Functional Statements > Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development

## Sections

-  Mission and Responsibilities
-  Organization
-  Order of Succession
-  Immediate Office of the Assistant Secretary
-  Executive Office
-  The Office of Budget Service (Budget Service)
-  Grants Policy Office
-  Office of the Chief Data Officer
-  Student Privacy Policy Office
-  Office of Educational Technology
Mission and Responsibilities
The Assistant Secretary for the Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development (OPEPD) serves as the principal adviser to the Secretary on all matters relating to policy development, implementation, evaluation, and review, budget proposals and processes, data strategy and governance, and student privacy. The Assistant Secretary is specifically responsible for:
Coordinating with offices across the Department to ensure that policy development and implementation is in line with the Secretary's priorities and guidance;
Overseeing policy development and analyzing current and proposed education policy and directing the development of policy options for the Secretary;
Developing and reviewing Department budget proposals, regulations, grants, program performance measures, and the Department's learning agenda to ensure consistency with the Secretary's and the Administration's goals;
Managing budget programs, processes, and proposals;
Providing technical expertise in formula development, modeling, forecasting, and trends analysis, and conducting analyses of cost/benefit and institutional effects of regulations;
In cooperation with other offices, directing the Department's legislative development process, especially as it relates to budget and related legislative policy proposals; 
Working with the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) and other Department Offices to develop and implement evidence-based practices;
Managing a repository of evidence, data, and policies necessary to formulate, develop, validate, and recommend policy positions including for legislative proposals and program reauthorizations to the Secretary;
Developing and enforcing the Department's data strategy and governance policies; improving the Department's ability to leverage data as a strategic asset; overseeing information collections approval and associated OMB clearance process; and overseeing lifecycle data management.
Developing and maintaining a technological and analytical infrastructure to be responsive to the strategic data needs of the Department; and exploiting traditional and emerging methods to improve decision making, optimize of programs for desired outcomes, and generate efficiencies.
Clarifying and enforcing the following laws related to student privacy: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), and the Armed Forces Recruiter Access to students and Student Recruiting Information provision of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA);
Overseeing the Department's privacy program;
Advancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in the Department, across federal agencies, and with external partners; and
Developing educational technology policy and establishing strategies that encourage the use educational technology to transform teaching and learning.

Organization
OPEPD is under the supervision of the Assistant Secretary, who reports directly to the Secretary of Education. Six entities report to the Immediate Office of the Assistant Secretary: 
the Executive Office;
the Office of Budget Service
the Grants Policy Office; 
the Office of the Chief Data Officer; 
the Student Privacy Policy Office; and 
the Office of Educational Technology.

Order of Succession
In the event that the Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development dies, resigns, or is otherwise unable to perform the functions and duties of the office and the office is thereby deemed to be vacant, as defined by the Vacancies Act, and the President has not designated in writing another individual to act as the Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, as the designated “first assistant" under the Vacancies Act, shall perform the functions and duties of the office in an acting capacity. If both the offices of the Assistant Secretary and the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary are vacant, or the time period during which the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary may serve in acting capacity has expired, the individuals listed below the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, in the order shown, are authorized to perform the functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary, except for any functions and duties that are required by law to be performed only by the Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development or by someone officially acting in such capacity.
In instances where the office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development is filled, but the Assistant Secretary is absent, unavailable, otherwise unable to perform the functions and duties of the position, or there is a disruption in the normal channels of direction and communication, and there is no person officially serving in an acting capacity, and unless the Assistant Secretary or the Secretary, in writing, designates another individual to perform the functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary, the following officials, in the order shown, are delegated the authority to perform the functions and duties of the office of the Assistant Secretary except for any functions and duties that are required by law to be performed only by the Assistant Secretary or by someone officially acting in such capacity
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary
Deputy Assistant Secretary for P-12 Policy Development
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education and Student Financial Aid Policy         Development
Chief of Staff
Director, Budget Service
Chief Data Officer
Director, Grants Policy Office
Director, Student Privacy Policy Office

