Rep. Miller asks GAO to Report on Postsecondary Transitions for Students with Disabilities

Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, has asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to evaluate how well students with disabilities transition from high school to college and/or the workforce, and how  federal funds could be used to aid this transition.  CEC applauds Rep. Miller for making this request as the transition to college or career is critical to a lifetime of personal and professional success.

Rep. Miller noted in a September letter to Gene Dodaro, Acting Comptroller General, “In the past, GAO coordination among programs assisting youth with disabilities, as well as differences in program structure and requirements, have affected the provision of services to this population…I remain concerned about whether federal efforts adequately provide a comprehensive, coordinated approach to transition services for youth with disabilities.”

Chairman Miller went on to request that the GAO specifically:

    • Identify the key federal programs that help support students with disabilities in their transition to postsecondary education or the workforce;

    • Examine the challenges students with disabilities face in accessing existing federal programs designed to assist them in transitioning to postsecondary education or the workforce;

    • Examine the degree to which federal agencies coordinate their efforts in this area and identify any barriers preventing the optimal level of coordination; and

    • Examine how federal agencies use performance and program data to assess the effectiveness of coordination efforts in improving service provision to students with disabilities

To read the full text of the letter, click here.

Comments

[Ma.I-li]

This is good. It is nice when leaders are really involved. The special education program needs help from the leaders. The students need all our help. In this way if they know that the whole nation is after their welfare, they are likely to do their best and be good citizens. I really appreciate if leaders like Rep. Miller is doing there job well.

[Linda Salley]

I am glad to know that lawmakers are ready to help the student with disabilities transition from school to work. Transition is an area that needs improvement to ensure that all students have equal opportunities for employment and/or post secondary education.