Veterans' Employment and Training Service
Further Changes Needed to Strengthen Its Performance Measurement System Gao ID: GAO-01-757T June 7, 2001The Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) runs programs and activities designed to help veterans obtain employment and training assistance. Recently, policymakers have advocated changes to the structure and administration of the VETS program and the way it assesses program performance. This testimony discusses VETS' efforts to improve its performance measurement system. VETS has proposed changes to its performance measurement system that will move it closer to implementing an effective accountability system. However, more changes are needed so that VETS can effectively determine whether its programs and services are fulfilling its mission. VETS continues to send a mixed message to states about what services to provide and to whom. In addition, two of the proposed measures may provide nearly identical results, and neither helps VETS to monitor whether more intensive services are being provided to veterans or whether these services are successful. Furthermore, through its planning documents and proposed performance measures, VETS continues to inconsistently identify the groups of veterans that it wants states to help. This testimony summarizes a May report (GAO-01-580).