Education Issues
OCG-93-18TR
Published: Dec 01, 1992. Publicly Released: Dec 01, 1992.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO summarized information on education issues facing Congress and the new administration, focusing on the need to: (1) enhance federal efforts to meet national educational goals; (2) reduce the cost and preserve the integrity of the student loan program; and (3) strengthen Department of Education management.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Education | The Department of Education must have information and financial management systems that provide needed data and protect the federal government's financial interests from waste, fraud, and mismanagement. Corrective actions will require new systems and revised regulations, or legislation, or both. |
Closed – Implemented
Although GAO continues to report that student financial aid programs are high risk, the Department has made a number of system enhancements designed to help protect the government's financial interests. Its FY 1997 financial statements received an unqualified opinion, a first. In addition, it implemented the Education Central Automated Processing System, which integrated many of its separate financial processes. The National Student Loan Data System is working to help resolve known data quality and reliability problems and improve data integrity. Also, the Department has reported that its 17 mission-critical systems, particularly those supporting its student financial aid programs, are year 2000 compliant, and it has awarded a contract to begin modernizing its student aid programs' information systems.
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Agency reportsAid for educationDisadvantaged personsEducation or training costsEmploymentInternal controlsMathematicsPhysical sciencesPresidential transitionPublic administration