The District’s performance report is to  include  a statement of the actual level of performance achieved compared to  each of the goals stated in the performance accountability plan for the  year,  the title of the District of Columbia management employee most directly  responsible for the achievement of each goal and the title of the  employee’s immediate supervisor or superior, and   a statement of the status of any court orders applicable to the  government of the District of Columbia during the year and the steps  taken by the government to comply with such orders. The  comments stated that the District planned, for example, to consolidate its  goals and expand the coverage of its fiscal year 2001 report to more fully  comply with its mandated reporting requirements. Objectives, Scope, and Methodology

We examined the progress the District has made in developing its  performance accountability report and identified areas where  improvements are needed. The District’s 2001 Plan and Report Addressed a Consistent Set of Performance Goals

The goals in the fiscal year 2001 performance accountability report were  consistent with the goals in the District’s 2001 performance plan. Second, as part of the District’s emphasis on expanding its  performance-based budgeting approach, the District needs to validate and  verify the performance data it relies on to measure performance and assess  progress, present this information in its performance accountability  reports, and describe its strategies to address any known data limitations. However, the District has continued to  report on the same 12 court orders for fiscal years 1999, 2000, and 2001. Table 3 lists  these agencies and their fiscal year 2001 actual expenditures.
Why GAO Did This Study

This report examines the progress the District of Columbia has made with its fiscal year 2001 performance accountability report and highlights continuing challenges facing our nation's capital. The District must submit a performance accountability plan with goals for the coming fiscal year and, at the end of the fiscal year, a performance accountability report on the extent to which it achieved these goals.

What GAO Found

GAO found that the District's Performance Accountability Report for Fiscal Year 2001 provided a more complete picture of its performance and made progress in complying with statutory reporting requirements by using a consistent set of goals. This allowed the District to measure and report progress toward the goals in its 2001 performance plan. Specifically, it reported information on the level of performance achieved, the titles of managers and their supervisors responsible for each goal, and described the status of certain court orders. The District has made progress over the last three years in its performance accountability reports and established positive direction for enhancements in court orders, its fiscal year 2003 performance based budgeting pilots, and performance goals and measures.