| 1.  | What Is the U.S. Department of Education?                         |
|----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
|          |
| 2.  | How Does the Department of Education Serve America’s Students?.   |
|          |
| 3.  | What Is Not Part of the Department of Education’s Role?           |
|          |
| 4.  | How Is the Department of Education Organized?                     |
|          |
| 5.  | Where Is the Department of Education?                             |
|          |
| 6.  | Where Can I Get More Information?                                 |

What Is the U.S. Department of Education?

The U.S. Department of Education is the agency of the federal government that establishes policy for, administers and coordinates most federal assistance to education. It assists the president in executing his education policies for the nation and in implementing laws enacted by Congress. The Department's mission is to serve America's students-to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.

In 2007-08, the Department's elementary and secondary school programs served approximately 55 million students (pre-K throughgrade 12) attending some 100,000 public schools and 34,000 private schools. Department programs also provided grant, loan and work-study assistance to about 10 million undergraduate students. *

When Congress created the Department in 1979, it declared these purposes:

- to strengthen the Federal commitment to ensuring access to equal educational opportunity for every individual; 
- to supplement and complement the efforts of States, the local school systems and other instrumentalities of the States, theprivate sector, public and private educational institutions, public and private nonprofit educational research institutions,community-based organizations, parents, and students to improve the quality of education; 
- to encourage the increased involvement of the public, parents, and students in Federal education programs; 
- to promote improvements in the quality and usefulness of education through federally supported research, evaluation, andsharing of information;
- to improve the coordination of Federal education programs; 
- to improve the management and efficiency of Federal education activities, especially with respect to the process, procedures, and administrative structures for the dispersal of Federal funds, as well as the reduction of unnecessary and duplicative burdens and constraints, including unnecessary paperwork, on the recipients of Federal funds; and
- to increase the accountability of Federal education programs to the President, the Congress and the public. (Section 102, Public Law 96-88)

## The Department's History

Although the Department is a relative newcomer among Cabinet-level agencies, its origins goes back to 1867, when President Andrew Johnson signed legislation creating the first Department of Education. Its main purpose was to collect information and statistics about the nation's schools. However, due to concern that the Department would exercise too much control over local schools, the new Department was demoted to an Office of Education in 1868.

Over the years, the office remained relatively small, operating under different titles and housed in various agencies, including the U.S. Department of the Interior and the former U.S. Department of Health Education and Welfare (now Health and Human Services).

Beginning in the 1950s, political and social changes resulted in expanded federal funding for education. The successful launch ofthe Soviet Union's Sputnik in 1957 spurred nationwide concern that led to increased aid for science education programs. The 1960ssaw even more expansion of federal education funding: President Lyndon Johnson's "War on Poverty" called for the creation of manyprograms to improve education for poor students at all levels—early childhood through postsecondary. This expansion continued in the1970s with national efforts to help racial minorities, women, people with disabilities and non-English speaking students gain equal access to education. In October 1979, Congress passed the Department of Education Organization Act (Public Law 96-88). Created by combining offices from several federal agencies, the Department began operations in May 1980.

In the 1860s, a budget of $15,000 and four employees handled education fact-finding. By 1965, the Office of Education had morethan 2,100 employees and a budget of $1.5 billion. As of mid-2010, the Department has nearly 4,300 employees and a budget of about$60 billion.

*SOURCES: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. Data from the Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey for the 2007-08 school year; the 2007-08 Private School Universe Survey; and the 2007-08 National Postsecondary Aid Study. For the most current data visit http://nces.ed.gov.

How Does the Department of Education Serve America’s Students?.

In fulfilling its purposes as declared by Congress in Public Law 96-88, the Department engages in four major types of activities.

## 1. The Department of Education—

### establishes policies relating to federal financial aid for education, administers distribution of those funds and monitors their use.

Like most federal activities, Department of Education programs must first be authorized by Congress through legislation that is signed into law by the president. The Department then develops regulations that determine exactly how a program will be operated. These regulations are published in the *Federal Register* for public comment and reviewed by Congress. Congress must also vote to appropriate the money that each program will receive annually.

The Department distributes financial aid to eligible applicants throughout the nation for early childhood, elementary, secondaryand postsecondary education programs. Federal programs benefit all students, and special programs exist to serve individuals withdisabilities, those who live in poverty, American Indians, immigrants and those with limited English proficiency. Federal funds for education are distributed using three methods: a set formula, competition and financial need determination.

*By formula*: Some programs follow a formula prescribed in the bill approved by Congress authorizing a program. Such a program might be set up so that qualified agencies receive an amount of money that is determined by the number of students meeting certain criteria in that state or school district. For example, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Department allocates money to the states to help them provide a free, appropriate public education for children with disabilitiesbased on the number of children reported by each state as having special developmental or educational needs. 

