Recommendations for Executive Action

1. Status: Open

   Comments: Education agreed with this recommendation and stated that it would establish projected timeframes for providing states with additional information on allowable expenditures for the provision of preemployment transition services. Education also stated that it intends to provide states with additional information in at least two forums before the end of calendar year 2018 and to review and analyze previous guidance provided to states on allowable expenditures.

   Recommendation: The Secretary of Education should establish timeframes for providing states with additional information on allowable expenditures of funds reserved for pre-employment transition services. (Recommendation 1)

   Agency Affected: Department of Education

2. Status: Open

   Comments: Education disagreed with this recommendation, in large part, because there is no statutory provision authorizing the agency to identify such states. Nevertheless, Education stated that it is taking some steps as part of its ongoing monitoring of the VR program to provide assistance to states that have not updated their interagency agreements. This is consistent with the intention of our recommendation but we believe more could be done. The agency also noted that it would continue to offer and provide technical assistance if it becomes known through the onsite monitoring of the VR program or through other means that states have not updated their interagency agreements between VR agencies and state educational agencies. In addition, its Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) and Office of Special Education Programs will provide information related to sources of technical assistance, as appropriate, to VR agencies and state educational agencies. While these steps may be helpful, given the number of states that have not updated and finalized their agreements and the length of time Education officials say they will take to complete this round of monitoring where Education asks state VR agencies about these agreements, additional action by Education may be needed to help states more efficiently and effectively coordinate services to students with disabilities.

   Recommendation: The Secretary of Education should take additional steps to provide states assistance on updating and finalizing their interagency agreements with state educational agencies to include pre-employment transition services. These steps could include, for example, accelerating their efforts to discuss the benefits of finalizing interagency agreements, and reminding states of existing technical assistance resources pertaining to updating and finalizing interagency agreements. (Recommendation 2)

   Agency Affected: Department of Education

3. Status: Open

   Comments: Education disagreed with this recommendation believing it is premature to develop a timeline for the dissemination of best practices. The agency stated that the identification of "best" practices, meaning those that are clearly supported by a body of evidence derived from valid and reliable research findings, is still emerging as states implement the requirements. Education stated that as RSA identifies best practices through its monitoring and technical assistance activities, it will, in collaboration with its Office of Special Education Programs, consider when and how best to disseminate this information to state VR and educational agencies. With regard to including specific timeframes and activities in a written plan, by detailing the specific steps Education is taking and plans to take along with the amount of time it expects them to take, Education would be better positioned to complete those steps in a timely manner and meet the statutory requirement that Education highlight best state practices and support state agencies.

   Recommendation: The Secretary of Education should develop a written plan with specific timeframes and activities for identifying and disseminating best practices that address, as appropriate, implementation challenges for pre-employment transition services, such as those identified in this report. (Recommendation 3)

   Agency Affected: Department of Education

Explore the full database of GAO's Open Recommendations »