Immediate Office of the Assistant Secretary
The Assistant Secretary serves as the principal adviser to the Secretary on all matters relating to policy development, implementation, and review; performance measurement and evaluation; budget proposals and processes, data strategy and governance, and student privacy. To that end, the Assistant Secretary manages and coordinates the Department's planning, evaluation, data, policy development and budget activities, working with the Office of the Secretary, the Department's grant-making offices, IES, the Office of Finance and Operations (OFO), and external organizations, such as Congress and the Office of Management and Budget.
Responsibilities include:
Managing the policy development process, including coordinating policy development across offices, and managing the Policy Committee
Acting as a policy clearinghouse for the Secretary including policy development and analyzing and developing policy and legislative proposals, including proposals developed outside the Department and by Members of Congress.
Identifying issues, preparing options, and making recommendations about policy priorities to the Secretary, other Assistant Secretaries at the Department, the White House, and the Congress.
Advising and counseling the Secretary about the consequences of actions and events within and outside the Department and provides information and analyses that enable the Secretary to anticipate, avoid, and resolve potential problems and conflicts. 
Maintaining continuing liaison with other agencies in the Executive Branch and with external educational organizations.
Representing the Secretary and the Department in explaining and defending policies and program priorities to Department officials, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Congress, and the public.
Directing the review and analyses program evaluations, analytics, and data management; identifying evidence necessary for effective policy, budget, and legislative development.

Executive Office
The Executive Office serves as the principal staff of the Assistant Secretary in developing, coordinating, and implementing internal administrative matters such as personnel, budget, financial management, organization, contracts, facilities, correspondence control, clearance processes, and support services. The Executive Office coordinates with other elements of the Department, advises on matters of concern to the Assistant Secretary, and performs special assignments as directed.
The Office of Budget Service (Budget Service)
The Budget Service has lead responsibility for: (1) developing and implementing the Department's budget; (2) formulating budget and related legislative policy proposals for Department programs; (3) presenting the Department's budget and related policy proposals to the public and Congress; (4) establishing and maintaining a Department wide performance-based budget formulation, execution, and management system; (5) reviewing and analyzing Department program operations, including budget and policy implementation; and (6) serving as the managing partner for the government-wide Budget Line of Business.
The Budget Service is also responsible, in cooperation with the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), the Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs (OLCA) and the Assistant Secretary's office, for the direction of the Department's legislative development process. It also plays a prominent role in reviewing regulations, analyzing policy, and overseeing the Department's management of its programs and administrative resources.
In carrying out its lead responsibilities, the Budget Service:
Develops the annual budget, including calendars and instructions for formulating, presenting, and executing the Department's budget.
Works with the Department's offices to assure that performance measurements ensure the effectiveness of the Department's programs, grants, loans, guarantees and other initiatives.
Directs the Department's legislative development process in cooperation with OGC and OLCA and the Assistant Secretary's office.
Ensures the planning and allocation of resources through budget formulation; provides administrative budget support for ED's Principal Offices through budget execution; and assists the Deputy Assistant Secretary in planning, coordinating, and monitoring high-priority budget initiatives.
Implements the Secretary's decisions by formulating the final budget proposals to OMB, defending the proposals before OMB, and providing support to Principal Officers in presenting the budget to OMB, the Congress, and the public.
Prepares official cost estimates for all legislative and regulatory activity. 
Develops all Department-level budget documents, including budget and legislative submissions to OMB, the budget submission to the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the President's Budget, the Secretary's press release on the budget, and congressional justifications.
Advises the Assistant Secretaries, Under Secretary, Deputy Secretary and Secretary about the program, management, and budget consequences of actions and events within and outside the Department.
Maintains liaison with OMB; congressional appropriations, budget, authorizing, and select committees; the Congressional Budget Office; the GAO; the Department of the Treasury; the Congressional Research Service; the ONDCP; and other organizations on the formulation, presentation, and execution of the Department's budget.
Develops and maintains major budgetary systems for the Department, such as apportionments and allotments for funds control and management to ensure conformity with the Anti Deficiency Act, and outlay estimates, procedures, and controls.
Receives all funds appropriated or transferred to the Department and approves apportionment and reapportionment requests to OMB, warrant requests to Treasury, interagency agreements for funds coming into the Department, and allotment of all funds to entities within the Department.
Analyzes legislative proposals developed outside the Department by identifying issues; preparing options; assessing costs; assuring consistency with previous policies; and projecting possible effects; and making recommendations about priorities and program directions and management.
Reviews and analyzes short- and long-term plans for program evaluations, management objectives, and statistical surveys; and recommends evaluations and studies that are necessary for effective budget, policy, and legislative development.
Serves as the managing partner for the government-wide Budget Line of Business.

