Remedial Education: Modifying Chapter 1 Formula Would Target More Funds to Those Most in Need
HRD-92-16
Published: Jul 28, 1992. Publicly Released: Jul 28, 1992.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Chapter 1 program established to fund supplementary remedial education services for low-achieving students in poverty areas, focusing on whether: (1) modifications to the Chapter 1 funding formula would improve the targeting of program funds; (2) the Chapter 1 formula adequately reflects the cost of providing education services; and (3) more current information than census data is available for determining the distribution of Chapter 1 funds.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Congress should revise the Chapter 1 formula to reflect the greater need of counties with high numbers of poor children and grant additional assistance to those counties with relatively less ability to fund remedial education. | When authorizing this program as part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act in October 1994, Congress targeted additional funds to counties with high numbers of poor children. | |
| Congress, in conjunction with the Secretary of Education, should develop a cost factor that better reflects educational cost differences among states and school districts. | Legislation enacted in the 103rd Congress (Public Law 103-382) did not adopt the recommendation, and there is little likelihood that other legislation will be introduced until the law is reauthorized in 5 years. |
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Topics
Aid for educationCompensatory educationDisadvantaged personsEconomically depressed areasEducation or training costsElementary school studentsFormula grantsPopulation statisticsSecondary school studentsSchools