Summary

This testimony provides updated information on the state of program evaluation in the field of drug education for youth. GAO discusses the role of evaluation in (1) the Department of Education's program of grants to states and local school districts under the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1986; (2) the department's Drug-Free School Recognition Program; and (3) other promising, comprehensive community-based programs. GAO found slow progress in establishing the results of sizable federal funding, or more generally, in learning what works in educating youth about the dangers of drug abuse.