Management’s

Discussion

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

and
Analysis

FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education

FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education
 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Our Mission
Historically, the Department’s mission has and ensure that every child has the opportunity to
been “to ensure equal access to education and learn and to reap the benefits of a high quality
to promote educational excellence throughout education.
the nation.” Nearly five years after the
Our nation’s schools are the foundation for an
enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act of
economic engine that helps ensure we are a country
2001, this mission requires the Department to
with educated citizenry, full employment, and the
focus on achieving academic proficiency by
ability to be fully competitive in the international
2014, increasing the rigor of mathematics and
marketplace.
science curricula, improving American
competitiveness, and providing access to To maintain our national competitiveness we must
higher education for all. have world-class higher education and continuous
learning systems. These systems derive from a
Of the many services that government
secondary education system that graduates high
provides to its citizens, few are as far-
school students with advanced mathematics and
reaching as education. Every community
science skills. Students with these skills are the
throughout America has schools that provide
product of rigorous mathematics and science
instruction in reading, writing, mathematics,
programs in elementary schools. These programs
and science, as well as immersion in
focus on inclusion of all students in challenging
American history and culture. Most

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

and comprehensive instruction using best practices
communities also have a high school where
and research-based techniques.
students learn science, mathematics, and
other subjects that help them become America has the world’s greatest range of
informed American citizens. In addition, educational environments to meet the diverse needs
technical and
postsecondary Continuous National Improvement
educational
institutions are Through Education
available to
Americans to
Elementary Increased Improvement
further improve
Students & Parents

Reading & Rigor in in High

their skills and
Teacher Quality

Mathematics Mathematics School

education and Proficiency & Science Competitiveness
enable them to
become
contributing
members of our
society. More Students
Improved
Improved
Accessing National
The Department Job
Postsecondary
Competitiveness Competitiveness
is proud to be a Education
part of this grand
enterprise.
Nationally, education expenditures are of its students: public schools, public charter
approximately $900 billion. The Department schools, specialized schools, and nonpublic
provides $99.8 billion—or 11 percent of the schools. This report discusses how the Department
total—to help leverage the balance of funding of Education has supported and will continue to
support these initiatives and activities.

FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education 3

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

History and Organization

The federal government recognized that The Elementary and Secondary Education Act
furthering education is a national priority in launched a comprehensive set of programs that are
1867, when its initial role in education still administered by the Department today. To
encompassed statistical data collection and further enhance this legislation, President Bush
reporting. Although the agency’s form and recommended, and the Congress enacted, the
location in the Executive Branch have No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. This recent
changed over the years, the federal focus has amendment to the 1965 act established programs
remained on identifying and sharing what that account for more than 40 percent of the
works in education with teachers and Department’s fiscal year 2006 discretionary
education policymakers. It was not until spending.
May 1980 that the Congress established the
Today, the Department operates programs that
Department of Education as a Cabinet-level
touch every area and level of education. The
agency.
elementary and secondary programs annually serve
By that time, several major legislative actions 15,500 school districts and approximately
had been taken to channel federal support to 50 million students. Department programs also
improve the quality of, and access to, provide grant, loan, and work-study assistance to
education. Legislation in the late 1800s and more than 10 million postsecondary students.
early 1900s focused on the areas of education
The Department strives to achieve these results
Management’s Discussion and Analysis

that would support America’s overall

with the smallest workforce of the 15 Cabinet-level
economic progress, such as the creation of
departments. Fewer than 4,200 full-time-
land-grant colleges and universities, and on
equivalent staff manage approximately $58 billion
agricultural, industrial, and home economics
in annual discretionary funds and oversee a student
training for high school students. Later major
financial loan portfolio exceeding $400 billion.
legislative actions included the Lanham Act
of 1941, Impact Aid, and the “GI Bill.” In 2005, Secretary Spellings announced a new
These actions, a direct result of the impact of coordinating structure—one that better focuses
World War II on our country’s families, resources on assisting our educational partners and
supported school districts that were affected emphasizes tangible results as the yardstick of our
by the large number of military enlistments success. This structure will result in a Department
and provided opportunities for education for that is increasingly responsive to the needs of
those men and women who served their states, districts, schools, teachers, students,
country. institutions of higher education, and other
stakeholders in fostering academic achievement.
Between World War II and 1980, several
The revised coordinating structure is displayed on
landmark legislative actions shaped
the next page.
America’s education systems. The focus
during this period was equal access, and the The Department recognizes the primary role of
legislation included Title VI of the Civil states and school districts in providing a high
Rights Act of 1964, the Elementary and quality education, employing highly qualified
Secondary Education Act of 1965, the Higher teachers and administrators, and establishing
Education Act of 1965, Title IX of the challenging content and achievement standards.
Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 The federal role is to supplement these state and
of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the local efforts with leadership, expertise, and targeted
Education of All Handicapped Children Act resources that optimize opportunities and improve
of 1975, now known as the Individuals with achievements for all Americans.
Disabilities Education Act.

4 FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Department of Education Coordinating Structure

FY 2006

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education 5

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Our Customers
Every American has a stake in the nation’s education success.
The Department’s customers include child’s test results and whether their child’s school
American taxpayers, students, teachers, is making adequate yearly progress. If a school
parents, postsecondary students, institutions, does not make progress, parents can choose to have
and global citizens. When No Child Left their child transferred to another school. The
Behind took effect, the government following year if the school does not make
intensified its commitment to the students of progress, parents are informed and students are
America’s elementary and secondary schools. provided supplemental education services.
The act benefits children, empowers parents,
Teachers
supports teachers, and strengthens schools.
According to the 2004 School and Staffing Survey,
Elementary and Secondary Students there were 3.3 million public school teachers and
According to the Department’s report, The 87,621 principals working in 15,500 school
Condition of Education 2006, there are signs districts throughout the country. No Child Left
of improved achievement at the elementary Behind includes provisions stating that all teachers
and secondary levels. U.S. fourth-grade in core academic areas must be highly qualified in
students had higher average scores in reading the core academic subjects they teach by the end of
literacy than the international average as the 2005–06 school year. In general, a highly
measured in the 2001 Progress in qualified teacher must have a bachelor’s degree,
Management’s Discussion and Analysis

International Reading Literacy Study. Thirty- full state certification as defined by the state, and
five countries participated, and the U.S. demonstrated competency as defined by the state in
students had a higher average than 23 of the each core academic subject he or she teaches.
other 34 countries that participated.
Postsecondary Students and Institutions
In mathematics and science, the U.S. More students are enrolling in colleges and getting
demonstrated mixed results. U.S. fourth- degrees, and the enrollment increase is projected to
grade students showed no measurable change continue through 2015. The number of bachelor’s
in performance in the 2003 Trends in degrees awarded increased by 33 percent between
International Mathematics and Science Study, 1989–90 and 2003–04, while the number of
while eighth-graders’ performance improved. associate’s degrees increased by 46 percent.
The standings of fourth-graders actually Female college enrollment passed male enrollment
declined in both mathematics and science in 1978, and the gender gap has widened and is
relative to students from the 14 other expected to grow.
countries that participated in both the 1995
and 2003 assessments. To help students who could not otherwise afford
postsecondary education, the Department provides
Since the inception of the Individuals with assistance through various programs such as the
Disabilities Education Act, the number and Federal Family Education Loan Program, the
percentage of youth aged 3–21 enrolled in Federal Direct Loan Program, the Pell Grant
public schools who receive special education Program, the Perkins Loan Program, and the
services have steadily increased. In 2004–05, Federal Work-Study Program, authorized under
more than 6.7 million youth aged 3–21 were Title IV of the Higher Education Act. In 2006, the
served under the act. Department’s office of Federal Student Aid
Parents delivered approximately $77 billion in aid to more
than 10 million students attending over
The provisions of No Child Left Behind have
6,100 institutions.
made schools more accountable to parents
and provided parents with information about
their children and what they should expect
from their schools. No Child Left Behind
requires that parents be informed about their

6 FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Performance Results and Highlights

In fiscal year (FY) 2006, the Department Each year, the Department assesses key measures
administered and assessed 150 programs. for that year’s performance plan and evaluates the
The key measures provided in this report utility and appropriateness of those measures. As a
represent those measures that provide an result, key measures are continued, replaced, or
overall assessment of the Department’s completely removed from the objective key
progress in achieving improvements in the measurement process. This assessment process
educational system. provides a method for continued improvement and
enhancement in Department programs.
The table below summarizes the
Department’s performance results for Shown below are the actual results for each key
FY 2006 key measures. There are 64 key measure. The table presents whether the actual
performance measures that support the result met, failed to meet, or exceeded the expected
Department’s mission and strategic goals. target. The shaded areas indicate that a measure
was not in place during the time period. In some
For the most recent data available, the
cases, establishing a baseline is the target and is
Department met or exceeded targets for
recognized as met if the data are available and the
33 key measures, did not meet 15, and is
baseline is established. For measures where data
awaiting data for the remainder. This year,
are not currently available, the date the data are

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

data are pending for 16 key measures, which
expected is indicated.
is a result of the time lag of between 12 and
24 months from the end of the measurement
period.

