Gallaudet College and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf

Testimony was given on: (1) the costs of educating postsecondary students at Gallaudet College and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID); (2) the number of students enrolled at the institutions compared to each school's capacity; and (3) the Department of Education's oversight of four institutions. GAO found that, compared with similar types of schools serving non-hearing-impaired students, Gallaudet College and NTID: (1) costs per student in school year 1981 to 1982 were considerably higher; (2) student-faculty ratios in school year 1981 to 1982 were considerably lower; and (3) average annual faculty compensation in school year 1983 to 1984 was lower. For the 1981 to 1982 school year, NTID total educational and general expenditures per student were $19,771, and Gallaudet College's were $23,772. GAO also found that, in the fall of 1984: (1) Gallaudet College had 192 unoccupied beds in its dormitories; (2) the Model Secondary School was below its student enrollment capacity; (3) NTID exceeded its designated capacity; and (4) the Kendall Elementary School had an enrollment of 190 students. The Department of Education generally oversees financial and budgetary matters pertaining to the four institutions; however, these institutions have not been subjected to any systematic or periodic program evaluation since the Budget Division staff does not have the expertise to review programs for deaf education.