ERIC Number: ED672822
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Apr
Pages: 52
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Special Education: Improved Allocation of Resources Could Help DOD Education Activity Better Meet Students' Needs. Report to Congressional Committees. GAO-25-107053
Jacqueline M. Nowicki
US Government Accountability Office
The Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) operates DOD's school system and provides special education and related services for about 15 percent of its students worldwide. However, GAO found that related services provided by the military branches for students in overseas locations--such as physical therapy--were often limited or unavailable, resulting in service delays or disruptions. These services are required by students' individualized education programs--legally binding written plans describing the services students are to receive. GAO found delays in service delivery for students in 44 of DODEA's 114 overseas schools for 2022-2023. Further, from school years 2018-2019 through 2022-2023, at least six cases took more than a year to resolve. Service delays and disruptions can negatively affect students' academic progress, according to related service providers and parents GAO interviewed. Senate Report 118-58 includes provisions for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine special education and related services at DODEA schools. GAO examined: (1) the extent to which DOD makes these resources available to meet the needs of DODEA students; and (2) key obstacles to providing these resources to DODEA students that were reported by DOD staff and families. GAO analyzed DODEA data on student enrollment, staffing, and service provision. GAO also visited 14 DODEA schools in seven military communities worldwide, selected for variation in number of students with disabilities and location. Across the visits, GAO held 98 group interviews with DODEA teachers, principals, and other stakeholders. GAO also reviewed relevant federal laws and policies and interviewed DOD and DODEA officials.
Descriptors: Special Education, Resource Allocation, Student Needs, Military Personnel, Military Schools, Delivery Systems, Students with Disabilities, Educational Finance, Special Education Teachers, Teacher Shortage, Teacher Aides, Training, Barriers, Foreign Countries
US Government Accountability Office. 441 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20548. Tel: 202-512-6000; Web site: http://www.gao.gov
Publication Type: Reports - Research; Legal/Legislative/Regulatory Materials
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Policymakers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: US Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Identifiers - Location: North Carolina; Germany; Japan
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A