Federal Program To Strengthen Developing Institutions of Higher Education Lacks Direction

The Developing Institutions of Higher Education Program was reviewed and serious questions remain about whom the program should be assisting, how it should be organized, and where it is going. There is a need for the Office of Education, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to: (1) clarify the programs direction; (2) reaffirm grantee selection procedures; (3) strengthen controls over the expenditure of funds; (4) better plan and account for services under funded projects; and (5) develop effective performance evaluation procedures. At present the program appears to be largely unworkable. Congress should therefore determine whether the program should be continued, and if the decision is to continue the program, its purpose should be clarified.