Abstract 3
                Initiatives Conducted in Response
                    to Congressional Requests
                (October 1, 1995   March 31, 1996)



         Local School Districts' Use of Drug-Free Schools
                    and Communities Act Funds
                         February 8, 1996
At the request of the House Subcommittee on National Security, International Affairs and Criminal Justice, Committee
on Government Reform and Oversight, we performed a review to determine how local school districts used their Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) funds.  We visited nine school districts and determined how they used their
DFSCA funds during fiscal year 1995.  This review was not an audit, and because we visited only nine school districts,
we could not draw conclusions about the DFSCA program nationwide.  However, we did draw the following conclusions
about the nine districts we visited.
  We found that all nine districts had program elements that clearly discouraged drug use and that all nine also had
   aspects other than just drug avoidance, such as improving self-esteem, conflict resolution, and improving social
   behavior.  Local school officials informed us that such programs have shown better results than programs that
   simply educate the students about drugs or utilize scare tactics.
  Eight of the nine districts solicited suggestions from the community, including parents, in developing their DFSCA
   programs.
  All nine districts provided training for teachers and counselors in addition to student instruction.
  Five of the nine districts also received significant amounts of State and local funding for their drug-free activities.


                                          


      Review of Direct Loan and FFEL Program Administration
                           (in process)
At the request of the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Committee on Economic and Educational
Opportunity, the OIG is conducting a review of the management systems and structure of the student financial assistance
programs.  Our review will assess the efficiency, effectiveness and consistent application of the systems and structure with
respect to the Direct Loan program and the parallel FFEL program.  We hope to complete this review during the next
reporting period.


                                          




              Review of the Office for Civil Rights
                ACN 05-50200     November 22, 1995
As a result of several Congressional requests, the OIG conducted an audit of the Office for Civil Rights' complaint
evaluation and audit resolution processes.   We found that OCR has made many improvements in its operations.  OCR's
efforts are ongoing and our recommendations should assist them in contining to improve operations.  The results of our
review are discussed in detail in Abstract 1, "Significant Audits and Audit-related Activities."