Functions of the Budget Service are carried out by the following organizations:
Budget Policy and Coordination Division
Budget Execution and Administrative Analysis Division
Cost Estimation and Analysis Division
Elementary, Secondary, and Vocational Analysis Division
Special Education, Rehabilitation, Research, and Postsecondary Analysis Division

The Directors of these Divisions report directly to the Director, Budget Service.
The Budget Policy and Coordination Division and Budget Execution and Administrative Analysis Division are responsible for the technical aspects of the budget, including developing Department-wide budget systems and procedures; coordinating the presentation of the Department's budget to the public and Congress; and establishing and maintaining a Department-wide budget execution system.
Budget Policy and Coordination Division
The Budget Policy and Coordination Division is responsible for developing budget policies and procedures and coordinating the budget process.
In carrying out its responsibilities, the staff:
Develops a process for the annual planning and budget cycle, including a master calendar.

Develops instructions and fiscal guidance for all budget submissions, including Principal Officers' submissions to the Secretary, the Department's submission to OMB, and justifications to Congress on the annual budget, supplemental, budget amendments, rescissions, deferrals, reprogramming requests, and congressional effect statements.
Reviews the Department's submission to OMB and justifications to Congress for adherence to instructions and guidance.
Works with the Office of Communications and Outreach to print and publish all appropriate budget materials (including web-based content).
Develops and maintains Department-wide budget tables.
Serves as liaison with OMB, appropriations and budget committees, and other Federal agencies regarding requirements for budget submissions, hearings and presentations, and appropriations language.
Coordinates the Department's participation in the appropriations hearings process and the preparation relevant briefing materials.
With the Budget Execution and Administrative Analysis Division, prepares all outlay estimates for the Department, acting as liaison with OMB, CBO, Treasury, and other offices regarding outlay reporting and estimates.
Develops instructions for, and coordinates the preparation of, special reports to Congress and about Congressional action providing a variety of program and administrative budget data. Analyzes appropriations language and congressional intent and works with the program analysis divisions in the Budget Service to determine the need for legal opinions from the General Counsel.
Collects and verifies data on all ED programs and enforcement activities described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) and is lead contact with OMB on CFDA matters.

Budget Execution and Administrative Analysis Division
The Budget Execution and Administrative Analysis Division is responsible for formulating, presenting, analyzing, and executing the Department's administrative budget, interpreting budget execution policies and procedures, establishing and maintaining a Department wide budget execution system for all Department program and administrative funds, analyzing and providing input on Department financial and accounting systems, analyzing Department financial and accounting data, preparing and analyzing outlays and outlay estimates, and overseeing and managing the Budget Line of Business.
The Division comprises three branches—the **Administrative Analysis Branch**, the **Budget Execution Analysis Branch**, and the **Budget Line of Business**.
Each Branch:
Works in concert with other Budget Service offices to ensure proper execution of funds appropriated or transferred to or collected by the Department by reviewing, approving, and processing apportionments to OMB, warrant, borrowing, and non-expenditure requests to Treasury, cooperative and interagency agreements, and interdepartmental transfers of funds; issuing allotments of funds; and monitoring and analyzing the financial activity of all Department funds.
Works with other Department offices in a wide variety of situations that affect the execution and management of the budget, e.g., continuing resolution funding levels, financial reporting and budgetary accounting, managing the use of object classes, and reviewing budget operating plans.
Monitors outlays, develops outlay estimates and projections, compares estimated to actual spending patterns, and ensures adherence to congressional and Presidential ceilings and reductions.
Works on activities related to reprogramming actions, supplementals, rescissions, and deferrals.

