Which act established the framework for measuring program performance in the federal government?

The Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) is the correct answer because it was specifically enacted to improve federal program performance and accountability. This legislation established a framework requiring federal agencies to set performance goals, measure the results of their programs, and report on their progress. GPRA emphasizes the importance of outcome-oriented performance measures, which allow for a clearer assessment of how well government programs are meeting their objectives.

Through this framework, agencies are encouraged to focus not only on the activities they undertake but also on the actual results of those activities. The act also mandates regular reporting to Congress on performance outcomes, which enhances transparency and informs decision-making processes.

The other options, while potentially relevant to discussions of government performance or accountability, do not specifically create the structure for measuring program performance in the same comprehensive way that GPRA does. For instance, the Federal Performance Review Act focuses primarily on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of government operations rather than establishing a performance measurement framework. Similarly, the Federal Accountability Act and the Program Evaluation Standards Act deal with accountability and evaluation but do not specifically outline the performance measurement structures mandated by GPRA.