**GAO-08-549T**                      Published: Mar 14, 2008. Publicly Released: Mar 14, 2008.                  

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## Highlights

In response to long-standing problems with student academic performance, the condition of school facilities, and the overall management of the D.C. public school system, the D.C. Council approved the Public Education Reform Amendment Act of 2007 (Reform Act). The Reform Act made major changes to the operations and governance of the D.C. public school system, including giving the Mayor authority over public schools, including curricula, personnel, and school facilities. While other large urban school districts have transferred governance of schools to their mayors, D.C. is unique because it functions as both local and state offices for many education responsibilities. GAO's testimony focuses on (1) the status of the District's efforts to reform its public school system, and (2) what the District has done to establish accountability for these efforts. To address these issues GAO reviewed documents, interviewed District education officials and interviewed principals from nine D.C. public schools.

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## Topics

Government Operations

AccountabilityAid for educationEducation program evaluationEducational facilitiesEducational standardsHuman capital planningPerformance managementPerformance measuresProgram evaluationProgram managementPublic schoolsRisk assessmentStrategic planningProgram goals or objectivesProgram implementation