The Budget Execution Analysis Branch additionally is responsible for establishing and maintaining the Department's budget execution system--including funds control, data integrity rules, and account structure. The Branch analyzes the Department's new and existing financial systems on system requirements analysis, testing, and daily maintenance of the systems. The Branch uses Congressional appropriations and authorizing legislation as well as OMB and Treasury written guidance to enter, approve, and post into the Department financial system funding transactions. In addition, the Branch analyzes financial data, providing the results to high-level Department decision makers, OMB, Treasury, States, and members of Congress. The Branch also provides regular analysis and support on technical budgetary accounting treatments to ensure Department compliance with OMB funds control requirements and the Treasury Standard General Ledger (USSGL).
The Administrative Analysis Branch additionally is responsible for budget formulation and execution activities for all of the Department's administrative accounts. This includes preparing OMB and Congressional justification budget materials as well developing and communicating annually the Salaries and Expenses (S&E) allocations for each of the Department's principal offices. The Branch monitors and analyzes FTE usage and performs workload data analysis in working to best align FTE resources with areas of high Department priority. In addition, the Branch analyzes the Department's Information Technology (IT) portfolio, so that informed budget decisions can be made.
Cost Estimation and Analysis Division
The Cost Estimation and Analysis Division is responsible for developing full-cost estimates for the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL), and Ford Direct Student Loan (FDSL) programs, as well as aiding in administrative cost estimates for Federal student financial assistance programs as a whole. Lastly, the Division serves as a resource for the rest of the Budget Service in developing cost estimates and other technical analyses for existing or proposed programs.
In carrying out its responsibilities, the Division:
Establishes and maintains liaison with other Federal agencies to implement cooperative agreements, interagency agreements, transfers of funds, and legislation and regulations affecting Departmental funds control.
Monitors program outlays, comparing projected and actual spending patterns and developing revised outlays estimates and other information as necessary.
Monitors the execution of the budget appropriated by Congress by analyzing and approving operating plans.
Cooperates with the Budget Policy and Coordination Division in developing requests for reprogramming actions, supplementals, rescissions, and deferrals. 
Creates cost models for activities related to the administration of student financial assistance programs.
Maintains a cost estimation computer model to estimate annual costs for the Pell Grant program based upon an existing large data base for information on students, families, enrollments, and economic trends, and modifies the model to accommodate proposed and potential variations in program policies.
Coordinates methodology and data with Budget Service staff and Federal Student Aid executives and the Office of Postsecondary Education. Analyzes several minor national systems for determining student need for Federal grant assistance.
Creates and maintains cost and program impact computer models for existing student loan and families financing programs as well as proposed and potential variations on such programs.
Creates and maintains a cost and program impact computer model for the HBCU Capital Financing program.
Coordinates methodology and data with Budget Service staff, Federal Student Aid, and the Office of Postsecondary Education.
Maintains a large compendium of information on the outstanding portfolio of student and facilities loans, the characteristics of previous and potential borrowers, and relevant economic and financial conditions (e.g., enrollments, borrowing, propensity to default, 91-day Treasury bill rates, condition of academic facilities, availability of long-term financing, and long-term bond rates).
Works with Federal Student Aid, Office of Postsecondary Education, and outside auditors in developing liability estimates, allocation tables, and other materials related to the Department's financial statements.
Analyzes a wide range of Government-wide credit management and debt collection issues including preparation of an annual credit analysis required by OMB Circular A-70, and development of budget policies related to the Credit Reform Act.
Analyzes major emerging initiatives such as the implementation of the Credit Reform Act of 1990 and Treasury and OMB guidelines on the management of guaranteed loan programs, involving all loan programs of the Department and significant interaction with other Department offices, OMB, and the private financial community.
Analyzes implications for Departmental loan programs of Federal credit policies, national economic data and trends, private sector money and banking policies, as well as information about students and postsecondary institutions and demographic data about incomes and other population characteristics.
Works closely with the Office of Postsecondary Education, Federal Student Aid, and the Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development, and coordinates cross-Department teams to develop, review, and analyze data sources and assumptions for both the Pell Grant and student loan program cost estimation models.
Develops models and cost estimates for other loan and grant programs as requested.