Legend

NA = No measure for period √ = Met target + = Exceeded target

T = Measure replaced or r = Less than target or prior
discontinued year level

Performance Results Summary Cohort FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2006

Strategic Goal 1 – Create a Culture of Achievement
1.1 – Link federal education funding to accountability for results
A. Number of states that have reading/language arts assessments that align with the state’s
academic content standards for all students in grades 3–8 and in high school. [1201] √ r r

B. Number of states that have mathematics assessments that align with the state’s
academic content standards for all students in grades 3–8 and in high school. [1202] √ r r

C. Number of states that have science assessments that align with the state’s academic Dec.
NA NA
content standards for all students in grades 3–8 and in high school. [1203] 2007
D. Number of states that have completed field testing of the required assessments in
reading/language arts. [1204]
NA + √T
E. Number of states that have completed field testing of the required assessments in
mathematics. [1205]
NA + √T
F. Number of states that have completed field testing of the required assessments in
science. [1206]
NA NA +
1.2 – Increase flexibility and local control
A. Percentage of eligible school districts utilizing the Rural Education Achievement Program Apr.
flexibility authority. [1473] r r 2007
B. Overall American Customer Satisfaction Index as scored by Department grantees. [2200] NA √ r
1.3 – Increase information and options for parents
A. Number of charter schools in operation around the nation. [1146] r + +
B. Amount of funding program grantees’ leverage for the acquisition, construction or Feb.
renovation of charter school facilities. [1208] r + 2007

FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education 7

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Performance Results Summary Cohort FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2006

1.4 – Encourage the use of scientifically based methods within federal education programs
A. Proportion of school-adopted approaches that have strong evidence of effectiveness Dec.
NA NA
compared to programs and interventions without such evidence. [2201] 2007

Strategic Goal 2 – Improve Student Achievement

2.1 – Ensure that all students read on grade level by the third grade
A. Number of states reporting an increase in the percentage of fourth-grade low-income
Aug.
students meeting state performance standards by scoring at or above proficient in NA r 2007
reading/language arts on state assessments. [1066]
B. Number of states reporting an increase in the percentage of fourth-grade students with
Aug.
disabilities meeting state performance standards by scoring at or above proficient on NA r 2007
state assessments in reading. [1519]
C. Number of states that met the state target for attainment of English language proficiency. Jan.
NA NA
[1830] 2007
2.2 – Improve mathematics and science achievement for all students
A. Number of states reporting an increase in the percentage of eighth-grade low-income
Aug.
students meeting state performance standards by achieving proficiency or above in NA + 2007
mathematics on state assessments. [1067]
B. Number of states reporting an increase in the percentage of eighth-grade students with
Aug.
disabilities meeting state performance standards by scoring at or above proficient on NA + 2007
state assessments in mathematics. [1520]
2.3 – Improve the performance of all high school students
A. Percentage of students with disabilities who graduate from high school with a regular high Aug.
school diploma. [1527]
NA √ 2007
Management’s Discussion and Analysis

B. Percentage of students with disabilities who drop out of school. [1528] Aug.
NA + 2007
C. Number of Advanced Placement tests taken by low-income public school students Jan.
NA NA
nationally. [1149] 2007
2.4 – Improve teacher and principal quality
A. Percentage of core academic classes in high-poverty schools taught by highly qualified Dec.
teachers. [1180]
NA √ 2007
B. Percentage of core academic classes in elementary schools taught by highly qualified Dec.
teachers. [1182] + + 2007
C. Percentage of core academic classes in secondary schools taught by highly qualified Dec.
teachers. [1183] + + 2007

Strategic Goal 3 – Develop Safe Schools and Strong Character

3.1 – Ensure that our nation’s schools are safe and drug free, and that students are free of
alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs
A. Percentage of Safe Schools/Healthy Students grant sites that experience a decrease in 04 Dec.
the number of violent incidents at schools during the three-year grant period (by cohort).
NA √ 2006
[1825 & 2019]
05 Dec.
NA NA
2006
B. Percentage of Safe Schools/Healthy Students grant sites that experience a decrease in 04 Dec.
substance abuse during the three-year grant period (by cohort). [1826 & 2020]
NA √ 2006
05 Dec.
NA NA
2006
C. Percentage of Safe Schools/Healthy Students grant sites that improve school attendance 04 Dec.
during the three-year grant period (by cohort). [1827 & 2021]
NA √ 2006
05 Dec.
NA NA
2006
D. Percentage of Student Drug Testing grantees that experience a 5 percent annual
reduction in the incidence of past-month drug use by students in the target population (by 03 NA NA √
cohort). [1828]
E. Percentage of Student Drug Testing grantees that experience a 5 percent annual
reduction in the incidence of past-year drug use by students in the target population (by 03 NA NA √
cohort). [1829]
3.2 – Promote strong character and citizenship among our nation’s youth.

8 FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Performance Results Summary Cohort FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2006

Strategic Goal 4 – Transform Education into an Evidence-Based Field
4.1 – Raise the quality of research funded or conducted by the Department
A. Percentage of new research proposals funded by the Department’s National Center for
Education Research that receive an average score of excellent or higher from an NA √ r
independent review panel of qualified scientists. [1022]
B. Percentage of new research proposals funded by the Department’s National Center for
Special Education Research that receive an average score of excellent or higher from an NA NA √
independent review panel of qualified scientists. [1940]
4.2 – Increase the relevance of our research in order to meet the needs of our customers
A. Percentage of new research projects funded by the Department’s National Center for
Education Research and National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Dec. Mar.
Assistance that are deemed to be of high relevance to education practices as determined √ 2006 2007
by an independent review panel of qualified practitioners. [1028]
B. Percentage of new research projects funded by the Department’s National Center for
Special Education Research that are deemed to be of high relevance by an independent NA NA √
panel of qualified practitioners. [1942]

Strategic Goal 5 – Enhance the Quality of and Access to Postsecondary and Adult Education
5.1 – Reduce the gaps in college access and completion among student populations differing
by race or ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and disability while increasing the educational
attainment of all
A. Percentage of TRIO Educational Opportunity Centers participants enrolling in college. Dec.
[1612] + r 2007

