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Making the GPRA Grade

Government Performance and Results Act Performance Indicators for
the Comprehensive Regional Assistance Center Network

Congress, in an effort to improve the overall quality and effectiveness of federal agencies, created and passed the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). Under this Act each federal agency, including the United States Department of Education, must establish, assess, and monitor performance indicators for all its programs.

One of the goals of the U.S. Department of Education is: To assist Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) recipients in improving teaching and learning for all children at risk of educational failure. In order to achieve this goal, the U.S. Department of Education set an objective of: providing high-quality comprehensive technical assistance to states, territories, tribes, school districts and schools that helps students reach high academic standards. The 15 Centers comprise part of the technical assistance network created by the U.S. Department of Education to achieve this objective.

The U.S. Department of Education established three performance indicators for the Comprehensive Assistance Centers. To date, based on data from external evaluators, a nationally representative survey of technical assistance clients and a systematic analysis of report data the Comprehensive Regional Assistance Centers have exceeded the performance indicators set for them on two of the three indicators and have made significant positive progress towards meeting or exceeding the target expectations on the third.

A summary of the three indicators is provided below:

INDICATOR ACTUAL PERFORMANCE STATUS 1.1 Addressing Legislative Priorities. By 1999, 80% of comprehensive center (CC) customers will represent Schoolwide Programs or high-poverty districts and Bureau of Indian Affairs, (BIA)-funded schools. Status: Positive movement toward target 1.2 Integrating Technical Assistance. By 1999, 65% of CC activities will provide integrated, non-categorical technical assistance (such as standards, assessment of special populations, reading, challenging curriculum, and whole school reform). Status: Target Exceeded 1.3 Addressing Customer Needs. The percentage of clients reporting satisfaction with the usefulness of technical assistance provided will increase annually, reaching 65% by 2000. Status: Target Exceeded