*By competition*: Federal money also is awarded on the merit of competitive applications. Applicants are ranked in order of merit and the most qualified applications are awarded funds. Those eligible for such funding include state and local education agencies or school districts; education partnerships (programs jointly sponsored by education institutions and the private sector); colleges and universities; individual researchers; and community-based organizations such as nonprofit agencies.

*By financial need determination*: The third basis on which federal money is awarded is financial need. For example, postsecondary students applying for grants, loans and fellowships must prove family financial need according to established guidelines.

## 2. The Department of Education—

### collects data and oversees research on America's schools and disseminates this information to Congress, educators and thegeneral public.

The Department oversees research on most aspects of education; collects data on trends; and gathers information to help identify best practices in education, including teaching techniques that work. Employees of the Department, as well as contractors and grant recipients, carry out the research.

Research findings and statistics are disseminated to educators, policymakers, parents, researchers and the general public in the form of reports and publications—both printed and online. Recent publications have covered the latest national assessments of educational progress in a variety of subject areas, innovations in education, the condition of education in America, annual reports on a variety of federal education programs, how to improve mathematics education and many other pertinent education topics. In a typical year, the Department publishes hundreds of publications and millions of copies to meet the public's demand for information.

## 3. The Department of Education—

### identifies the major issues and problems in education and focuses national attention on them.

The Department makes recommendations for education reform. The secretary advises the president in this regard and leads the Department in implementing the president's education policies in many arenas—from the preparation of legislative proposals for Congress to decisions about education research priorities. Of vital importance in formulating and implementing policies is the Department’s close work with a variety of advisory groups and organizations composed of citizens from all walks of life who have an interest and expertise in education and who provide significant ideas on key policies and programs.

In addition, the secretary brings national attention to education issues by giving speeches, writing articles for publication, addressing the media and making personal appearances in schools and other education settings. The Department further highlights education issues by sponsoring and participating in national conferences and other similar activities, such as the Blue Ribbon Schools and Presidential Scholars award programs, the Teaching Ambassador Fellows Program, the Student Art Exhibit Program,and special events and ceremonies to honor teachers or students.

## 4. The Department of Education—

### enforces federal statutes prohibiting discrimination in programs and activities receiving federal funds and ensures equal access to education for every individual.

The Department enforces five civil rights statutes to ensure equal educational opportunity for all students, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age. These laws extend to all state education agencies, elementary and secondary school systems, colleges and universities, vocational schools, proprietary schools, state vocational rehabilitation agencies, libraries and museums, and other entities that receive U.S. Department of Education funds. Specific examples of those whose rights are protected include homeless children with disabilities, individuals with limited English proficiency, women and girls in athletic programs, and people in need of vocational rehabilitation.

What Is Not Part of the Department of Education’s Role?

In creating the Department of Education, Congress specified that:

*No provision of a program administered by the Secretary or by any other officer of the Department shall be construed to authorize the Secretary or any such officer to exercise any direction, supervision, or control over the curriculum, program of instruction, administration, or personnel of any educational institution, school, or school system, over any accrediting agency or association, or over the selection or content of library resources, textbooks, or other instructional materials by any educational institution or school system, except to the extent authorized by law.* (Section 103[b], Public Law 96-88)

Thus, the Department does not

- establish schools and colleges;
- develop curricula;
- set requirements for enrollment and graduation;
- determine state education standards; or
- develop or implement testing to measure whether states are meeting their education standards. *

These are responsibilities handled by the various states and districts as well as by public and private organizations of all kinds, not by the U.S. Department of Education.

* Since 1969, the Department's National Center for Education Statistics has conducted the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). It is the only nationally representative and continuing assessment of what American students know and can do in major academic subjects and provides a wealth of data about the condition of education in the U.S. NAEP is not the same as testing done by each state to measure how well its students meet the state's academic standards; however, a large discrepancy between children's proficiency on a state's test and their performance on NAEP may suggest the state needs to take a closer look at its standards and assessments and consider making improvements.

How Is the Department of Education Organized?

The *secretary of education* leads the Department and promotes public understanding of the Department's mission, goals and objectives. The secretary is nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. As a member of the president's Cabinet, the secretary is the principal adviser to the president on federal policies, programs and activities related to educationin the United States.

The *deputy secretary* plays a pivotal role in overseeing and managing the development of policies, recommendations and initiatives that help define a broad, coherent vision for achieving the president's education priorities, and the *under secretary* oversees policies, programs and activities related to postsecondary education, vocational and adult education, and federal student aid. In addition, the secretary appoints an assistant secretary to oversee each of the nine program offices (see list below).

