GAO: More data needed to monitor distance learning programs
WASHINGTON – In a report released today, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that more “pertinent, up-to-date data” is needed to bolster oversight of distance education programs.
"Distance education programs can expand access to postsecondary education for some of our most disadvantaged students. We must remain vigilant in our efforts to protect the integrity of these programs and the student and taxpayer investments in them,” said Reps. George Miller (D-CA) and Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX) in a joint statement today. “It's vitally important that Congress and the general public continue to learn more about this growing sector to ensure that there are accountability mechanisms in place to protect students and taxpayers.”
The GAO notes that while online distance education is growing rapidly across the country, monitoring entities are having trouble keeping pace due to a lack of sufficient data. Specifically, the GAO called for more data on the extent to which schools offer distance education, the academic quality of the programs, and the extent to which students use federal aid to attend those programs.
This GAO report, compiled at the request of Miller and Hinojosa, comes on the heels of a Department of Education Office of Inspector General investigation into fraud vulnerabilities among distance learning programs.
In response to the OIG's findings and a request for swift action from Miller and Hinojosa, the Department of Education issued guidance to institutions on how to better identify and prevent fraud schemes and formed a department wide anti-fraud task force to address issues raised by the Inspector General.
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