Accountability is in. In his introductory message to The President's Management Agenda, George W. Bush challenged, "...Good beginnings are not the measure of success. What matters in the end is completion. Performance. Results. Not just making promises but making good on promises."
Under the leadership of Secretary Rod Paige, the U.S. Department of Education has made some ambitious promises-promises that reflect the mission of the Department, the principles of the landmark No Child Left Behind Act, and the expectations of The President's Management Agenda. The Department has clearly defined and continues to refine its promises through rigorous strategic planning and performance management.
Plans are just the "good beginnings." Success will be measured by the results achieved. To ensure that its operations remain focused on results, the Department has in place disciplined performance and accountability processes. The Department uses performance information to guide its budget development. To support these efforts with achievement-oriented information, the Department has established comprehensive results-based initiatives that will improve the timeliness and quality of data about its programs and objectives while reducing the burden on grantees providing it. As demonstrated by these well-conceived processes and tools, the U.S. Department of Education is committed to meeting the President's challenge to not just make promises but to make good on promises.
The Strategic Accountability Service, in the Office of the Deputy Secretary, is the organizational entity responsible for Strategic Planning, Performance and Accountability, Budget and Performance Integration, and Results-Based Data Initiatives at the U.S. Department of Education. Specifically, the Strategic Accountability Service develops and implements Department-wide systems and procedures for the strategic and annual plans and performance reports. It provides performance information for the management of operations and for performance budgeting. It coordinates the presentation of the Department's plans and related policy proposals to the public and Congress. It conducts program operations reviews and analyses, including monitoring policy implementation and management objectives, strategies and action items.
Contact the Strategic Accountability Service at (202) 260-8229 or via e-mail hugh.walkup@ed.gov.
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