Elementary, Secondary, and Vocational Analysis Division and Special Education, Rehabilitation, Research, and Postsecondary Analysis Division
These two organizational divisions have identical functions. In carrying out the responsibilities for their assigned programs, each Division:
Directs and assists in the formulation of budget proposals involving the program and other Principal Officers, as appropriate.
Analyzes budget proposals from the program Principal Officers by identifying issues, preparing options, assessing costs and impacts, and making recommendations about priorities to help the Secretary allocate scarce resources among competing interests.
Establishes and maintains liaison with other Federal agencies to implement cooperative agreements, interagency agreements, transfers of funds, and legislation and regulations affecting Departmental funds control.
With the Cost Estimation and Analysis Division, assesses cost impact of budget, legislative, and regulatory proposals. Monitors the execution of the budget appropriated by Congress by analyzing and approving operating plans.
With the Budget Execution and Administrative Analysis Branch, receives funds appropriated or transferred to the Department, approves, apportionment and reapportionment requests to OMB, warrants reports to Treasury, and interagency agreements for the Department, and allots program funds to organizational entities within the Department.
Monitors program outlays, comparing projected and actual spending patterns and developing revised outlays estimates and other information as necessary. 
Develops requests for reprogramming actions, supplementals, rescissions, and deferrals.
Directs the formulation of legislative proposals, involving program and other Principal Officers.
Analyzes legislative proposals developed outside the Department by identifying issues; preparing options; assessing costs, and making recommendations about priorities and program direction. 
Represents the Assistant Secretary and the Department in explaining and defending policies, programs, and budgets to Department officials, OMB, Congress, and the public, including continuing liaison with appropriations and budget committees, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Government Accountability Office regarding program and budget policies.
Reviews and comments on regulations and other policy documents that affect the operation of Department programs.
Prepares the annual drug budget submission to the ONDCP and provides support to ONDCP on drug prevention issues.
Reviews and analyzes short and long term plans for program evaluations, management objectives, and statistical surveys; and recommends evaluations and studies that are necessary for effective budget, policy, and legislative development.
Completes descriptive and analytical studies of the Department's programs through contracts with outside firms, in response to congressional directives or for program policy decisions.

The Divisions differ from one another because they are responsible for program, budget, and legislative review functions for different program areas. The distribution of program area responsibilities generally corresponds to the organizational structure of the Department's program Principal Offices. Thus, the officials and staff responsible for managing the Department's programs generally have a one to one relationship with one of the divisions.
The following is a list of appropriation accounts under which the Department's approximately 185 major programs are grouped, reflecting the responsible Division for each account.
Elementary, Secondary, and Vocational Analysis Division
Education for the Disadvantaged;
School Improvement Programs;
Impact Aid;
Innovation and Improvement;
Safe Schools and Citizenship Education;
Indian Education;
Institute of Education Sciences;
English Language Acquisition; and
Vocational and Adult Education.

Special Education, Rehabilitation, Research, and Postsecondary Analysis Division
Special Education;
Rehabilitative Services and Disability Research;
American Printing House for the Blind;
National Institute for the Deaf;
Higher Education;
Howard University; and
Gallaudet University.

Cost Estimation and Analysis Divisionv
Student Financial Assistance;
Federal Family Education Loans; and
Federal Direct Student Loans (Program, Financing, and Liquidating Accounts)
Higher Education Facilities Loans;
College Housing Loans;
College Housing and Academic Facilities Loans; and
HBCU Capital Financing Program.

Budget Execution and Administrative Analysis Division
Program Administration;
Student Aid Administration;
Federal Direct Student Loans Administration;
Office for Civil Rights; and
Office of Inspector General.

Grants Policy Office
The Grants Policy Office works with offices across the Department to ensure alignment with the Secretary's priorities, including evidence-based practices — where the Department and the field can continuously improve by building stronger evidence, making decisions based on a clear understanding of the available evidence, and disseminating evidence to decision makers. Specific activities include:
Strengthening the connection between the Secretary's policies and grant implementation throughout the process, from design through evaluation, including monitoring activities and continuation decisions.
Helping grant-making offices implement timely and efficient grant competitions so that grant awards are made as early as possible.
Supporting a culture of evidence-based practices, including providing guidance to grant-making offices on how to integrate evidence into program design and identifying opportunities where the Department and the field can improve by building, understanding, and using evidence.
Working with offices across the Department to shape the Department's relationships with State Educational Agencies (SEAs), Local Educational Agencies (LEAs), Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), and other stakeholders to minimize federal burdens and encourage needed innovation and experimentation.
Developing and providing training to staff in grant-making offices in collaboration with the Office of Grants Administration in OFO.