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

B. Percentage of TRIO Student Support Services participants persisting at the same Dec.
institution. [1617] + + 2007
C. Percentage of TRIO Student Support Services participants completing an associate’s
Dec.
degree at the original institution or transferring to a four-year institution within three years. NA NA
2007
[1618]
D. Percentage of TRIO Student Support Services first-year students completing a bachelor’s Dec.
degree at the original institution within six years. [1619] r r 2007
E. Percentage of TRIO McNair participants enrolling in graduate school. [1614] Dec.
+ + 2007
F. Percentage of TRIO McNair participants persisting in graduate school. [1615] Dec.
+ + 2007
5.2 – Strengthen the accountability of postsecondary institutions
5.3 – Establish funding mechanisms for postsecondary education
5.4 – Strengthen Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and
Tribal Colleges and Universities
A. Percentage of full-time undergraduate students who were in their first year of
postsecondary enrollment in the previous year and are enrolled in the current year at the NA NA r
same Historically Black College or University. [1587]
B. Percentage of students enrolled at four-year Historically Black Colleges and Universities Dec.
NA NA
graduating within six years of enrollment. [1589] 2007
C. Number of Ph.D., first professional, and master’s degrees awarded at Historically Black Dec.
NA NA
Graduate Institutions. [1595] 2007
D. Percentage of full-time undergraduate students who were in their first year of
postsecondary enrollment in the previous year and are enrolled in the current year at the NA NA +
same Tribally Controlled College or University. [1569]
E. Percentage of students enrolled at four-year Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities Dec.
NA NA
graduating within six years of enrollment. [1571] 2007
F. Percentage of students enrolled at two-year Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities Dec.
NA NA
who graduate within three years of enrollment. [1572] 2007
G. Percentage of full-time undergraduate students who were in their first year of
Dec.
postsecondary enrollment in the previous year and are enrolled in the current year at the NA NA
2007
same Hispanic-Serving Institution.[1601]
H. Percentage of students enrolled at four-year Hispanic-Serving Institutions graduating Dec.
NA NA
within six years of enrollment. [1603] 2007
I. Percentage of students enrolled at two-year Hispanic-Serving Institutions who graduate Dec.
NA NA
within three years of enrollment. [1604] 2007
5.5 – Enhance the literacy and employment skills of American adults
A. Percentage of general and combined state vocational rehabilitation agencies that assist Apr.
at least 55.8 percent of individuals receiving services to achieve employment. [1681] r r 2007

FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education 9

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Performance Results Summary Cohort FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2006

B. Percentage of adults with a high school completion goal who earn a high school diploma Dec.
or recognized equivalent. [1386] + + 2006
C. Percentage of adults enrolled in English literacy programs who acquire the level of
Dec.
English language skills needed to complete the levels of instruction in which they r r 2006
enrolled. [1384]
5.6 – Increase the capacity of U.S. postsecondary education institutions to teach world
languages, area studies, and international issues
A. Percentage of critical languages taught, as reflected by the list of critical languages Dec. Dec.
NA
referenced in the HEA, Title VI program statute. [1665] 2006 2007
B. Percentage of National Resource Center Ph.D. graduates who find employment in higher Dec. Dec.
education, government and national security. [1664] + 2006 2007
C. Average competency score of Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship Program
Dec.
recipients at the end of one full year of instruction minus the average score at the + √ 2006
beginning of the year. [1671]

Strategic Goal 6 – Establish Management Excellence

6.1 – Develop and maintain financial integrity and management internal controls
A. Achieve an unqualified opinion. [2204] √ √ √
6.2 – Improve the strategic management of the Department’s human capital
A. Index of quality human capital performance management activities. [2205] NA √ r
6.3 – Manage information technology resources, using e-gov, to improve service for our
customers and partners
A. Percentage of grant programs providing online application capability. [2206] NA + √
Management’s Discussion and Analysis

6.4 – Modernize the Federal Student Assistance programs

A. Customer service level for Free Application for Federal Student Assistance on the Web.
NA r r
[2207]
B. Customer service level for Direct Loan Servicing. [2208] NA r +
C. Customer service level for Common Origination and Disbursement. [2209] NA + +
D. Customer service level for Lender Reporting System. [2210] NA r r
6.5 – Achieve budget and performance integration to link funding decisions to results
A. Percentage of Department program dollars associated with programs reviewed under the Aug.
Program Assessment Rating Tool process that demonstrate effectiveness. [2211]
NA + 2007
6.6 – Leverage the contributions of faith-based and community organizations to increase the
effectiveness of Department programs
A. Percentage of applications in competitions of amenable discretionary programs that are
faith-based or community organizations. [2212]
NA NA √

Performance Achievements Despite the great promise and progress of No Child

Five years after the enactment of the No Child Left Left Behind, gaps remain in the federal effort to
Behind Act, the revolutionary changes to our improve the performance of America’s public
education system called for by President Bush are schools. These gaps are exposed by the rapid pace
almost implemented. States have put in place of technological change and increasing global
rigorous new accountability systems and are economic competition.
implementing reading and math assessments To ensure a strong and prosperous America in the
covering all students in grades three through eight. 21st century, our students must possess the
Improved data collection and reporting on teacher mathematics and science knowledge that is the
qualifications are helping states to ensure that all foundation of our nation’s long dominance in
teachers are highly qualified. School districts are science, technology, and innovation; graduate from
providing new support and assistance to low- high school prepared to enter college or the
performing schools while making available public globally competitive workforce; and master critical
school choice and supplemental educational service foreign languages needed both for success in the
options to millions of students who attend those global business arena and to ensure our national
schools. security in the war on terrorism.

10 FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

In FY 2006, the Department of Education The Hurricane Education Recovery Act also
administered over $77 billion in new grants, loans, authorized the Secretary, under certain
and work-study assistance to help over 10 million circumstances, to waive or modify any statutory or
students and their families pay for college. In regulatory provision applicable to the student
addition to student financial assistance, the financial assistance programs under Title IV of the
Department provides continuing support for Higher Education Act, as amended. The Secretary
institutional development at colleges and determined that institutions in the impacted areas in
universities serving large percentages of minority possession of Title IV funds awarded to students
students and funds opportunities for postsecondary enrolled for the disrupted academic period will,
students to gain international expertise and training generally, not be required to return funds for the
as language and area specialists. students who withdrew or never began attendance.
The aid related to this waiver was approximately
Hurricane Relief $28 million.
On December 30, 2005, President Bush signed into As of September 30, 2006, over $230 million had
law the Hurricane Education Recovery Act. This been expended from the Emergency Impact Aid for
act provided $1.4 billion to help school districts Displaced Students program for restart aid. This
and schools meet the educational needs of students funding was intended by the Congress for expenses
displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The related to the restart of school operations, the
funding provided under the act also helped schools reopening of and the re-enrollment of students in

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

that closed as a result of the hurricanes to reopen as elementary and secondary schools in Gulf Coast
quickly and effectively as possible. The act also states.
provided funding of $200 million to help higher
education institutions directly affected by the In addition, the Department received approximately
hurricanes, as well as other colleges and $61 million in foreign aid donations to rebuild and
universities around the country that enrolled restore educational institutions at all levels in the
displaced students. An additional $285 million was affected areas. Of this amount, $35 million has
later authorized and provided by the Congress, been awarded.
totaling $1.9 billion to assist the educational
institutions in the immediately affected areas and President’s Management Agenda
those educational systems that provided assistance
for displaced students. Approximately During FY 2006, the Department made significant
$900 million, or 47 percent of authorized funding, improvements on the President’s Management
was provided to assist local educational agencies Agenda scorecard. The Office of Management and
that accepted and assisted displaced students. Budget recognized improved status for the
Department in three areas: E-government,
Budget-Performance Integration, and Eliminating
Funds Appropriated for Improper Payments. E-government met all
Hurricane Relief milestones and continues to improve overall.
Higher Budget-Performance Integration met efficiency
Education
Restart measures for all PART and marginal cost
13%
Operations standards, and has assessed 99.4 percent of the
40%
Hom eless budgeted dollars, excluding programs that are
Youth < 1% exempted. In addition, the Department has
assessed many programs that are not required to be
assessed. The Department continues to make
progress in the Eliminating Improper Payments
Displaced
Students
initiative by developing timelines for specific risk
47% assessments and finalizing estimates for major
programs. See p. 18 for the Scorecard Results.

FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education 11

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Civil Rights Enforcement Civil rights enforcement responsibilities include

The enforcement of civil rights laws drives student investigating complaints alleging discrimination,
outcomes by ensuring that discrimination does not conducting compliance reviews of educational
deny or limit student access to education programs institutions, and providing technical assistance to
and activities at any educational level. The educational institutions on compliance with the law
Department enforces five civil rights laws that and to parents and students on their rights under the
protect students against discrimination on the basis law. The Department also issues regulations on
of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, and civil rights laws, develops policy guidance
age primarily in educational institutions that interpreting the laws, and distributes the
receive federal funds. In addition, the Department information broadly.
ensures that the Boy Scouts of America and other At the beginning of FY 2006, the Office for Civil
designated youth groups have equal access to meet Rights had 1,546 pending complaints of
in elementary and secondary schools that receive discrimination. During the year, the Department
federal funds from the Department. These received an additional 5,805 complaints and
antidiscrimination laws protect approximately resolved 5,893. The goal of each investigation is to
50 million students attending elementary and address the alleged discrimination promptly and to
secondary schools and more than 17.7 million determine if civil rights laws and regulations have
students attending colleges and universities. been violated. As shown in the chart below, the
The Office for Civil Rights, a law enforcement majority of complaints received by the Department
agency within the Department, performs civil rights allege discrimination due to disability.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis

enforcement responsibilities in a variety of ways.

FY 2006 Discrimination Complaints

Disability
52%

Other** 11%
Race/
National
Origin 17%
Multiple 13%

Sex 6% Age 1%

** Indicates no jurisdiction or jurisdiction not yet determined.

12 FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Data Quality
Complete, accurate, and reliable data are using well-organized and methodologically
essential for effective decision-making. State rigorous techniques.
and local educational agencies have
• Internal—After the data files have been
historically provided education performance
submitted by the state educational agencies,
data that do not fully meet information
data will be validated through electronic and
quality standards. With the passage of the No
human subject matter expert review processes.
Child Left Behind Act, the accuracy of state
and local educational performance data is These data quality control procedures and
even more crucial. Funding decisions are checkpoints ensure both the quality of the data and
made and management actions are taken on that reports produced by EDFacts will be accurate
the basis of this performance information. and timely.
Reliable information is a prerequisite for
To remedy the challenges faced in the collection of
effective management. However, ensuring
data, EDFacts is undergoing a rigorous assessment
that data are high quality is not solely the
to determine the best course of development for the
responsibility of our grantees.
further enhancement of the data quality control
processes. Once this assessment is completed and
Performance Data the recommended options selected, the data quality

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Collecting Data from the States Through program will be refined and enhanced, enabling the
EDFacts. EDFacts is a collaborative effort Department to do the following:
among the Department, state educational
agencies, and industry partners to place the • Validate and improve data accuracy by
use of timely and accurate performance data identifying data collection gaps, inaccurate
at the core of decision- and policy-making in data, and data anomalies.
education. This initiative provides a • Ensure that the data presented in reports
centralized tool to collect, access, and use represent valid comparisons.
educational performance data in support of
the requirements of No Child Left Behind. It • Display quality metrics on reports.
also organizes collection activities in a way • Provide reporting tools and data access to
that minimizes the burden on the state Department leadership, federal program
educational agencies, which provide the offices, state and local educational agencies,
Department with these data. schools, and the public.
Data collected will be used to evaluate the
• Limit access to data based on security and
effectiveness of federal education programs
privacy requirements.
and monitor the status of states in meeting the
requirements of No Child Left Behind. The • Provide predefined reports that display
data will provide the transparency required to transmittal statistics on the state’s submissions,
track and improve program management, and provide the Department with the same
including identifying the federal education information at the national level.
programs that provide the best outcomes for
The Department’s future data quality improvement
students and their families.
requirements include the following:
Confidence in the programs and their results
• An organization responsible for data quality.
begins with data quality. There are two major
areas of focus in the EDFacts data quality • The ability for state educational agencies to
program: view and resolve data submission errors via a
user-friendly Web interface.
• External—Prior to submission to
EDFacts, data collection at the school, • A centralized data certification system and
district, and state levels will be conducted process.
• A single data repository for data usage.

FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education 13

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

• Access to financial data related to accuracy and reliability of data for No Child Left
program management and monitoring. Behind reporting, integrated performance-based
budgeting and general program management. In
Federal Student Aid. Federal Student Aid is
addition to completeness, accuracy and reliability,
improving systems to yield reliable
the Department acknowledges the need for
performance data to make informed budget
improvements in the timeliness of data. Currently,
and policy decisions. These systems will
data time lags between 12 and 24 months exist for
enhance the budget process and increase the
some performance data. The Department expects
accuracy and reliability of information
that the implementation of EDFacts will help to
received from operating partners.
reduce the reporting burden on state and local
educational agencies, resulting in an improvement
Department Data Quality in the timeliness of data.
The Department itself also develops and uses
data. One of the most visible areas in which The Department also produces financial data for
this occurs is the annual budget development official submission to the Congress, the Office of
process. One goal of the budget process is to Management and Budget, and other federal
use program performance data in the authorities as mandated in the Government
formulation and execution of the Performance and Results Act. The data quality
Department’s budget. One of the five processes for financial data are reflected in our
government-wide elements of the President’s audit report and management’s internal control
Management Agenda is the integration of over financial reporting assessment. The financial
Management’s Discussion and Analysis

budget and performance, which focuses on statements, associated notes, and auditor’s reports
making budget decisions based on results. can be found on pp. 91-155, which include the
required Limitations of the Financial Statements.
The Department recognizes the benefits of Management’s Assurance of internal control can be
and need for improving the completeness, found on p. 24.

14 FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Financial Highlights
In order to support state and school districts programs. Postsecondary grants and administration
in providing quality education, the Office of of student financial assistance accounted for
the Chief Financial Officer is responsible for 58 percent, including loan programs costs that
providing accurate, timely, and useful grant, helped more than 10 million students and their
loan, contract, and financial management parents to better afford higher education during
information to all Department stakeholders. FY 2006. An additional 5 percent went toward
other programs and grants encompassing research,
The Department continues to enhance the
development, and dissemination, as well as
model for what constitutes a high-quality
rehabilitation services. Administrative
financial reporting environment. This model
expenditures are less than 2 percent of the
will result in financial reports that reflect the
Department’s appropriations.
underlying economics of the business in a
comparable, consistent fashion. The model Nearly all the Department’s non-administrative
emphasizes transparency as the method to appropriations support three primary lines of
facilitate the free flow of information to business—grants, guaranteed loans, and direct
decision-makers and stakeholders. loans. The original principal balances of the
Federal Family Education Loans and Federal Direct
The Department consistently produces
Student Loans, which compose a large share of
accurate and timely financial information that

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

federal student financial assistance, are funded by
is used by management to inform decision-
commercial bank guarantees and borrowings.
making and drive results in key areas of
operation. For the fifth consecutive year, we The Department’s three largest grant programs are
achieved an unqualified (clean) opinion from Title I grants for elementary and secondary
independent auditors on the annual financial education, Pell Grants for postsecondary financial
statements. Since 2003, the auditors have aid, and Special Education Grants to States under
found no material weaknesses in the the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Department’s internal control over financial Each program’s FY 2006 appropriation exceeded
reporting. In accordance with the Office of $10 billion.
Management and Budget’s Circular
The Federal Family Education Loan Program
No. A-123, Management’s Responsibility for
insures the loan capital from more than 3,200
Internal Control, the Department continues to
private lenders available to students and their
test and evaluate findings and risk
families. Through 35 active state and private
determinations uncovered in management’s
nonprofit Guaranty Agencies, the Department
internal control assessment.
administers the federal loan guarantee program to
In the first quarter of FY 2007, the protect lenders against losses related to borrower
Department will complete the implementation default. As of the end of September 2006, the total
of an upgraded financial management system. principal balance of outstanding guaranteed loans
This system implementation will provide the held by lenders was approximately $325 billion.
Department an enhanced financial The government’s estimated maximum exposure
management solution by improving reporting for defaulted loans is approximately $321 billion.
capabilities, data processing, and general
The Federal Direct Student Loan Program, created
financial management. The new system will
by the Student Loan Reform Act of 1993, provides
also allow the Department to enhance the
an alternative method for delivering assistance to
ability to link financial data to performance
students. This program uses Treasury funds to
measures.
provide loan capital directly to postsecondary
schools. The schools then disburse loan funds to
Sources of Funds students. As of September 30, 2006, the value of
We managed a budget of approximately the Department’s direct loan portfolio was
$99.8 billion in FY 2006, of which 36 percent $92.6 billion.
supported elementary and secondary grant

FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education 15

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Financial Position Liabilities for Loan Guarantees increased

The Department’s financial statements are 71 percent or $21.8 billion. The $21.8 billion
prepared in accordance with established increase is primarily attributed to the marked
federal accounting standards and are audited increase in student loan consolidation activity.
by the independent accounting firm of Ernst Student loan consolidations represent borrowers
& Young, LLP. FY 2006 financial consolidating underlying variable rate loans into a
statements and footnotes appear on pp. 95- new fixed rate loan.
127. Analyses of the principal financial In fiscal years 2006 and 2005, the Department
statements follow. experienced record highs in consolidation activity
Balance Sheet. The Balance Sheet presents, as a result of rising interest rates. As market
as of a specific point in time, the economic interest rates increase, special allowance payments
value of assets and liabilities retained or to lenders also increase. Special allowance
managed by the Department. The difference payments are made to lenders when the market
between assets and liabilities represents the interest rate exceeds the borrower rate.
net position of the Department. The Balance Several factors influenced the change in the
Sheet displayed on p. 95 reflects total assets Department’s net position in FY 2006. The factors
of $214.4 billion, a 15 percent increase over include the subsidy re-estimates for federal student
FY 2005. Fund Balance with the Treasury loan programs and the increase in FY 2006 grant
increased by 38 percent over FY 2005. This appropriations. Net position increased by 9 percent
increase is attributable to (1) an increase in over FY 2005.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis

collections from borrowers due to

consolidation prepayments, and (2) an
increase in the estimated long term cost of
loan guarantees the Department makes to
private lenders.

Total Assets vs Total Liabilities

$214.4
$250
$186.6
$157.3 $172.6 $167.6
$200 $145.4 $143.7
Billions

$117.8 $128.3
$110.1
$150

$100

$50

$0
FY 2002 FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2006
Total Assets Total Liabilities

16 FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Statement of Net Cost. The Statement of Net The Department considers Strategic Goal 1,
Cost presents the components of the Create a Culture of Achievement, a synopsis of
Department’s net cost, which is the gross cost the four pillars on which educational excellence
incurred less any revenues earned from the is established. Strategic Goal 6, Establishing
Department’s activities. The Statement of Net Management Excellence, emphasizes
Cost is presented to be consistent with the administrative and oversight responsibilities.
Department’s strategic goals and the President’s These two strategic goals support the
Management Agenda. The Department’s total Department’s programmatic mission, and as a
program net costs, as reflected on the Statement result, we do not assign specific program costs
of Net Cost, p. 96, are $96.8 billion, a 29 percent to either of them for presentation in the
increase over FY 2005. The following chart Statement of Net Cost.
provides a detailed crosswalk of the
Department’s Net Cost programs linking them to Net Cost by Fiscal Year
Strategic Plan Goals 2 through 5.
$100
$96.8
$80
Goal $75.2
$60

Billions
Net Cost Program No. Strategic Goal $58.8 $63.6
$49.8

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

$40
Enhancement of 5 Enhance the Quality of
Postsecondary and and Access to $20
Adult Education Postsecondary and
Adult Education $0
FY 2002 FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2006
Creation of Student 2 Improve Student
Achievement, Culture Achievement
of Achievement and The Enhancement of Postsecondary and Adult
3 Develop Safe and Drug-
Safe Schools Free Schools Education experienced a 57 percent increase in
costs over FY 2005. The increase is largely
Transformation of 4 Transform Education
Education into an Evidence-Based attributed to two factors associated with the
Field Federal Family Education Loan Program,
Special Education and Cuts across Strategic subsidy reestimate and consolidation loan
Program Execution Goals 2, 3, 4 and 5 volume.

Statement of Budgetary Resources. This Statement of Financing. This statement

statement provides information about the demonstrates the relationship between an entity’s
provision of budgetary resources and their proprietary and budgetary accounting information.
status as of the end of the reporting period. It links the net cost of operations (proprietary) with
The statement displayed on p. 98 shows that net obligations (budgetary) by identifying key
the Department had $210.9 billion in differences between the two statements. This
budgetary resources for the year ended statement is structured to identify total resources
September 30, 2006. Budgetary resources are used during the fiscal year, with adjustments based
composed of $104.3 billion in appropriated on whether the resources were used to finance the
budgetary resources and $106.6 billion in net obligations or net cost. This statement,
non-budgetary credit reform resources, which displayed on p. 99, identifies $74.9 billion of
primarily consist of borrowing authority for resources used to finance activities, $19.6 billion of
the loan programs. Of the $51.7 billion that resources not part of the net cost of operations, and
remained unobligated at year-end, $2.3 billion of components of net cost of operations
$47.6 billion represents funding provided in that will not require or generate resources in the
advance for activities in future periods that current period.
was not available at year end. These funds
will become available during the next or
future fiscal years.

FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education 17

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

President’s Management Agenda

Scorecard Results
Under the President’s Management Agenda, Progress. The Office of Management and Budget
the Executive Branch Management assesses “progress” on a case-by-case basis against
Scorecards track how well the departments the agreed-upon deliverables and time lines
and major agencies are executing five established for the five initiatives as follows: green
government-wide initiatives and other represents that implementation is proceeding
agency-specific program initiatives. The according to plan; yellow indicates there is some
scorecard employs a simple grading system slippage or other issues requiring adjustment by the
common today in well-run businesses: green agency in order to achieve the initiative objectives
for success, yellow for mixed results, and red on a timely basis; and red indicates the initiative is
for unsatisfactory. in serious jeopardy and the agency is unlikely to
realize objectives absent significant management
Status. Scores for “status” are based on the
intervention.
scorecard standards for success developed by
the President’s Management Council and Department of Education Results. During
discussed with experts throughout FY 2006, the Department made significant
government and academe, including the improvements on the scorecard. The Office of
National Academy of Public Administration. Management and Budget recognized improvement
The standards have subsequently been refined of status for the Department in three areas:
Management’s Discussion and Analysis

with continued experience implementing the E-government, Budget-Performance Integration,

President’s Management Agenda. Under and Eliminating Improper Payments.
each of these standards, an agency is “green”
Improved Credit Management is a new initiative
or “yellow” if it meets all of the standards for
developed in the fourth quarter of FY 2006 and is
a given level of success identified and agreed
the primary reason we currently have a “red”
upon by the agency and the Office of
status.
Management and Budget; it is “red” if it has
any one of a number of serious flaws
identified for the agency.

President’s Management Agenda

FY 2006 Scorecard
Q4-2005 Q4-2006
Target Area Status Progress Status Progress
Financial Performance G G G G
Government-wide

Competitive Sourcing G G G G
Initiatives

Human Capital Y G Y G

E-government Y G G G

Budget-Performance Integration Y G G G

Faith-Based and Community Initiatives G G G G

Initiatives
Program

Eliminating Improper Payments R G Y G

Improved Credit Management
(New Initiative in FY 2006) NA NA R Y
G = green Y = yellow R = red NA = not applicable

18 FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Management Challenges and Future Initiatives

Management’s challenges and future proactively enable a continuing measurement and
initiatives will involve the enhancement of monitoring process. That process will allow
the Department’s governance process. This management to either accept or mitigate the risks
process will be based on accountability with a associated with the many benefits of the latest
central focus on compliance and risk technological innovations.
management. Numerous recent federal
To ensure the implementation of a governance
regulations have increased the pressure on
strategy based on accountability and risk,
government entities to measure and mitigate
management is implementing an executive-level
risks involving financial loss, as well as
process. This process will ensure that senior
damage to their reputations.
management’s attention is focused on the most
Implementing an effective operational significant risk management issues facing the
governance framework represents one of Department. Risk management issues include
management’s most pressing challenges financial management, program management,
moving into the future. While extremely human capital, security, and compliance with
demanding, the benefits of a well-constructed applicable laws and regulations.
governance framework simultaneously
Management has recently established a Risk
provide increased visibility into operations
Management and Compliance Committee. This

