The Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 is a straightforward statute that requires all Federal agencies to manage their activities with attention to the consequences of those activities.  Each agency is to clearly state what intends to accomplish, identify the resources required, and periodically report their progress to the Congress.  In doing so, it is expected that GPRA will contribute to improvements in accountability for the expenditures of public funds, improve Congressional decision-making through more objective information on the effectiveness of Federal programs, and promote a new government focus on results, service delivery, and customer satisfaction.

How has the United States Department of Education Responded to the GPRA Requirements?

As required by GPRA, the United States Department of Education (the Department) has prepared a strategic plan for 1998-2002.  This plan reflects the Department’s priorities and integrates them with its mission and program authorities and describes how the Department will work to improve education for all children and adults in the United States.  The Department’s goals, as listed in the plan, are:

Goal 1: Help all students reach challenging academic standards so that they are prepared for responsible citizenship, further learning, and productive employment.

Goal 2:            Build a solid foundation for learning for all children.

Goal 3:            Ensure access to postsecondary education and lifelong learning.

Goal 4:            Make the United States Department of Education a high performance organization by focusing on results, service quality, and customer satisfaction.

What are the Performance Indicators for the IDEA: research and innovation; personnel preparation; technical assistance and dissemination; parent information; technology and media services; and studies and evaluation programs which one or more may be included in this announcement?

The activities of the Behavior and Reading Improvement Center are authorized under Part D of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, titled "National Activities to Improve Education of Children with Disabilities".  The Department's specific goal for the IDEA National Activities programs is "to link best practices to states, school systems, and families to improve results for infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities." The objectives and performance indicators for these programs are as follows:  

Objective 1. Programs respond to critical needs of children with disabilities and their families.

Indicator 1.1 Responsive to needs.  The percentage of idea program activities that are determined by expert panels to respond to critical needs of children with disabilities and their families will increase.  (a) research and innovation, (b) technology, (c) personnel preparation, (d) technical assistance, and (e) state improvement.

Objective. 2. Projects use high quality methods and materials.

Indicator 2.1 Highest standards for methods and materials.  Expert panels determine that idea-funded projects use exceedingly high-quality methods and materials.  (a) research and innovation (b) technology (c) personnel preparation (d) technical assistance (e) state improvement.

Objective 3. Projects communicate appropriately and products are used to improve results for children with disabilities and their families.

Indicator 3.1 Communication.  The percentage of idea-funded projects that communicate appropriately with target audiences will increase.  (a) research and innovation (b) technology (c) personnel preparation (d) technical assistance

Indicator 3.2  Use results.  Expert panels determine that practitioners, including policy-makers, administrators, teachers, parents, or others as appropriate, use products and practices developed through idea programs to improve results for children with disabilities.  (a) research and innovation (b) technology (c) personnel preparation (d) technical assistance (e) state improvement

Objective 4.  Personnel are prepared to serve children with disabilities.

Indicator 4.1  Persons trained serve children.   The percentage of persons who obtain their degrees with idea support and serve children with disabilities as teachers, early intervention personnel, related services personnel, or leadership personnel within 3 years of receiving their degrees will increase.

Indicator 4.2  Minority institutions. The percentage of idea grants for personnel preparation awarded to historically black colleges and universities and other minority institutions, including tribal colleges, will increase.

Indicator 4.3  Minority and disabled personnel.  The percentage of personnel who are minority and the percentage who are disabled who receive financial assistance for training under idea will increase.

Objective 5. Families receive information about services for children with disabilities.

Indicator 5.1  Informed families.  The percentage of families that report that the training and technical assistance received from the parent information and training centers made a positive difference in their child’s supports and services will increase.

Indicator 5.2  Families served.   The percentage of families of children with disabilities, particularly minority families that receive services from parent training and information programs will increase.

The Office of Special Education Programs has developed a comprehensive plan for responding to its GPRA requirement. Respondents to Part D funded projects are encouraged to use this information as they prepare their Grant Performance Reports.  A website is available with additional information on how each indicator is measured including the process and instruments used.