The *Office of the General Counsel* serves as the principal adviser to the secretary on all legal matters affecting Department programs and activities and represents the secretary, other officers and the Department in court and in some litigation. In addition, OGC provides legal advice and services to the secretary and other Department officials, prepares regulatory documentsand legal instruments, drafts legislative proposals, and reviews proposed and pending legislation. The Office of *Inspector General* promotes the effective and efficient use of taxpayer dollars in support of American education by detecting and preventing fraud, waste and abuse in the administration of Department programs and operations. OIG serves as the principal adviser to the secretary on these matters.

The *Office for Civil Rights* enforces federal laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap or age in educational programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. It directs, coordinates and recommends policy for related civil rights activities.

The *Office of Communications and Outreach* leads the Department in informing the public about and engaging it in the president's and secretary's education agenda and the Department's mission of fostering educational excellence and promoting equal access to education. Audiences are the general public as well specialized publics, such as educators, the media, policymakers, business and community groups, and researchers. The *Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs* serves as the Department's liaison to Congress and the secretary's principal adviser on matters concerning the Department's legislative program and congressional relations. And the *International Affairs Office* works with external partners, for example, other federal agencies, foreign governments and international organizations, as well as internal offices, to coordinate the Department's international programs and initiatives and build a U.S. presence in the international education community.

The *Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development* serves as the principal adviser to the secretary on all matters relating to policy development and review, strategic planning, program performance measurement and evaluation, and budget processes and proposals. It is home to the Department's Budget Service and Family Policy Compliance Office. It also coordinates the activities of the *Office of Educational Technology*, which has as its main goal maximizing technology's contributions to improving education nationwide through developing national educational technology policy and implementing it Departmentwide.

The *Office of Management, the Office of the Chief Financial Officer*, the *Office of the Chief Information* Officer, and the *Risk Management Service* are responsible in their respective operational areas for making the Department a high-performing organization.

Four White House education initiatives have their home at the Department so that its senior officers may serve as the liaisons between the executive branch and the constituencies of these initiatives: the *White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the White House Initiative on Tribal Colleges and Universities*, the *White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans*, and the *White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders*. Also, the *Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships* was established at the Department with the goal of enlisting faith-based and community organizations in support of the Department's mission.

The Department has nine program offices.

- The  Institute of Education Sciences  provides national leadership in expanding fundamental knowledge of education and produces rigorous evidence on which to ground education practice and policy. This is accomplished through the work of its four centers: the National Center for Education Research, the National Center for Education Statistics, the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, and the National Center for Special Education Research.
- The  Office of English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement and Academic Achievement for Limited English Proficient Students  administers, coordinates and recommends policy for developing and supporting high-quality instructional programs designed to serve the education needs of linguistically and culturally diverse students, thereby helping these English language learners and immigrants attain English proficiency and academic success.
- The  Office of Elementary and Secondary Education  provides leadership, technical assistance and financial support to state and local education agencies for the maintenance and improvement of both public and private preschool, elementary and secondary education.  OESE  administers programs designed to advance the academic opportunities of the nation's neediest children.
- The  Office of Innovation and Improvement  administers and coordinates programs and activities designed to support and test innovations throughout the K-12 system, including a number of teacher quality programs and reforms that expand parental choice of schools for their children and information about best practices. It is also the Department's liaison to the non-public education community.
- The  Office of Postsecondary Education  is responsible for formulating federal postsecondary education policy and administering programs that address critical national needs in support of increased access to quality postsecondary education for all students.  OPE  also promotes the domestic study of foreign languages and international affairs and supports international education research and exchange.
- The  Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools  administers, coordinates and recommends policy for improving programs and activities that promote the health and well-being of students in elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education. Such programs and activities comprise drug and violence prevention programs, character and civic education, and a variety of other comprehensive efforts to promote students' physical and mental health.
- The  Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services  supports programs designed to meet the needs and develop the full potential of children with disabilities, reduce dependency and enhance the productive capabilities of youths and adults with disabilities, and support research to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities, regardless of age.
- The  Office of Federal Student Aid  administers the systems and products related to providing tens of billions of dollars annually in federal financial aid to millions of students pursuing postsecondary education and training opportunities. The office provides the information and forms needed to apply for loans, grants and work-study funds, as well as information for students, parents, financial aid administrators, lending institutions, auditors and others in the field. It also leads the U.S. government-wide initiative to deliver Web-based services from government agencies and organizations to postsecondary students (see http://students.gov ).
- The Office of Vocational and Adult Education  supports a wide range of programs and activities that provide adults with the basic skills necessary to obtain a high school diploma or the equivalent and support them in their pursuit of postsecondary, career or technical education and lifelong learning. 

**You can find more information on the Department's website on each of the offices mentioned above. Visit http://www2.ed.gov/about/ offices/list/index.html and select the link for the office in which you are interested.**

If you want detailed information on any of the approximately 200 Department programs authorized and funded under federal law, check the Guide to U.S. Department of Education Programs at http://www2.ed.gov/programs/gtep/gtep.pdf. It also includes information on the laboratories, centers and other facilities funded by the Department that provide important resources for education.

