catamaran Technical Assistance Website.
Need Additional Assistance?
For assistance understanding how to navigate Catamaran, contact the Catamaran Help Desk at 877-474-9023 or help@catamaran.partners.
