To What Extent Did SAA Gatekeeping Overlap Other Efforts? More specifically, an estimated 87 percent of SAA staff time, costing about $10.5 million of the $12 million spent by VA in fiscal year 1994, was spent reviewing and approving courses at academic and vocational schools that were also accredited by Education-approved agencies (see fig. The remaining portion of SAA staff time, costing about $1.1 million, was spent on gatekeeping functions that did not overlap the efforts of other entities. While SAA reviews may differ somewhat from those conducted by Education gatekeepers, SAAs and Education use similar standards for approving education and training programs. This portion of SAA activity fell into two categories: approval of unaccredited schools and programs, and approval of OJT programs other than apprenticeships. Department of Education

As the federal representative in the gatekeeping triad, the role of Education is varied. 2. 3. 4. Schools are to be financially sound.
Why GAO Did This Study

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO determined the extent to which state approving agencies (SAA) assessment activities overlap the efforts of other agencies.

What GAO Found

GAO found that: (1) $10.5 million of the $12 million paid to SAA in 1994 was spent to conduct assessments already performed by the Department of Education; (2) these assessments involved reviews of accredited academic and vocational schools; (3) the remaining SAA assessment activities did not overlap the activities of other agencies, since they involved on-the-job training programs and unaccredited schools; and (4) although SAA use evaluation standards that differ from those of other reviewing agencies, SAA activity should be reduced to schools and programs not subject to Department of Education approval.