The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently conducted a number of audits that point out weaknesses in the way the agency handles some of its programs and services.
One of the reports from the department's independent watchdog looks at programs that measure student learning through competency-based, direct assessment. In its review, OIG concluded that the agency did not do enough to ensure that only programs that meet regulatory requirements are approved as eligible for Title IV funding.
While the Education Department did not "explicitly agree or disagree with the finding," it pledged to reassess the risks that should be considered in approving direct assessment programs. The agency also signaled that it would soon issue new formal guidance on such programs.
The audit comes as the Obama administration and members of Congress are increasingly interested in allowing federal aid to flow to direct assessment programs – and, more generally, all types of programs that are structured around students' knowledge rather than classroom time, Inside Higher Ed reported.
Another report found that the department does not have adequate internal controls in place to ensure that the programs it runs for low-income students are not duplicating services.
The audit reviewed the department's oversight of the Talent Search, Upward Bound, and Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness For Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) programs. OIG found that 86 of the 304 grantees between 2009 and 2011 used funds from all three grant programs. While the audit did not note any specific evidence that students were being provided redundant services, the inspector general recommended that the department boost its internal processes and provide clearer documentation.
Related Links
U.S. Department of Education's Office of Inspector General (OIG) Letter regarding the "Direct Assessment Programs: Processes for Identifying Risks and Evaluating Applications for Title IV Eligibility Need Strengthening to Better Mitigate Risks Posed to the Title IV Programs" Audit Report
http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oig/auditreports/fy2014/a05n0004.pdf
Inside Higher Ed
https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2014/10/02/us-audit-faults-education-dept-direct-assessment
U.S. Department of Education's Office of Inspector General (OIG) Letter regarding the "Office of Postsecondary Education Duplication of Effort with Discretionary Grants" Audit Report
http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oig/auditreports/fy2014/a06n0002.pdf