U.S. Department of Education

Main website: https://studentaid.gov/

Established: When ED was established in 1979, FSA moved under ED from the then U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. It was under the Higher Educational Amendments of 1998 that FSA became the Federal government’s first performance-based organization, which must “achieve results while improving performance” as congressionally mandated.

About: "Responsible for managing the student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965."

Additional FSA information and resources:

Main website: https://ies.ed.gov/

Established: In 1979 under the name of Office of Educational Research & Improvement (Public Law 96–88)

Mission: "Provide scientific evidence on which to ground education practice and policy and to share this information in formats that are useful and accessible to educators, parents, policymakers, researchers, and the public."

Additional IES information and resources:

Main website: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html

Established: In 1979 (Public Law 96–88)

Mission: "To ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence through vigorous enforcement of civil rights in our nation’s schools." 

Additional OCR information and resources:

Main website: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/index.html

Established: In 1979 under the name of Office of Vocational & Adult Education (Public Law 96–88)

About: "Administers and coordinates programs that are related to adult education and literacy, career and technical education, and community colleges."

Additional OCTAE information and resources:

Main website: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oela/index.html

Established: In 1979 under the name of Office of Bilingual Education & Minority Languages Affairs (Public Law 96–88)

About: "Provides national leadership to help ensure that English Learners and immigrant students attain English proficiency and achieve academic success."

Additional OELA information and resources:

Main website: https://oese.ed.gov/

Established: In 1979 (Public Law 96–88)

Mission: "To empower States, districts, and other organizations to meet the diverse needs of every student by providing leadership, technical assistance, and financial support."

Additional OESE information and resources:

Main website: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/index.html

Established: In 1979 (Public Law 96–88)

About: "To strengthen the capacity of colleges and universities to promote reform, innovation and improvement in postsecondary education, promote and expand access to postsecondary education and increase college completion rates for America’s students, and broaden global competencies that drive the economic success and competitiveness of our Nation."

Additional OPE information and resources:

Main website: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/index.html

Established: In 1979 (Public Law 96–88)

Mission: "To improve early childhood, educational, and employment outcomes and raise expectations for all people with disabilities, their families, their communities, and the nation."

Additional OSERS information and resources: