Naval Academy: Low Grades in Electrical Engineering Courses Surface Broader Issues
NSIAD-91-187
Published: Jul 22, 1991. Publicly Released: Aug 07, 1991.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO investigated two incidents occurring at the U.S. Naval Academy's (USNA) electrical engineering department, focusing on the effect on faculty of the: (1) removal of the chairman of that department; and (2) decision to administer a final examination that may have been compromised.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of the Navy | The Secretary of the Navy should direct the Chief of Naval Operations to determine whether the implementation by the various officer commissioning programs of the minimum professional core competencies in electricity and electronics are consistent and comply with the guidance. |
Closed – Implemented
The Chief of Naval Education and Training conducted a review of the minimum professional core competencies and the USNA electrical engineering core courses were restructured.
|
| Department of the Navy | The Secretary of the Navy should direct the Superintendent of the Naval Academy to explore the potential for satisfying the required minimum competency in electricity and electronics with other courses already in the core curriculum. |
Closed – Implemented
USNA revised its electrical engineering core courses.
|
| Department of the Navy | The Secretary of the Navy should direct the Superintendent of the Naval Academy to conduct a more systematic evaluation of the effectiveness of the initiatives implemented to improve the performance of midshipmen in the introductory electrical engineering courses. |
Closed – Implemented
USNA formed a committee and completed its evaluation in the summer of 1992. As a result, several electrical engineering courses were restructured and midshipmen performance in the core courses has improved.
|
| Department of the Navy | The Secretary of the Navy should direct the Superintendent of the Naval Academy to conduct an evaluation of the emphasis placed on academic activities in relation to military and physical activities. Such an evaluation should at a minimum include a review of the adequacy of study time and a review of the placement of extra instruction in the order of priorities outlined in the Midshipmen Regulations to ensure that they reinforce the Academy's emphasis on academics. |
Closed – Implemented
USNA now conducts an annual evaluation and midshipmen time study. This has resulted in a reallocation of daily hours devoted to study and increasing the priority of extra instruction.
|
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College facultyEducational testingElectrical engineeringEmployee demotionsFederal service academiesMilitary officersEngineeringMilitary forcesStudentsTeachers