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

leading to enhanced performance, reduced
committee will be an essential component of the
costs, and the necessary transparency to
risk management and internal control infrastructure
properly analyze risk. In the future,
of the Department. The committee’s primary
successful governance frameworks
responsibilities are to ensure management is aware
implemented by management will have to
of the risks facing the Department and that
account for and integrate risk and compliance
appropriate measures are taken to mitigate those
procedures into the Department’s core values.
risks. Specifically, the committee will provide:
A number of the rigorous regulatory activities
• Oversight of the Federal Managers’ Financial
required to perform recently instituted
Integrity Act (FMFIA) annual assessment and
compliance requirements, such as
corrective action plan processes.
documenting processes, control assessments,
and risk evaluation, are the same activities • Identification of significant risks facing the
required by enterprise risk management. The Department through the review and monitoring
convergence of these procedures permits of significant findings from audits and
organizations to gain efficiencies and reduce investigations by the Office of Inspector
compliance costs by eliminating redundant General, external financial audits, reviews and
controls and duplication of effort, effectively audits by the Government Accountability
streamlining operations. Office, non-federal single audits, and
It is imperative that Department management Department monitoring reviews.
begin to measure, monitor risk, and then • Review of the significant risks identified in the
establish acceptable levels of risk in daily Internal Control Evaluation Staff reviews.
operations. The advent of fully integrated
Web-based systems, advancing information • Review of the status of the Department’s
technology, and telecommunication systems compliance with applicable federal laws and
has increased the speed of, and decreased the regulations.
barriers to serving customers. • Discussion of potential risks that may result
These advances of the interconnected world from anticipated legislative changes,
have correspondingly increased the risks that environmental changes, and changes in human
management must mitigate. Future resources.
governance frameworks will not only have to
account for such risks, but will also have to

FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education 19

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

• Review of the annual work plans of the Department Response

Office of Inspector General and the
Internal Control Evaluation Staff. The Department continues to address the
challenges associated with management’s oversight
The implementation of a comprehensive of internal controls related to programs, improper
business governance strategy will improve payments and procurement.
the Department’s business processes and
drive efficiencies across the enterprise. Accountability. Progress has been made in the
oversight of certain programs through monitoring
Credit Reform Management plans that include technical support provided by the
staff of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer.
A significant amount of the Department’s The Department has also implemented a Grant
fiscal activity is related to the administration High Risk Module within the Grant Administration
of direct and guaranteed loans. As a result, Payment System to alert program offices of
the Department has significant challenges in existing high risk conditions such that awards can
addressing the estimates related to credit be made with appropriate restrictions and
reform. requirements.

In response to the Office of Management and Improper Payments. Identifying and correcting
Budget’s recent addition of an Improved improper payments remains a challenge for the
Credit Management Scorecard, the Department. It has increased its participation in
Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Department continues to improve its financial performing monthly monitoring site visits for the
management. This fiscal year, the Titles I and III of the Elementary and Secondary
Department has done the following with Education Act programs at various state and local
respect to credit management: educational agencies.
• Defined target borrower segments. The Department also enlists the assistance of
• Improved its lending policies and outside resources to perform risk analysis of its
procedures. programs. Recent analysis indicates that the Title I
programs were not at risk of exceeding the
• Established cost control estimates. 2.5 percent threshold that requires a statistical
review. The student financial assistance program
Management Challenges Identified by initiatives are continuing and the Deparment is
the Inspector General working with other government agencies to
conduct studies and utilize statistical sampling.
Other current and future management
challenges include those identified by the Procurement. The Department’s procurement and
Inspector General in the annual report to contract management processes continues to face
improve departmental efficiencies. These challenges. However, in FY 2006, the Department
recommendations are provided in the Other issued new procedures that required that contract
Accompanying Information section of this monitoring plans be developed for all new and
report (see pp. 175-180). The existing contracts.
recommendations include: improving
oversight and management of programs by Information Security. Information security
establishing and maintaining appropriate continues to be a concern throughout the
internal control accountability, identifying government and in the Department. The
and correcting improper payments, improving Department works to improve security controls to
procurement and monitoring of contracted protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability
services, human capital planning, and of its data and systems as noted in the Management
managing information security and Assurance section of this report (see p. 24). The
technology investments. Department has continued efforts to strengthen
individual business cases and to map proposed

20 FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

investments to the Department’s enterprise

architecture strategy. In addition, the
Summary
Department recently established plans to
Ensuring equal access to education and promoting
improve controls relating to the protection of
educational excellence throughout the nation is our
personally identifiable information.
mission. Achieving management excellence is the
foundation on which we are able to accomplish this
Human Capital. Human capital planning
mission. Department management made great
remains a significant challenge facing the
strides in improving the nation’s educational
Department as well as other agencies
opportunities through data collection and reporting
throughout the government. The Department
will see a significant percentage of its strategies. Producing accurate, timely, and reliable
workforce eligible for retirement in 2007. In financial reports and taking steps to minimize the
risk of making improper payments enables the
addition, the advent of technology has
Department to execute its mission effectively.
changed critical skill requirements for staff.
As a result, staff are being challenged outside
The Department acknowledges the challenges it
their current position requirements.
faces, but only by focusing on human capital
Managers must develop succession plans and management and further integrating our
performance and financial information will we
identify training needs for their staff to
continue to ensure access to, and excellence in, the
mitigate these challenges. The Department

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

nation’s educational system.
requires managers to attend training that is
designed to improve their understanding of
and assist in the development of staff
performance standards. In addition,
communication and project management
training is also offered to employees to help
address essential management skill gaps
required to carry out their mission.

FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education 21

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Integration of Performance and Financial Information

Focusing on results and accountability Management and Budget’s guidance. Additionally,
through performance monitoring and the Department shifted from the use of strategic
financial reporting is a sound practice for measures that reported the national status of
increasing the Department’s productivity. education to focus on program-related measures
One gauge of how effectively taxpayer that more accurately reflect Department objectives.
dollars are being used is for an agency to link
The entire program performance report required
the performance of its programs to
under the Government Performance and Results
subsequent budget determinations.
Act is available at
The Department constantly seeks to http://www.ed.gov/about/reports/annual/2006report
strengthen the linkage between financial /program.html.
investments and program quality. The
Challenges Linking Performance to Funding.
Department enhances this linkage by
The Department’s challenge of linking
developing and using program measures,
performance results, expenditures, and budget is
reporting mechanisms, and effective budget
complicated by the fact that we accomplish
management. This report is one example of
objectives indirectly. More than 98 percent of the
how we provide comprehensive, accurate
Department’s funding is disbursed through grants
information to the American public in a
and loans. The challenge of linking performance to
timely manner.
expenditures is further complicated by the funding
Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Program Assessment Rating Tool. Since schedule for these programs.

2002, the Office of Management and Budget
In the Department, only a portion of a given fiscal
has required federal agencies to
year’s appropriation is available to state, school,
systematically assess the quality of
organization, and student recipients during the
government programs using a diagnostic tool
fiscal year in which the funds are appropriated.
called the Program Assessment Rating Tool
The remainder is available at or near the end of the
(PART). The Office of Management and
appropriation year or in the subsequent year. The
Budget uses this mechanism consistently
funds remain available to recipients for varying
across government and works with federal
lengths of time.
agencies to judge the effectiveness of
programs with regard to their stated purpose, Funds for competitive grant programs are generally
strategic planning, internal management, and available when appropriations are passed by the
results and accountability. PART reviews Congress. However, the processes required for
provide critical information that is used to conducting the grant competitions often result in
establish funding priorities for budget the award of grants near the end of the fiscal year
planning and development. Once a program with funding available to grantees for additional
has been through the PART process, the fiscal years.
Department implements follow-up actions Thus, the results presented in this report cannot be
based on PART recommendations. attributed solely to the actions taken related to
By September 2006, the Department had FY 2006 funds but to a combination of funds from
completed PART reviews on 74 programs. fiscal years 2004 through 2006. Furthermore, the
This report includes information from PART results of education programs may not be apparent
reviews performed in preparation for the for many years after the funds are expended.
Department’s FY 2007 budget submission. Although we cannot isolate program results and
Integrating Performance Plan Into Budget. directly link them to a fiscal year’s funding,
Since FY 2005, the Department has combined performance results during a specific single fiscal
the annual performance plan and annual year serve as a proxy. Most Department programs
budget to create an annual performance are continuous and funded each year through the
budget, consistent with the Office of appropriation process.

