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K-12 Education: DOD Should Assess Whether Troops-to-Teachers is Meeting Program Goals
GAO-23-105992
Aug 01, 2023
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3 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should ensure DANTES uses the data collected through its annual performance reporting process to assess and report on the effectiveness of the Troops-to-Teachers program in meeting each of its stated goals. (Recommendation 1)
Open
DOD disagreed with this recommendation. DOD stated that it does not have the resources to address this recommendation and would face difficulties building such resources and capacity. DOD noted that the NDAA for FY22 directed the agency to restart the program, but did not include an accompanying appropriation to operate the program through the July 1, 2025 sunset date. DOD said it interpreted Congress' intent to be supporting participants who already were in Troops-to-Teachers prior to DOD canceling the program (in FY21) until they complete their teacher certification programs. DOD said it continues to meet that intent. We continue to believe this recommendation is warranted. The FY22 NDAA reinstated the Troops-to-Teachers program, leaving DOD to determine funding for it. Agencies need to understand the performance of their programs to operate them effectively and ensure their wise use of scarce federal resources. Even if DOD chooses to support only current participants in the program, it is important for DOD to use the data it collects and determine whether the program is meeting its stated goals, both at the grantee level and across grantees overall.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should ensure DANTES establishes a mechanism to report relevant performance information and more fully assess the program's overall performance across grantees. (Recommendation 2)
Open
DOD disagreed with this recommendation. DOD stated that it does not have the resources to address this recommendation and would face difficulties building such resources and capacity. DOD noted that the NDAA for FY22 directed the agency to restart the program, but did not include an accompanying appropriation to operate the program through the July 1, 2025 sunset date. DOD said it interpreted Congress' intent to be supporting participants who already were in Troops-to-Teachers prior to DOD canceling the program (in FY21) until they complete their teacher certification programs. DOD said it continues to meet that intent. We continue to believe this recommendation is warranted. The FY22 NDAA reinstated the Troops-to-Teachers program, leaving DOD to determine funding for it. Agencies need to understand the performance of their programs to operate them effectively and ensure their wise use of scarce federal resources. Even if DOD chooses to support only current participants in the program, it is important for DOD to use the data it collects and determine whether the program is meeting its stated goals, both at the grantee level and across grantees overall.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should ensure DANTES fulfills its responsibilities regarding the Troops-to-Teachers program in accordance with its June 2013 MOA, including identifying the appropriate personnel. (Recommendation 3)
Open
DOD partially agreed with this recommendation. DOD concurred with the recommendation only as it relates to the MOA responsibilities and identification of personnel directly related to support current program participants. However, DOD stated that it does not have the resources to support this recommendation across future years, and would face difficulties building capacity to do so. We believe it is important for the agency to fulfill all of its MOA responsibilities to operate the program effectively while the program is required by law to continue, thereby providing opportunities to enhance the potential of the program.

403(b) Retirement Plans: Department of Labor Should Update Educational Materials to Better Inform Plan Sponsors and Participants
GAO-23-105620
Jul 24, 2023
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Labor The Secretary of Labor should update educational materials provided on the agency's 403(b) website to ensure these materials include information relevant to 403(b) plans for plan sponsors and participants. For example, these updates could include adding information with direct references to 403(b) plans to help participants understand their 403(b) plan fees. (Recommendation 1)
Open
DOL neither agreed nor disagreed with this recommendation. The agency noted it has a webpage dedicated to 403(b) plan issues and that the information in its 401(k) publications could be helpful to ERISA-covered 403(b) plan sponsors, participants and other interested parties evaluating fees and expenses in those plans. DOL stated that the agency's rule applicable to participant-directed individual account plans, which requires disclosure of certain plan and investment-related information including a comparative chart or similar format designed to facilitate a comparison of each investment option available under the plan, applies to ERISA-covered 403(b) plans as well as 401(k) plans. The agency added that, in accordance with our recommendation, it would review the relevant publications with an eye to seeing whether the agency should be more specific about referencing 403(b) plans. We will monitor the progress of this effort.

Department of Education: Federal Student Aid System Modernization Project Should Better Estimate Cost and Schedule
GAO-23-106376
Jun 21, 2023
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2 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Education The Secretary of Education should direct the Chief Operating Officer of FSA to ensure that the AED project develops a life cycle cost estimate and updates the budget based on this estimate. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Education The Secretary of Education should direct the Chief Operating Officer of FSA to ensure that the AED project documents its schedule assumptions and constraints. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

K-12 Education: Additional Guidance Could Improve the Equitable Services Process for School Districts and Private Schools
GAO-23-105469
May 17, 2023
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4 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Education The Secretary of Education should develop additional guidance for states to help ensure ombuds have the capacity to manage their responsibilities and to mitigate real or perceived threats to ombuds' impartiality. For example, Education's guidance could provide examples of ombuds' activities, and advise states to also consider any other responsibilities assigned to the ombuds, and how these may affect the ombuds' capacity and real or perceived impartiality. (Recommendation 1)
Open
Education noted that they had provided significant guidance to states regarding the requirements for equitable services under the ESEA and will continue to work with states to identify areas where additional guidance is needed. Education emphasized that SEAs are the primary agents to ensure the implementation of ESEA programs. Accordingly, they believe that collaboration between the ombuds and states are critical to the effectiveness of the role of the ombuds. We await further progress by the agency to implement this recommendation.
Department of Education The Secretary of Education should provide ombuds with more opportunities for training on topics such as
  • monitoring and enforcing requirements related to equitable services;
  • the role of the ombuds and ESEA programs; and
  • notifying private schools and school districts about the ombuds' existence and role, and the types of issues with which ombuds may be available to assist—for example, issues related to consultations and delays in receiving equitable services.

(Recommendation 2)
Open
Education stated that it will continue to meet annually with state ombuds to provide support and training on various topics, including those identified in this recommendation. Education staff will continue to participate and present on equitable services at public and private school conferences. In their work with national organizations that provide technical assistance to members on federal education programs, Education said it would consider, as appropriate, how equitable services could be integrated into presentations and webinars. They will also continue to host the "Ombudsman Corner" web page; regularly update the directory; and provide information, resources and technical assistance to the ombuds through various listservs. Finally, they plan to host the Ombudsman Update Live conference in 2023 and consult with ombuds on topics they would like the agency to address in training to ensure that they are receiving relevant and timely technical assistance. We await further progress on these efforts.
Department of Education The Secretary of Education should develop and widely circulate guidance, model templates, checklists, or other materials for states and appellants regarding the material to include in ESEA equitable services appeals that will support Education with meeting the 90-day legal deadline for resolution. (Recommendation 3)
Open
Education stated that the challenges they may face in meeting the 90-day deadline depend on the unique circumstances of each appeal and the completeness of the record. They will consider developing additional information on the appeals process that might mitigate some of the challenges. We await further progress on these efforts.
Department of Education The Secretary of Education should prioritize investigations and resolutions of appeals related to equitable services to meet the 90-day legal deadline for resolution. (Recommendation 4)
Open
Education stated that the complicated nature and volume of appeals affect the agency's ability to meet the 90-day deadline. Education also noted that the majority of appeals it has received since the passage of ESSA in 2015 occurred during 2020 or 2021. We recognize the challenges inherent in addressing these appeals, but note that since 2015, Education has not once met the 90-day deadline for resolving an appeal. Given this, we believe Education should prioritize investigations and resolution of equitable services appeals and will await any progress by the agency.
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