 |
Home | Contact Us | Press Room | Site Overview | Help | Login | Register |
 |
 |
| About NCSL | State & Federal Issues | Legislatures | Legislative Staff | Meetings | Bookstore | Legislators & Staff Only |
| NCSL Home > Legislative Staff: Staff Sections & Networks > NLPES > | Add to MyNCSL |
Research ResourcesBest PracticesFrequently, NLPES members have developed innovative approaches to conducting evaluations that should be shared with other states. Listed below are some of the innovative products that have been brought to NLPES' attention. For other best practices, check out the Question of the Month. NOTE - this site will be only as good as members make it, so please remember to notify us if your state has developed similar information that you think would be valuable to other NLPES members.
California (California State Auditor, Bureau of State Audits) Introduction to the Bureau of State Audits: This publication introduces the reader to the Bureau of State Audits, which includes a description of the staff structure and various work products.: This publication introduces the reader to the Bureau of State Audits, which includes a description of the staff structure and various work products. Implementation of State Auditor's Recommendations: Special Reports to Assembly Budget Subcommittees (Health and Human Services, Education Finance, Senate Budget and Fiscal Review, and State Administration): These reports summarize major findings and recommendations from audit and investigative reports that relate to agencies and departments under the purview of various budget subcommittees. They are submitted to the subcommittees before budget hearings. Staff Contact: Ms. Margarita Fernandez, CPA
Colorado (Colorado State Auditor's Office) Colorado State Auditor Annual Report: This report was reduced to a pamphlet format a few years ago to facilitate accessibility and communication. It includes various information such as the role of the State Auditor, the mission and performance outcomes for the office, and a listing of released audits. Privatization Assessment Workbook (1997): This workbook provides a dispassionate, systematic process for state agencies (or any government agency) to use when making assessments about whether to privatize a "government" service.: This workbook provides a dispassionate, systematic process for state agencies (or any government agency) to use when making assessments about whether to privatize a "government" service. Staff Contact: Mr. Larry Gupton
Florida (Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability) Best Financial Management Practice Reviews: These reviews examine school district operations to determine whether they are using the Best Financial Management Practices. Best Financial Management Practice Reviews are designed to encourage school districts to use performance and cost-efficiency measures to evaluate programs; to use appropriate benchmarks based on comparable school districts, government agencies, and industry standards to assess their operations and performance; to identify potential cost-savings through privatization and alternative service delivery; and, to link financial planning and budgeting to district priorities, including student performance. For additional information and links to past reviews, see http://www.oppaga.state.fl.us/school_districts/districtreviews.html. Florida Government Accountability Report (FGAR): This report is a massive Internet encyclopedia that covers all 400 programs in Florida state government. It also provides "accountability ratings" of programs that are participating in the performance based program budget process. FGAR has received several awards and favorable reviews by publications such as State Legislatures and Governing magazines. For additional information and description of FGAR, see http://www.oppaga.state.fl.us/government and http://www.oppaga.state.fl.us/reports/fgarguide.html. Florida Monitor Weekly: This weekly is an electronic newsletter that provides abstracts and links to recent publications and other information. There are over 350 subscribers. For additional information and to review some back issues of the Weekly, see http://www.oppaga.state.fl.us/weekly/. Staff Contact: Mr. John Turcotte
Idaho (Idaho Office of Performance Evaluation) Federal Mandate Review: These reviews examine federal legal requirements made of the state, associated federal funding, and state compliance with these requirements. Unlike performance evaluations, these reviews do not follow audit procedures and do not conclude with findings and recommendations. Implementation Report: This report provides the status of all recommendations made by the Office of Performance Evaluation. For each recommendation, there are three columns to indicate whether the recommendation has been implemented, is in progress, or has not been implemented. The report also includes a space for textual explanation of progress, as well as summaries of the Office of Performance Evaluation's estimates of the financial impact by each report. Committee Letters: These letters summarize reports that have been sent to various committees and also provide updates on progress from evaluated agencies. : These letters summarize reports that have been sent to various committees and also provide updates on progress from evaluated agencies. Background Papers: These papers are brief documents that summarize background information about a given program and the issues that may be of concern. Unlike evaluation reports, they do not conclude with findings and recommendations for improvement. The Oversight Committee uses background papers to determine whether a full evaluation will be completed. Staff Contact: Ms. Nancy Van Maren
