Legal Definitions - Department of Education

The Department of Education is a part of the federal government that is responsible for managing and coordinating most of the federal programs that provide assistance to education. The head of the Department is the Secretary of Education. The Department includes several offices that focus on different aspects of education.

• The Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs (OBEMLA) helps students who speak languages other than English to learn and succeed in school.
• The Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) conducts research to improve education and shares information about effective teaching methods.
• The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) provides funding and support to schools that serve students in grades K-12.
• The Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) helps students who are pursuing higher education, such as college or vocational training.
• The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) provides support and resources to students with disabilities.
• The Office of Student Financial (OSF) helps students and families pay for education by providing financial aid and information about scholarships and loans.
• The Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) helps adults who are seeking job training or other educational opportunities.

These examples illustrate how the Department of Education works to support education at all levels, from early childhood through adulthood. The Department provides funding, research, and resources to help students succeed in school and beyond.