This document contains the semiannual report on the activities of the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the 6-month period ending March 31, 1997. During this time the OIG continued to fulfill its statutory mandate through a carefully designed program of audits and reviews intended to help Education Department managers administer their programs and carry out their oversight responsibilities more efficiently, more effectively, and more economically. The report contains a copy of Public Law 95-452 reporting requirements and three abstracts that describe: (1) significant audits and audit-related activities; (2) significant prosecutive actions resulting from OIG's investigations; and (3) initiatives conducted in response to Congressional request. Statistical tables and a glossary of abbreviations are included. (LMI)