Should the Bureau of Indian Affairs Continue To Provide Educational Services to Indian Children?

GAO was asked to comment on the possibility of transferring the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Indian education activities to the Department of Education. In response, GAO prepared a study of current efforts on the part of the Bureau to improve the academic achievement levels of Indian students. During the 1970's, GAO repeatedly reported that the Bureau was not providing quality education to Indians and that its education programs were badly managed. To bring about improvements, Congress enacted the Education Amendments of 1978. The act requires the Bureau to entirely revamp its organizational structure and programs. Moreover, many of the required changes have specific target dates for completion and most must be completed by the end of 1980.