Kansas (Kansas Legislative Division of Post Audit) 100 Hour Report: This is a special form of performance audit, estimated to take 100 hours or less of staff time to complete. These audits are undertaken only on the written direction of the Chairperson of the Legislative Post Audit Committee to the Legislative Post Auditor. These audits are limited in scope and are often used to determine whether a more comprehensive audit is warranted, or when the scope of the problem is unknown. : This is a special form of performance audit, estimated to take 100 hours or less of staff time to complete. These audits are undertaken only on the written direction of the Chairperson of the Legislative Post Audit Committee to the Legislative Post Auditor. These audits are limited in scope and are often used to determine whether a more comprehensive audit is warranted, or when the scope of the problem is unknown. Audit Flier: This flier is sent out to media in all Kansas cities with populations greater than 5,000 and all legislators when an audit is completed and presented to the Legislative Post Audit Committee. The flier contains a brief summary of the audit and provides staff contact names.: This flier is sent out to media in all Kansas cities with populations greater than 5,000 and all legislators when an audit is completed and presented to the Legislative Post Audit Committee. The flier contains a brief summary of the audit and provides staff contact names. Brochure for New Legislators: This brochure provides a brief introduction to the Legislative Division of Post Audit and is specifically aimed at new legislators. After each election, the brochure is sent to new members as a quick introduction to various products and services provided by the Legislative Division of Post Audit. : This brochure provides a brief introduction to the Legislative Division of Post Audit and is specifically aimed at new legislators. After each election, the brochure is sent to new members as a quick introduction to various products and services provided by the Legislative Division of Post Audit. Audit Matrix: This document, based on a methodology pioneered by the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO), has proven a valuable tool when planning efficient and effective audits. It lays out audit questions, what information is needed to answer those questions, where auditors can obtain needed information, and proposed ways to collect and analyze information. : This document, based on a methodology pioneered by the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO), has proven a valuable tool when planning efficient and effective audits. It lays out audit questions, what information is needed to answer those questions, where auditors can obtain needed information, and proposed ways to collect and analyze information. Staff Contact: Mr. Rick Riggs
Louisiana (Office of the Legislative Auditor) Draft Standards for Quick Response Auditing (QRA): These draft standards were written and paraphrased using the 1994 Revision of the Government Auditing Standards. Although performance auditors and program evaluators are being asked to respond to legislative requests more quickly, we still have an obligation to produce credible and accurate reports. Following a tailored set of QRA standards will allow us to continue meeting the changing needs of our legislature and to produce high quality products in a timely manner.: These draft standards were written and paraphrased using the 1994 Revision of the Government Auditing Standards. Although performance auditors and program evaluators are being asked to respond to legislative requests more quickly, we still have an obligation to produce credible and accurate reports. Following a tailored set of QRA standards will allow us to continue meeting the changing needs of our legislature and to produce high quality products in a timely manner. Staff Contact: Mr. David K. Greer
Minnesota (Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor) Best Practices Reviews of Local Government Services: Inspired by the British Audit Commission, which conducts national studies in England and Wales to find out what is the "state of the art" in the delivery of local services, the Legislature created this new tool to improve local government services in Minnesota. These reviews focus principally on counties, cities, and townships. Each review examines a specific, well-defined governmental service, develops a list of cost-effective and innovative practices, provides a forum for exchanging information about best practices, and creates a framework for benchmarking future performance. Staff Contact: Ms. Jody Hauer