Office of the Chief Data Officer
The Office of the Chief Data Officer (OCDO) is responsible for managing and improving the Department's ability to leverage data as a strategic asset. The OCDO is led by the Department's Chief Data Officer (CDO), whose authority is partially set forth in the OPEN Government Data Act. The CDO is charged with carrying out the responsibilities under 44 U.S.C. § 3520. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to, lifecycle data management across the Department, developing and enforcing the Department's data strategy and governance policies. The OCDO has oversight over the Department's information collections approval and associated OMB clearance process. It is responsible for developing and enforcing the Department's open data plan, including management of a centralized comprehensive data inventory accounting for all data assets across the Department. The CDO submits annual compliance reports to Congress on agency compliance with the OPEN Government Data Act. The OCDO is also responsible for developing and maintaining a technological and analytical infrastructure that is responsive to the Department's strategic data needs, exploiting traditional and emerging analytical methods to improve decision making, optimize outcomes, and create efficiencies.
The OCDO serves several coordinating functions across the Department, federal government, and public and private sectors. The CDO chairs the Department Data Governance Board (DGB), gathering input from across the Department to inform policy and process decisions about the development and use of the Department's data assets. The CDO also serves as the Department liaison to other agencies and OMB on the best way to use existing agency data for statistical purposes. The CDO coordinates with the Department's Chief Information Officer (CIO) to improve infrastructure and reduce barriers that inhibit data asset accessibility and on implementing and enforcing applicable policies and procedures with respect to records management. The CDO engages agency employees, the public, and contractors in using public data assets and encourages collaborative approaches on improving data use. The CDO also supports the Department's Performance Improvement Officer and Evaluation Officer in obtaining and using data to carry out their respective missions.
To drive these functions, the OCDO is comprised of three divisions, collectively developing, supporting, and enforcing the Department's data strategy, data governance, and strategic use of data assets.
Governance and Strategy Division:
This division is responsible for developing and enforcing the Department's data strategy and governance policies. It provides oversight and strategic review of the Department's information collections and clearance processes. The head of this division serves as the DGB's program manager and represents the CDO, as needed, on the Department's Planning and Investment Review Working Group (PIRWG). Responsibilities are supported through two formal work streams:
- Governance and Policy: Supports development and execution of OCDO and Department policies on lifecycle data management, data resources, data protection, data quality, access, and dissemination; serves as OCDO liaison for government and non-governmental requests for data access; prioritizes data asset inventory as in accordance with Department's open data plan; evaluates data for value, risk, and quality, and enforces agency policies under the Information Quality Act; represents OCDO in Disclosure Review Board (DRB) proceedings; and coordinates with the Department's Senior Agency Official for Privacy to review and approve systems of records notices, computer matching agreements, and other memoranda of understanding related to data access and disclosure.
- Strategic Collections and Clearance: Serves as the Department's primary Paperwork Reduction Act unit, liaising with OMB to facilitate the expeditious processing of Information Collection Clearance requests; coordinates the delivery of technical assistance on the information collection process for all Department data stewards; ensures agency compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act and monitors the Department's collection burden with regular reporting; and identifies overlapping, outdated, or unnecessary collections, and helps adjudicate decisions that maximizes strategic information and minimizes burden.

Analytics and Infrastructure Division:
This division is responsible for developing and maintaining a technological and analytical infrastructure to be responsive to the strategic data needs of the Department's staff. It provides analytic support and data expertise to the Assistant Secretary and POCs, supporting the improvement of decision making, optimization of programs for desired outcomes, and reduction of burden, improper payments, and other risks. It leads the Department's data literacy program, promotes skills development for Department data professionals, and fosters a data culture across the Department. Responsibilities are supported through two formal work streams:
- Analytics and Evaluation: Exploits cutting-edge and emerging methods, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence for program optimization, predictive analytics, and the development of other analytical products; conducts quick-turn analyses that leverage methodological techniques such as statistical modeling, quasi-experimental conditions, experimental designs, and A/B testing; developing micro- and macro-level forecasts and trends; and identifying and managing agency risk in agency programs and products, including the federal student loan portfolio, through the development of risk models, profiles, and scoring.
- Data Infrastructure and Support: Supports the maintenance and continuous improvement of technological and analytical infrastructure needed for lifecycle data management and strategic use of data; boosts operational data systems through the deployment of prescriptive models that enable and automate data-driven decisions in real time; and serves as program data experts that execute, on behalf of POCs and leadership, quick turnaround analyses requiring extraction and transformation from Department systems.

