Legal Definitions - Department of Education

The Department of Education (DOE) is a principal agency within the U.S. federal government, led by a Secretary who is a member of the President's Cabinet. Its primary role is to manage and coordinate most of the national programs and financial aid initiatives aimed at supporting education throughout the United States.

Here are some examples illustrating the function of the Department of Education:

• Student Financial Aid: Imagine a high school senior named Alex who dreams of attending college but needs financial assistance. Alex completes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for federal grants and loans.

  This illustrates the DOE's role because the Department of Education is responsible for overseeing and administering the vast majority of federal student aid programs, including Pell Grants and federal student loans. Alex's application and potential receipt of aid are directly managed through policies and systems established by the DOE to make higher education more accessible.

• Public School Funding and Standards: A public school district in rural Georgia receives federal funding specifically designated to improve its literacy programs for elementary school students and ensure they meet national reading proficiency benchmarks.

  This example demonstrates the DOE's function in administering federal programs of assistance. The Department allocates funds to states and local districts for specific educational purposes, such as literacy improvement, and often sets guidelines or standards to ensure these funds are used effectively and that educational goals are met across the country.

• Educational Research and Policy Guidance: A state education board is considering implementing new strategies to support English Language Learners (ELLs) and consults research findings and best practice recommendations published by a federal office dedicated to bilingual education and minority languages affairs.

  This highlights the DOE's coordinating and guiding role. The Department supports and disseminates educational research, provides resources, and offers guidance on effective teaching practices and program development. By doing so, it influences state and local educational policies and initiatives, helping to improve outcomes for diverse student populations nationwide.