What GAO Found

In May 2024, GAO identified five priority recommendations for the Department of Education. Since then, Education implemented one recommendation by taking steps to provide more accurate information on the frequency and prevalence of restraint (restricting a student's movement) and seclusion (confining a student to a space alone) incidents in schools.

In May 2025, GAO identified four additional priority recommendations for Education, bringing the total number to eight. These priority recommendations involve the following areas:

• improving the federal student aid system,
• managing financial risks associated with charter school management organizations, and
• protecting sensitive information.

Education's attention to these issues could lead to significant improvements in government operations.

Why GAO Did This Study

Priority open recommendations are the GAO recommendations that warrant priority attention from heads of key departments or agencies because their implementation could save large amounts of money; improve congressional and/or executive branch decision-making on major issues; eliminate mismanagement, fraud, and abuse; or ensure that programs comply with laws and funds are legally spent, among other benefits. Since 2015 GAO has sent letters to selected agencies to highlight the importance of implementing such recommendations.

For more information, contact Cindy Brown Barnes at brownbarnesc@gao.gov.