22 FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Management’s Assurances
not expect that our disclosure on controls over
Federal Managers’ Financial Integrity financial reporting will prevent all errors and all
Act fraud. A control system, no matter how well
As required under the Federal Managers’ conceived and operated, can provide only
Financial Integrity Act, the Department reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the
reviewed its management control system. objectives of the control system are met. Further,
The objectives of the management control the design of a control system must reflect the fact
system are to provide reasonable assurance that there are resource constraints. The benefits of
that the following occur: the controls must be considered relative to their
• Obligations and costs are in compliance associated cost. Because of the inherent limitations
with applicable laws. in a cost effective control system, misstatements
due to error or fraud may occur and not be
• Assets are safeguarded against waste, detected.
loss, unauthorized use, or
misappropriation. Federal Financial Management Improvement
• The revenues and expenditures applicable Act
to agency operations are properly The Secretary has determined that the Department

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

recorded and accounted for to permit the is in compliance with the Federal Financial
preparation of accounts and reliable Management Improvement Act (FFMIA), although
financial and statistical reports, and our auditor has identified instances of which the
maintain accountability over assets. Department’s financial management systems did
not substantially comply with the act.
• Programs are efficiently and effectively
carried out in accordance with applicable We are cognizant of our auditor’s concerns relating
laws and management policy. to instances of non-compliance with FFMIA as
noted in the Compliance with Laws and
Managers throughout the Department are Regulations Report located on pp. 152-154 of this
responsible for ensuring that effective report. We continue to strengthen and improve our
controls are implemented in their areas of financial management systems.
responsibility. Individual assurance
statements from senior management serve as However, since our last FFMIA report, the
a primary basis for the Department’s Department has continued to invest a considerable
assurance that management controls are amount of time, effort and resources in assessing
adequate. The assurance statement provided the security controls protecting its information and
on p. 24 is the result of our annual assessment information resources. As a result of these
and is based upon each senior officer’s assessments, the Department has learned that
evaluation of controls. certain vulnerabilities identified by the Inspector
General and our auditors in this year’s reports were
Department organizations that identify previously accepted on an enterprise-wide basis by
material deficiencies are required to submit the Department’s Designated Approving
plans for correcting the cited weaknesses. Authorities, Certifier and Government Technical
The plans must include a risk assessment, Expert.
cost of correction, and estimated date of
completion. These corrective action plans, To this end, the Department has made a well-
combined with the individual assurance informed and documented risk-based business
statements, provide the framework for decision to operate its networks, systems and
continual monitoring and improving of the applications in the presence of certain
Department’s management controls. vulnerabilities and security exposures. This
acceptance of risk is in keeping with the rules and
Inherent Limitations on the Effectiveness principles governing a risk management program.
of Controls. Department management does

FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education 23

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Furthermore, the Department fully research, manage, remediate and monitor for
understands the risks inherent in operating vulnerabilities and security exposures. This
information resources in the presence of remediation cycle can be an extended process for
common vulnerabilities and security any particular vulnerability and as a result, at any
exposures. To assist in the management of given time as they await remediation,
the potential risks, the Department has vulnerabilities may be present in any networked
implemented proactive processes to identify, environment, including the Department’s.

Federal Managers’ Financial Integrity Act

Management for the Department of Education is responsible for establishing and maintaining
effective internal control and financial management systems that meet the intent and
objectives of the Federal Managers’ Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA). I am able to provide a
qualified statement of assurance that the Department’s internal control structure and financial
management systems meet the objectives of FMFIA, with the exception of two material
weaknesses. The details of these exceptions are provided in Exhibit 1.
The Department conducted its assessment of internal control in compliance with applicable
laws and regulations, and in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s
Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Circular No. A-123, Management’s Responsibility for Internal Control. Based upon the
results of this evaluation, the Department identified two material weaknesses in its internal
control over the effectiveness and efficiency of operations, and compliance with applicable
laws and regulations, as of September 30, 2006. Other than the exceptions noted in Exhibit 1,
the internal controls were operating effectively, and no material weaknesses were found in
the design or operation of the internal controls.
In addition, the Department conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of internal control
over financial reporting, which includes safeguarding of assets and compliance with
applicable laws and regulations, in accordance with the requirements of Appendix A of the
Office of Management and Budget’s Circular No. A-123, Management’s Responsibility for
Internal Control. Based on the results of this evaluation, the Department of Education can
provide reasonable assurance that its internal control over financial reporting as of June 30,
2006, was operating effectively and that no material weaknesses were found in the design or
operation of the internal control over financial reporting.

/s/
November 15, 2006

24 FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Exhibit 1 – FMFIA Material Weaknesses

Material Anticipated
ID Weakness Description Corrective Action Correction Date
1 Information Instances of inadequate security controls, The Office of the Chief Information Officer Corrective actions are
Technology including password protection, encryption, (OCIO) is implementing a number of currently being implemented,
Security and intrusion detection. mitigating actions to correct information and are expected to be
technology security deficiencies found in completed by September 30,
(FISMA)
management, operational and technical 2007.
control controls.

Some of the mitigating actions include

procuring a world class managed security
service provider who would have
independent verification & validation
responsibilities in the areas of operational
intrusion detection monitoring and incident
escalation, situational awareness,
vulnerability and configuration
management, software assurance, and
security operations center management.

OCIO plans to mitigate weaknesses in

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

password protection by implementing a two-
factor authentication solution derived from
Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12
(Hspd-12). OCIO also plans to correct
deficiencies found in protecting personally
identifiable information (PII) by encrypting
backup tapes, laptop computers and other
mobile media instruments containing PII
such as thumb drives, CDs and DVDs.

2 Program In two programs, the Reading First and the The Office of Elementary and Secondary
Management Migrant Education programs, the Department Education is implementing compensating
Control identified possible instances of lack of proper controls to correct or mitigate weaknesses
controls and management oversight in in both programs.
several past years in the implementation of
the programs.
With regard to the Migrant Education Corrective actions are
program, the Office of Migrant Education is currently being implemented,
implementing compensating controls to and most actions will be
correct or mitigate weaknesses. States are completed by December 31,
submitting new information related to 2007. Some of the corrective
eligibility based on appropriate controls. actions have been completed,
Corrective actions, including the repayment including the return of
of funds, including the return of $13.6 million from Puerto Rico;
$13.6 million from Puerto Rico, are currently further repayments from other
being implemented. states may take one year or
more to complete.

With regard to the Reading First program, Many corrective actions are
the Department is implementing corrective being implemented currently,
actions to address all of the and will be completed by
recommendations made by the Office of December 31, 2006; all
Inspector General in an inspection report, corrective actions are
and is also making additional expected to be completed by
improvements. December 31, 2007.

FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education 25

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Improper Payments Overview

The Improper Payments Information Act of 2002 number of private loan servicers to administer its
(IPIA) requires agencies to annually review and programs. Except for funds received as an
assess all programs and activities to identify administrative cost allowance, Federal Student
those susceptible to significant improper Aid program funds received by a school are held
payments. The guidance provided by the Office in trust by the school for the students, the
of Management and Budget defines significant Department, and, in some cases, for private
improper payments as those annual erroneous lenders and Guaranty Agencies.
payments that exceed both $10 million and
2.5 percent of the program payments. For each As required by the IPIA, Federal Student Aid
program identified, agencies are required to inventoried its programs during FY 2006, and
report the annual estimated amount of improper reviewed program payments made during
payments and the steps taken to reduce or FY 2005 (the most recent complete fiscal year
eliminate them. for which data are available), to assess the risk
that a significant amount of improper payments
The Department has undertaken the following
were made. The review identified and then
initiatives relating to the implementation of the
focused on five key programs (Federal Family
Improper Payments Information Act of 2002.
Education Loan Program, Federal Pell Grant
Program, Federal Supplemental Educational
Student Financial Assistance Programs Opportunity Grant, Federal Work-Study
Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Federal Student Aid operates and administers Programs and Direct Loan Program),
the majority of the Higher Education Act of representing 98.7 percent of Federal Student
1965, as amended, Title IV Student Assistance Aid’s FY 2005 outlays.
(Title IV) programs for the Department. In
FY 2006, nearly $77 billion was provided to The following Title IV programs were identified
students and families to help them overcome the as potentially susceptible to risk: Federal
financial barriers that make it difficult to attend Family Education Loan Program, Federal Pell
and complete postsecondary education. Federal Grant Program, Campus-based programs, the
Student Aid administers a variety of grants, William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program,
loans, and loan guarantees through its financial Loan Consolidations, and the Academic
assistance programs. The processes developed Competitiveness and SMART Grant program. A
to administer the programs are responsive to detailed discussion of each of these programs
changes in statutes, the reauthorization of can be found in the Improper Payments Details
existing statutes, and the changing needs of section of this Performance and Accountability
educational institutions and their students. Report on pp. 158-171.
Title IV student assistance programs are large The following table provides the outlook for
and complex. Federal Student Aid relies on over three of the primary Federal Student Aid
6,100 eligible postsecondary institutions, 3,200 program estimates.
lenders, 35 loan Guaranty Agencies, and a
Federal Student Aid Improper Payment Reduction Outlook Fiscal Years 2005 – 2009
($ in millions)
Actual Estimated
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Program Outlays IP % IP $ Outlays IP % IP $ Outlays IP % IP $ Outlays IP % IP $ Outlays IP % IP $

Direct Loan
Program $12,231 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
FFEL
Program $8,626 2.2% $190 $18,245 2.2% $401 $5,340 2.2% $117 $5,340 2.2% $117 $5,340 2.2% $117
Pell Grant
Program $12,749 3.48% $444 $12,117 3.48% $422 $12,825 3.48% $446 $12,825 3.48% $446 $12,825 3.48% $446

26 FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Federal Student Aid Manager Accountability. mandatory one-day seminar for all Department
Federal Student Aid program managers are managers will provide a framework for
responsible for making recommended administering the improper payment controls
improvements and achieving quantifiable program utilizing applicable regulations,
savings. The Federal Student Aid Executive guidelines, and best practices. Part of this one-
Management Team monitors these efforts. The day training will focus on the utilization of the
Executive Management Team is composed of risk assessment criteria to properly assess the
key managers and is the executive decision- risk of improper payments in the Department’s
making body within Federal Student Aid. programs.
Further, the Office of Inspector General
conducts periodic audits of student aid programs Grant Program
and makes appropriate recommendations to Improper Payment Estimates
management and the Congress. %
Functional Program
2001 2002 2003 2004
Title I Programs
Education Research,
0.00 0.02 0.36 0.0
The Department performed a risk assessment of Statistics & Assessment
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act Elementary & Secondary
0.13 0.12 0.13 0.6
Title I Program, parts A, B, and D, during Education
FY 2006. The Erroneous Payments Risk English Language
0.00 0.02 0.10 0.1

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Assessment Project Report documented that the Acquisition
risk of improper payments under the current 2.72 0.29 0.21 0.4
Higher Education
statutory requirements is very low. In order to
validate the assessment data, the Department Impact Aid 0.00 0.55 0.04 0.4
initiated a three-year review cycle in FY 2006.
The review encompasses all states and territories Innovation and
0.28 0.21 0.23 0.1
receiving Title I funds. The Office of the Chief Improvement
Financial Officer participated with the Office of Rehabilitation Services &
0.07 0.12 0.32 2.1
Elementary and Secondary Education in the Disability Research

monitoring process, beginning March 2005, to Safe & Drug-Free Schools 0.37 0.33 0.13 1.2
provide technical support regarding fiduciary
compliance. There were no findings in the Special Education 0.09 0.06 0.83 0.1
monitoring reviews with questioned costs that
contradicted the data in the risk assessment. Title I 0.04 0.16 1.19 0.2
Manager Accountability. In FY 2006, the Vocational & Adult
0.20 0.25 0.12 0.2
Department used a database of the Office of Education
Management and Budget Circular A-133 single
Total 0.06 0.04 0.16 0.4
audit findings to provide feedback to program
managers regarding the frequency and
distribution of findings within their programs.
This will assist the managers in tailoring their Remaining Grant Programs
program monitoring efforts to the type of During FY 2006, the Department instituted a
findings that most frequently occur. more detailed risk assessment of all its other
Additionally, a new grants monitoring training grant programs. The Department continued to
course is now offered and a post-audit follow-up work with the Department of Energy’s Oak
overview course is currently being developed to Ridge National Laboratory to perform data-
improve the usefulness of the Office of mining on information available in the Federal
Management and Budget Circular A-133 single Audit Clearinghouse’s Single Audit Database,
audits to the Department. the Department’s Grant Administration and
Payment System, and the Department’s Audit
The Department also plans to develop internal Accountability and Resolution Tracking System.
control training for managers that will focus on The Department is leveraging the results of the
controls to eliminate improper payments. The

FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education 27

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

thousands of single audits already being has also received repayment from Puerto Rico in
performed by independent auditors on grant the amount of $13.6 million, with further
recipients. repayments from other states anticipated over
the next year.
The Department sought to develop a
methodology to produce statistically valid With respect to the Reading First program, the
improper payment estimates that could be Department is implementing corrective actions
applied uniformly across non-Federal Student to address recommendations contained in the
Aid grant programs. This approach establishes a inspection report released September 29, 2006
level of quality control for all programs while by the Inspector General titled “The Reading
simultaneously producing a cost-effective First Program’s Grant Application Process.”
measure.
In FY 2006, the risk assessments were
Summary
performed at the program level to ensure that The Department of Education continues its
improper payment error rates are not masked by efforts to comply with the Improper Payments
large groupings or scope. The details of this Information Act. While there are still challenges
analysis are available from the Office of the to overcome, the Department has demonstrated
Chief Financial Officer upon request. in FY 2006 that it is committed to ensuring the
integrity of its programs. The Office of
Recovery Auditing Progress Management and Budget recognized our
progress in managing improper payments when
To effectively address the risk of improper
Management’s Discussion and Analysis

it raised the Department’s implementation

administrative payments, the Department
progress score to green on the PMA initiative for
continued a recovery auditing initiative to
Eliminating Improper Payments.
review contract payments. All vendor payment
transactions made from FY 1998 through The Department is focused on identifying and
FY 2005 were reviewed. Potential recoveries managing the risk of improper payment
are minimal. Fiscal year 2006 payments will be problems and mitigating the risk with adequate
reviewed during FY 2007. Our purchase and control activities. In FY 2007, we will continue
travel card programs remain subject to monthly to work with the Office of Management and
reviews and reconciliations to identify potential Budget and the Inspector General to explore
misuse or abuse. additional methods for identifying and reducing
potential improper payment activity in our
Other Matters programs, and to ensure continued compliance
During the fiscal year, the Inspector General with the IPIA.
issued an audit report that questioned payments
made to an entity that participates in the Federal
Family Education Loan Program. The findings
cited in this report are under consideration by
the Department. Until the matter is resolved, the
potential impact, if any, on the Department’s
financial position is not possible to estimate.
In addition, the Office of Inspector General has
identified potential improper payments related to
Migrant Education. The Migrant Education
program is currently implementing
compensating controls to correct or mitigate
control weaknesses. These compensating
controls are expected to be in place by
December 31, 2007. In addition, the states are
submitting new information related to eligibility
based on appropriate controls. The Department

28 FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report—U.S. Department of Education