The Department of Education's (Education's) Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) initiated the Next Gen program in 2017. Next Gen's purpose was to modernize the systems and processes that students, parents, borrowers, and school partners use to apply for, administer, and/or process federal student aid. This report examines: (1) the status of FSA's…

This report examines: (1) the extent to which veterans pursue STEM degrees using Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits; (2) challenges these veterans face in obtaining a STEM degree; and (3) how VA administers the Rogers STEM scholarship. The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) analyzed VA administrative data and interviewed officials…

The Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education met to hear testimony on "Back to School: Best Practices for Reopening Schools." The meeting was entirely remote. The aim of the meeting was to discuss the obstacles schools have faced in reopening safely under the cloud of the COVID-19 pandemic, how schools can get…

USDA helps millions of children from low-income households access healthy meals by purchasing food, including seafood, for the NSLP. USDA-purchased foods represent about 15 to 20 percent of the food served in the NSLP. According to the DGA, programs, such as the NSLP, can play an essential role in providing access to healthy meals. This can help…

Each year in the U.S., hundreds of individuals die from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth, and tens of thousands experience unexpected outcomes such as heart failure. In 2022, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that research showed more than half of rural counties lacked hospital-based services for pregnant…

Research suggests that more students with disabilities are pursuing college than in years past. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) was asked to review issues regarding accessibility and accommodations for students with disabilities at colleges. This report examines (1) trends in and characteristics of the population of college students…

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the entry ramp to federal grants and loans that many students depend on to afford college. Congress passed the FAFSA Simplification Act in 2020 in part to make it easier to apply for federal aid. However, Education's rollout of the new FAFSA has suffered from numerous challenges and delays.…

The Supporting Veterans in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Careers Act was put in place to promote veteran involvement in STEM education, computer science, and scientific research, and for other purposes. The Act includes the following sections: (1) Short Title; (2) Definitions; (3) Supporting Veterans in STEM Education…

For years, parents and policymakers have raised concerns about teacher shortages. These concerns escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic, amid reports of teachers leaving the profession, fewer new teachers entering, and schools struggling to hire teachers. The Explanatory Statement accompanying the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020…

Senate Report 117-39 and House Report 117-118 include provisions for Government Accountability Office (GAO) to assess professional learning at the Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) schools. This report describes: DODEA's professional learning approach, results of DODEA teacher surveys, and how DODEA has addressed barriers teachers…

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to reverberate across the nation, for millions of students, educators, and families, the current school year is rife with challenges. The long-term impact of the disruptions of the last two years on student enrollment and attendance remains to be seen, particularly for students with whom schools have lost…

This document records testimony from a hearing before the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education that was held to examine the impact of COVID-19 on the future of higher education. Member statements were presented by: (1) Honorable Susan A. Davis, Chairwoman, Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Investment;…

This document records testimony from a hearing before the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education that was held to discuss how to overcome obstacles to safely reopen schools. Member statements were presented by: (1) Honorable Rick W. Allen, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary…

National reports have raised concerns about the physical accessibility of public school facilities for people with disabilities. These facilities serve important roles as schools, voting locations, and emergency shelters, among other things. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) was asked to examine the physical accessibility of public school…

Federal and other studies have noted that exposure to violence and substance abuse make Native American youth susceptible to becoming involved with the justice system. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) was asked to examine federal and tribal efforts to address juvenile delinquency and the barriers tribes face in doing so. This report…