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Department of Education Overview
Why it Matters:
News reports are stating that the Trump Administration has eliminated 1,300 positions at the Department of Education with an additional 600 workers quitting, leaving the Department of Education's future uncertain.
Executive Summary:
This report details the U.S. Department of Education (ED), its establishment, key officers, and organizational structure as defined by the Department of Education Organization Act (DEOA) of 1979. It further outlines the history, statutory officers, designated offices, and the Secretary’s authority to reorganize ED’s structure.
Key Provisions:
Background and Establishment
- The U.S. Department of Education (ED) was created by the Department of Education Organization Act (DEOA) on October 17, 1979.
- ED's operations began in May 1980.
- Before ED's creation, education matters were managed under the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW).
- ED’s creation aimed to improve the Federal Government’s coordination of education policies. (pg. 1, para. 2)
Purpose of the DEOA
The DEOA outlines seven main purposes:
- Ensuring equal educational opportunity.
- Supporting state and local education improvement efforts.
- Increasing public, parent, and student involvement in education programs.
- Enhancing educational quality through research and data sharing.
- Improving coordination and management of federal education programs.
- Reducing administrative burdens in funding processes.
- Increasing accountability of education programs to Congress and the public. (pg. 4, para. 2)
Officers and Leadership Positions
- Secretary of Education and Deputy Secretary of Education are appointed by the President with Senate confirmation. (pg. 4, para. 1)
- Additional presidentially appointed, Senate confirmed, positions include:
- Assistant Secretaries for Elementary and Secondary Education,
- Postsecondary Education,
- Special Education
- Rehabilitative Services, Civil Rights, and Career, Technical, and Adult Education.
- Director of the Institute of Education Sciences. (pg. 5, para. 2-3)
- Special Assistant for Gender Equity,
- Liaison for Community and Junior Colleges, and
- Director of the Office of Educational Technology. (pg. 6, para. 1-2)
Statutorily Established Offices
- The DEOA and other laws define several key offices within ED:
- Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
- Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE)
- Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE)
- Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
- Office of Indian Education
- Office of Non-Public Education
- Federal Student Aid Office
- ED has also created additional administrative units such as the Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development. (pg. 7, para. 2)
Secretary’s Reorganization Authority
- The DEOA gives the Secretary of Education authority to reorganize ED’s offices with limitations.
- The Secretary may not abolish offices created by the DEOA without congressional notice.
- The Secretary can merge or alter specified offices, such as the Office of Indian Education and the National Center for Education Statistics. (pg. 8, para. 1)
- Annual appropriations laws impose further restrictions on reorganizing programs or offices without congressional approval. (pg. 9, para. 2)
Date: February 14, 2025
