Priority Open Recommendations: Department of Education

What GAO Found

In May 2025, GAO identified eight priority recommendations for the Department of Education. Since then, Education has implemented one of those recommendations.

In June 2026, GAO identified an additional three priority recommendations, bringing the total to 10. GAO is highlighting the following three areas that warrant timely and focused attention:

• Improving the federal student aid system,
• Protecting sensitive information, and
• Managing financial risks associated with charter school management organizations.

Addressing GAO's recommendations in these areas would make it easier for students and families to apply for financial aid and ensure a more successful modernization of the student aid system. It would also more effectively implement privacy protections for students and better manage financial risks associated with charter school management organizations. Taking action to implement all of GAO's open priority recommendations would enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of operations at Education.

Why GAO Did This Study

Priority open recommendations are the GAO recommendations that warrant priority attention from heads of key departments or agencies because their implementation could save large amounts of money; improve congressional and/or executive branch decision-making on major issues; eliminate mismanagement, fraud, and abuse; or make progress toward addressing a high risk or duplication issue, among other benefits.

Since 2015, GAO has sent letters to selected agencies to highlight the importance of implementing such recommendations.

For more information, contact: Cindy Brown Barnes at brownbarnesc@gao.gov.