Innovation and Engagement Division:
This division is responsible for improving the Department's ability to leverage data as a strategic asset. It develops, publishes, and oversees implementation of the Department's Open Data Plan. It supports the CDO in coordinating with other agencies on the use of agency data, engaging with the public and private sector to improve data use and on obtaining and using data. It develops tactical solutions to emerging data challenges for broader agency deployment. Responsibilities are supported through two formal workstreams:
Data Products: Develops and maintains products that describe agency data assets and facilitates their reuse and understanding; manages the comprehensive data inventory, accounting for all agency data assets, and curates that inventory to enrich and improve the usefulness of its content; promotes data sharing, making data accessible, understandable, and reusable; and develops and maintains innovative public-facing consumer information portals and products for interactively exploring data assets and illustrating insights from analysis.
Integration and Access Management: Coordinates with other agencies, private sector organizations, and other agency offices to obtain data assets in support of the agency's mission or to provide agency data assets in support of another agency's mission; develops solutions that provide tiered access to data assets based on public need and privacy protocols; and partners with OCIO and POC Data Coordinators to identify, evaluate, and implement innovative technology solutions for improving the collection, access, and reuse of data.

Student Privacy Policy Office:
The Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO) leads Department efforts to protect privacy. It provides leadership, oversight, and coordination to ensure Department and field compliance with several federal privacy laws and regulations, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, Section 208 of the E-Government Act of 2002, the Social Security Number Fraud Prevention Act of 2017, the privacy portion of the annual Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 (FISMA) Privacy Report, and other applicable OMB requirements. The SPPO manages and maintains the Department's privacy program to include the enforcement of student privacy laws, the development and evaluation of privacy policy, the management of privacy risks, and the provision of administrative and technical support to the DIB.
The Office is led by the Department's Chief Privacy Officer (CPO), who also serves as the Department's Senior Agency Official for Privacy (SAOP). The CPO serves as an expert on privacy across the Department and the field, collaborates with other federal agencies and educational technology entities with roles in protecting privacy, and advises the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary on issues relating to privacy. The SPPO coordinates with other POCs on the privacy and confidentiality provisions of their laws and ensures the Department's compliance with privacy requirements for information systems under the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA). As the SAOP, the CPO chairs the Department's Data Integrity Board; reviews and approves System of Records Notices; coordinates with both the DIB and the Department's CDO on the development of computer matching agreements, memoranda of understanding, and other data sharing agreements; and chairs the Department's Privacy Incident Response Team (PIRT) and coordinates with Department's Chief Information Security Officer on issues related to program reviews and breaches. The CPO also manages and chairs the Department's DRB.
SPPO provides technical assistance, guidance, and training to educational agencies and institutions, including schools, LEAs, IHEs, SEAs, and other relevant organizations on issues related to compliance with FERPA, PPRA, and the Armed Forces Recruiter Access to Students and Student Recruiting Information provisions of the ESEA. Activities include the following:
Develops policy for issues related to student privacy, including legislative and regulatory matters;
Coordinates technical assistance and guidance for relevant organizations, including educational institutions, LEAs, SEAs, and the broader community regarding FERPA, PPRA, and the Armed Forces Recruiter Access to Students and Student Recruiting Information provisions of the ESEA, including both best practices and compliance;
Responds to inquiries relating to privacy best practices related to FERPA, PPRA, and the Armed Forces Recruiter Access to Students and Student Recruiting Information provisions of the ESEA;
Creates and maintains the Department's external web resources related to privacy best practices related to FERPA, PPRA, and the Armed Forces Recruiter Access to Students and Student Recruiting Information provisions of the ESEA; and
In accordance with the PPRA, 20 U.S.C. Section 1232h(c)(5)(C), prepares annual notification for State and local educational agencies of their obligations under FERPA and PPRA and coordinates training on these topics generally.

