ERIC Number: ED605505
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Apr
Pages: 31
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Bureau of Indian Education: Actions Needed to Improve Management of a Supplemental Education Program. Report to the Republican Leader, Committee on Education and Labor, House of Representatives. GAO-20-308
Emrey-Arras, Melissa
US Government Accountability Office
American Indian and Alaska Native students enrolled in public schools have performed consistently below other students on national assessments from 2005-2019. The Johnson-O'Malley (JOM) program provides academic and cultural supports, through contracts, to meet the specialized and unique educational needs of American Indian and Alaska Native students enrolled in public schools and select private schools. In fiscal year 2019, the Department of the Interior (Interior) allocated about $23 million for the JOM program, according to their budget documentation. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) was asked to review issues related to Interior's JOM program, administered by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE). This report examines the extent to which BIE (1) has key program information; (2) provides training to JOM contractors; and (3) clearly defines and identifies JOM roles and responsibilities. GAO reviewed relevant federal laws, regulations, and both BIE and JOM contractor documents; analyzed existing data and information on JOM; and interviewed agency officials, five JOM contractors of different types, and two nonprofit organizations selected for their knowledge of the JOM program. GAO is making five recommendations, including that the Director of BIE should maintain an accurate and complete list of JOM contractors, develop JOM training, and clearly define roles and responsibilities and identify staff for carrying out JOM functions. Interior agreed with the recommendations.
Descriptors: American Indian Students, American Indian Education, Public Schools, Alaska Natives, Academic Support Services, Program Descriptions, Culturally Relevant Education, Budgets, Private Schools, Educational Needs, Public Agencies, Resource Allocation, Federal Aid, Federal Programs, Federal Legislation, Program Evaluation, Public Officials, Administrator Attitudes, Contracts, Nonprofit Organizations, Accountability, Program Administration, Supplementary Education, Program Improvement, Staff Development, Administrator Role, Administrator Responsibility, Self Determination, Federal Indian Relationship, Elementary Secondary Education, Educational Finance
US Government Accountability Office. 441 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20548. Tel: 202-512-6000; Web site: http://www.gao.gov
Publication Type: Legal/Legislative/Regulatory Materials; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: US Government Accountability Office
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A