The federal government has direct responsibility for two school systems serving elementary and secondary students the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) school systems. Unlike public schools, where federal funding constitutes a small portion of total resources, the BIA and DOD school systems depend almost entirely on federal funds. Although the two school systems have this feature in common, their histories and settings are quite different. Because these school systems are a federal responsibility, the Congress is interested in ensuring that children attending BIA and DOD schools are receiving a quality education.

The federal government has direct responsibility for two school systems serving elementary and secondary students the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) school systems. Unlike public schools, where federal funding constitutes a small portion of total resources, the BIA and DOD school systems depend almost entirely on federal funds. Although the two school systems have this feature in common, their histories and settings are quite different. Because these school systems are a federal responsibility, the Congress is interested in ensuring that children attending BIA and DOD schools are receiving a quality education.

GAO-01-934 BIA and DOD Schools: Student Achievement and Other Characteristics Often Differ from Public Schools'