In addition, as part of its enforcement of federal laws related to student privacy and parental rights, including FERPA, PPRA, and the Armed Forces Recruiter Access to Students and Student Recruiting Information provisions, SPPO activities include the following:
Investigates, processes, and reviews complaints alleging violations of FERPA and PPRA, negotiates appropriate solutions to address such alleged violations, and, when warranted, initiates enforcement actions;
Enforces the requirements under Section 8528 of the ESEA, which in part requires LEAs to disclose directory-type information (secondary school students' names, addresses, and telephone listings) to military recruiters and institutions of higher education, upon request and provided that the parents of the students have not opted out of such a disclosure;
Sets enforcement priorities, relying on data and information, as well as anticipating trends in the education community;
Conducts self-initiated investigations, where warranted, based on incoming information or in accord with enforcement priorities;
Responds to phone calls about existing complaints, and assists those seeking to file complaints;
Signs outgoing letters relating to complaints, such as dismissal letters, and letters of finding;
Communicates with complainants and educational agencies and institutions subject to the above statutes to keep them informed about enforcement matters; and
Uses and maintains a case tracking system for complaints and any resulting investigative or enforcement actions.

Finally, SPPO also is responsible for raising employees' awareness of privacy issues, demonstrates how employees can safeguard the personally identifiable information (PII) that the Department utilizes, and fosters a culture of accountability for protecting PII within the Department, including the following:
Ensures Department-wide compliance with all applicable statutes, regulations, and policies regarding the creation, collection, use, processing, storage, maintenance, dissemination, disclosure, and disposal of PII by programs and information systems;
Establishes and maintains a comprehensive privacy program and a privacy program plan that ensures compliance with applicable privacy and breach notification requirements, such as developing and evaluating Department-wide privacy policies on safeguarding privacy;
Oversees the implementation and management of Department-wide systems and databases that support the successful and efficient handling of privacy safeguards administration;
Provides guidance and instruction to Department staff regarding processes and procedures regarding the protection of PII, including Privacy Act Systems of Records Notices (SORNs) and Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs);
Coordinates interagency development, review, and approval of Computer Matching Agreements (CMAs) in support of the DIB and other matching activities that are not matching programs which the DIB wishes to review and report on.
Coordinates with the CIO and information system stakeholders on the implementation of technical controls for privacy protection within the Department's information systems and with respect to the Department's information technology;
Plays a central policy-making role in the Department's development and evaluation of legislative, regulatory, and other policy proposals that have privacy implications;
Manages privacy risks associated with any Department activity that involves the creation, collection, use, processing, storage, maintenance, dissemination, disclosure, and disposal of PII by programs and information systems;
Serves as a champion for privacy awareness and education across the agency to raise employees' awareness of privacy issues, developing and providing training to Department employees and contractors regarding the safeguarding of privacy; and
Serves as the Department's primary liaison with the OMB and other agencies on interagency privacy safeguards, compliance, and breach notification initiatives.

Office of Educational Technology
The Office of Educational Technology (OET) develops educational technology policy and establishes strategies for encouraging the development and use of educational technology that transforms teaching and learning and that empowers students and families. The Assistant Secretary of OPEPD, who reports directly to the Secretary, serves as the Director of OET. The Office is authorized under Section 218 of the Department of Education Organization Act and managed by a Deputy Director.
In performing its responsibilities, OET:
Recommends policies and programs that uses the transformative power of technology to empower students, teachers, and parents;
Advocates for the use of technology to provide engaging, empowering, and personalized learning experiences to improve learning outcomes, often by developing and leading initiatives and special projects;
Supports advances in learning science and efficacy research to improve learning outcomes;
Develops, disseminates, and periodically updates a National Education Technology Plan to encourage the development and use of transformative and empowering educational technology;
Works with offices across the Department to keep staff and leadership apprised of trends in educational technology and its implications for improving student outcomes; and
Collaborates with a diverse group of stakeholders (including local and state education leaders; teachers, librarians, students, and parents; education technology companies and nonprofits; researchers; and other federal offices and agencies) to improve learning outcomes by encouraging the development and use of transformative and empowering educational technology.

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  Last Modified: 02/06/2023