For help with any question you may have, check with the Department's Information Resource Center or another of the sources listed at the end of this booklet.

Where Is the Department of Education?

The headquarters and most operations are in Washington, D.C., where the staff of approximately 3,100 occupies parts of several different buildings. The main building, where the secretary’s office is located, is the Lyndon Baines Johnson Building at 400 Maryland Ave. SW. Additionally there are about 1,100 employees who work in 10 regional offices around the country. These offices represent the Department’s programs and interests on a regional basis.

Where Can I Get More Information?

## GENERAL INFORMATION

**Information Resource Center**
- General information about U.S. Department of Education programs,funding opportunities, services and publications
- Referrals to Department programs and offices
- Directory assistance to Department staff
- Information about legislation and policy

**1-800-USA-LEARN*** (1-800-872-5327)TTY: 1-800-437-0833www.ed.gov/answers

**Washington, D.C. Headquarters**
U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC 20202https://www.ed.gov
FINANCIAL AID**Federal Student Aid Information Center**- General information about student financial assistance programs,such as Pell Grants and student loans
- Questions about the application process, status of loans andlocation of lenders
- Information on teacher loan forgiveness
- Financial aid publications

**1-800-4-FED-AID*** (1-800-433-3243TTY: 1-800-730-8913https://studentaid.ed.gov
PUBLICATIONS**Education Publications Center**-  Order Department publications and products(Braille and other alternative formats available)
-  Search for Department publications online

**1-877-4-ED-PUBS*** (1-877-433-7827)TTY: 1-877-576-7734 or 1-800-437-0833E-mail: edpubs@inet.ed.govwww.ed.gov/pubs
CIVIL RIGHTS**Civil Rights Hotline**-  Report discrimination at education institutions on the basis of race,sex, disability, national origin or age
-  Information on civil rights compliance programs
-  Procedures for filing discrimination complaints
-  Access to civil rights regulatory and policy documents

**1-800-421-3481***TTY: 877-521-2172E-mail: OCR@ed.govwww.ed.gov/ocr
RESEARCH AND STATISTICS**National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)**-  Statistical information
- Reference assistance

**1-800-424-1616**TTY: 202-205-7561https://nces.ed.gov
TEACHING RESOURCES
**What Works Clearinghouse**ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/

**Teacher Ambassador Fellowship**www.ed.gov/programs/teacherfellowship/index.html

**Federal Resources for Educational Excellence**www.ed.gov/free/index.html

**Teachers Website**www.ed.gov/teachers
GRANTS AND PROGRAMS**Grants and Programs Websites**-  Grant information (finding and applying)   www.ed.gov/fund/landing.jhtml
-  Programs (purpose and eligibility)   www.ed.gov/programs/landing.jhtml
RECURSOS EN ESPAÑOL
**Education Resources for Spanish Speakers**Frequently asked questions about education at all levelshttps://www.ed.gov/respuestas

*Spanish speakers available
REGIONAL OFFICES
**Region I(Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont)**U.S. Department of EducationPOCH Building5 Post Office Square9th Floor, Room 24Boston, MA 02110Telephone: 617-289-0100

**Region II(New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands)**U.S. Department of EducationFinancial Square32 Old Slip, 25th FloorNew York, NY 10005Telephone: 646-428-3905

**Region III(Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia)**U.S. Department of Education100 Penn Square EastSuite 505Philadelphia, PA 19107Telephone: 215-656-6010

**Region IV(Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee)**U.S. Department of Education61 Forsyth St. SWSuite 19T40Atlanta, GA 30303Telephone: 404-974-9450

**Region V(Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin)**U.S. Department of Education500 W. Madison StreetSuite 1427Chicago, IL 60661Telephone: 312-730-1700

**Region VI(Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas)**U.S. Department of Education1999 Bryan St.Suite 1510Dallas, TX 75202-6817Telephone: 214-661-9500

**Region VII(Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska)**U.S. Department of Education8930 Ward ParkwaySuite 2043Kansas City, MO 64114-3302Telephone: 816-268-0400

**Region VIII(Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming)**U.S. Department of Education1244 Speer Blvd, Suite 615Denver, CO 80204-3582Telephone: 303-844-3544

**Region IX(Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands)**U.S. Department of Education50 Beale Street, Room 9700San Francisco, CA 94105Telephone: 415-486-5700

**Region X(Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington)**U.S. Department of EducationJackson Federal Bldg.915 2nd Avenue, Room 3362Seattle, WA 98174-1099Telephone: 206-607-1655

You may also visit the regions at https://www2.ed.gov/about/contacts/gen/regions.html
  Last Modified: 05/14/2018