GAO’s recommendations database contains report recommendations that still need to be addressed.
GAO’s priority recommendations are those that we believe warrant priority attention.
We sent letters to the heads of key departments and agencies, urging them to continue focusing on these issues.
Below you can search only priority recommendations, or search all recommendations.
Our recommendations help congressional and agency leaders prepare for appropriations and oversight activities, as well as help improve government operations.
Moreover, when implemented, some of our priority recommendations can save large amounts of money, help Congress make decisions on major issues, and substantially improve or transform major government programs or agencies, among other benefits.
As of October 25, 2020, there are 4812 open recommendations, of which 473 are priority recommendations. Recommendations remain open until they are designated as Closed-implemented or Closed-not implemented.
Browse or Search Open Recommendations
Have a Question about a Recommendation?
For questions about a specific recommendation, contact the person or office listed with the recommendation.
For general information about recommendations, contact GAO's Audit Policy and Quality Assurance office at (202) 512-6100 or apqa@gao.gov.
Recommendation: To help improve students' access to information so that they can make well-informed transfer decisions, the Secretary of Education should require schools to (1) disclose the list of schools with which they have articulation agreements online if the school has a website, and (2) clearly inform students, on the school's website if it has one, when no articulation agreements on credit transfer are in place. If the department determines that it does not have the authority to require this, it should nonetheless encourage schools to take these actions (through guidance or other means).
Agency: Department of Education Status: Open
Comments: As of March 2020, Education continues to disagree with this recommendation, noting that it already requires schools to disclose a list of other schools with which they have established articulation agreements. However, we believe that posting this information online would make it more accessible to prospective students compared to publications located physically on a school's campus, particularly for those who live far away from the school. Education also noted that students should contact specific schools to obtain accurate and updated transfer information. However, we found that not all schools listed transfer-specific contacts on their websites. In addition, Education cautioned that placing special emphasis on articulation agreements could mislead students because the agreements - or lack thereof - do not fully reflect the transferability of credits However, we found that a majority of schools already disclose a list of partner schools on their websites. We believe that posting a list of partner schools online would complement credit transfer policies, which schools are already required to post online. Given that the purpose of required consumer disclosures on articulation agreements is to inform students, we continue to believe that posting this information online would make it more accessible to prospective students and their families while enhancing students' understanding of their transfer options.
