Department of Education--No Child Left Behind Newspaper Article Entitled "Parents Want Science Classes That Make the Grade"
Highlights
The Department of Education disagrees with GAO's conclusions that the prepackaged news story and Armstrong Williams subcontract resulted in Antideficiency Act violations. We do not find persuasive the reason Education offers in its report to justify these two actions and, in fact, already addressed them in our September 30, 2005, opinions.
B-307917, Department of Education--No Child Left Behind Newspaper Article Entitled 'Parents Want Science Classes That Make the Grade', July 6, 2006
The Honorable Kent Talbert
General Counsel
Department of Education
Subject: Department of Education—No Child Left Behind Newspaper Article Entitled Parents Want Science Classes That Make the Grade
Dear Mr. Talbert:
Thank you for your letter dated
We understand that the Department disagrees with GAO's conclusions that the prepackaged news story and Armstrong Williams subcontract resulted in Antideficiency Act violations. We do not find persuasive the reason you offer in your report to justify these two actions and, in fact, already addressed them in our
Also, we want to advise you of our concern with your Office's conclusion that the Department's use of appropriated funds for the newspaper article, entitled Parents Want Science Classes that Make the Grade, was proper. We disagree with your view that section 6076 of Public Law 109-13 created new law not in effect at the time that the Department contracted for the newspaper article. See Pub. L. No. 109-13, sect. 6076, 110 Stat. 231, 301 (
Again, we thank you for your response. If you have any questions regarding this matter or wish to discuss the applicability of section 6076 further, please feel free to contact Thomas H. Armstrong, Assistant General Counsel for Appropriations Law, at (202) 512- 8257.
Sincerely yours,
Gary L. Kepplinger
General Counsel
cc: Senator Frank Lautenberg
Senator Edward Kennedy
The Honorable John P. Higgins, Jr.
Inspector General, Department of Education