Mississippi (Mississippi Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review) Lexicon of Legislative Oversight Objectives: This document defines the objectives of legislative oversight, and illustrates them with examples of findings and conclusions from past reports. Since requests for services may call for more than one type of objective, this document is intended to foster a common terminology for those concerned with legislative oversight.: This document defines the objectives of legislative oversight, and illustrates them with examples of findings and conclusions from past reports. Since requests for services may call for more than one type of objective, this document is intended to foster a common terminology for those concerned with legislative oversight. Staff Contact: Mr. James Barber
Texas (Texas Office of the State Auditor) Internet-Based Self-Assessment Guides: These interactive self-assessment guides utilize the Internet and help agencies identify problems in key areas. Currently, two guides are available: Human Resources and Automation Controls. Each guide has been further broken down into key control sections. Scores are computed for each of these key controls allowing agencies to determine areas of strengths and weaknesses. All responses are stored in a database in the Office and can be used by the Office during project risk assessments. The Office has plans to develop self-assessment guides for additional key control areas such as student financial aid. Staff Contact: Ms. Mary Goehring ********** Texas (Texas Sunset Commission) Self-Evaluation Report Instructions: This electronically transmitted set of questions is designed to obtain basic background and performance information from a state agency before a Sunset evaluation and review. Key areas covered include major functions, history, policymaking structure, funding, organization, guide to programs, performance evaluation, summary of the prior legislative session, and policy issues. Instructions also provide an opportunity for agencies to provide the Sunset Commission with a preview of issues and suggested improvements regarding the agency and its functions.: This electronically transmitted set of questions is designed to obtain basic background and performance information from a state agency before a Sunset evaluation and review. Key areas covered include major functions, history, policymaking structure, funding, organization, guide to programs, performance evaluation, summary of the prior legislative session, and policy issues. Instructions also provide an opportunity for agencies to provide the Sunset Commission with a preview of issues and suggested improvements regarding the agency and its functions. License Model Through its history of reviewing occupational licensing agencies dating back to 1977, the Sunset Commission has observed standard practices that guide such things as agency structure, the oversight they receive, and their approach to licensing and enforcement. The compilation of these standard practices provides a model for evaluating occupational licensing agencies to see if they are efficient, effective, fair, and accountable in their mission to protect the public. While these standards are expressed in terms of what "should" be, they may not be practical for every agency and in every situation. Before recommending changing an agency's statute based on these standards, understanding the historical context of the issue is necessary, as is evidence that applying the standard would fix a real problem. Staff Contact: Ms. Ginny McKay
Washington (Washington State Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee) Use of Adobe Acrobat: Adobe Acrobat is used to format documents for Webpage placement. This includes full reports, summaries, newsletters, and annual "impact reports." RFPs are also posted using Adobe Acrobat when major performance audits are contracted out.: Adobe Acrobat is used to format documents for Webpage placement. This includes full reports, summaries, newsletters, and annual "impact reports." RFPs are also posted using Adobe Acrobat when major performance audits are contracted out. Staff Contact: Mr. Rob Krell
Wisconsin (Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau) Best Practices Reviews: These reviews focus solely on county and municipal activities, whereas program evaluations only evaluate state programs. In addition, reviews are issued separately from standard program evaluations. Summary of Evaluations: These summaries are "stand-alone" one to two page summaries of standard program evaluations. Reviews are issued separately from bound program evaluations and are intended to provide the reader with a quick read of key findings and proposed solutions.: These summaries are "stand-alone" one to two page summaries of standard program evaluations. Reviews are issued separately from bound program evaluations and are intended to provide the reader with a quick read of key findings and proposed solutions. Letters to Legislators: These letters are formal responses to inquiries made by individual legislators when standard evaluations are not necessary. Staff Contact: Mr. Don Bezruki |
© 2008 National Conference of State Legislatures, All Rights Reserved
Denver Office: Tel: 303-364-7700 | Fax: 303-364-7800 | 7700 East First Place | Denver, CO 80230 | Map
Washington Office: Tel: 202-624-5400 | Fax: 202-737-1069 | 444 North Capitol Street, N.W., Suite 515 | Washington, D.C. 20001
