Education in the United States is a vast and decentralized system, primarily governed at the state and local levels. However, the federal government, through the Department of Education (ED), plays a crucial role in shaping the nation’s educational landscape. While states and local districts are responsible for the day-to-day operations of schools, the Department of Education works to ensure equal access to education and promote educational excellence across the country. Understanding “What Does The Department Of Education Do” requires looking at its multifaceted responsibilities and historical evolution.
Overview of the Department of Education’s Role
It’s essential to recognize that funding for education in the U.S. predominantly comes from state, local, and private sources. For the school year 2012-2013, for instance, out of an estimated $1.15 trillion spent on education at all levels, the vast majority was from non-federal sources. Specifically, at the elementary and secondary levels, approximately 92 percent of funding originated from state, local, and private entities.
This leaves the federal contribution to elementary and secondary education at roughly 8 percent. This portion is not solely managed by the Department of Education; it also includes funds from other federal agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services’ Head Start program and the Department of Agriculture’s School Lunch program.
Despite its relatively small share of the overall education budget, the Department of Education strategically utilizes its funds to maximize impact. Its approach reflects a historical pattern of federal involvement in education as a “safety net,” stepping in to address critical national needs and fill gaps in state and local support. This targeted approach ensures that federal resources are directed where they can make the most significant difference in improving educational outcomes nationwide.
A Historical Perspective on the Department of Education
The concept of a federal entity dedicated to education dates back to 1867 with the creation of the original Department of Education. Initially, its primary function was to gather and disseminate information about schools and teaching methods to assist states in developing effective education systems. Although the agency has undergone name changes and shifts in its position within the Executive Branch over the past century and a half, this foundational emphasis on providing data-driven insights to educators and policymakers remains a core function today.
The federal role expanded with the passage of the Second Morrill Act in 1890, assigning the then-named Office of Education the responsibility of overseeing support for land-grant colleges and universities. Vocational education gained prominence as another area of federal aid, with acts like the 1917 Smith-Hughes Act and the 1946 George-Barden Act focusing on vocational training in agriculture, industry, and home economics for high school students.
World War II brought about a significant increase in federal education support. The 1941 Lanham Act and the Impact Aid laws of 1950 provided financial relief to communities burdened by the presence of military and federal installations by offering payments to school districts. Furthermore, the landmark “GI Bill” of 1944 revolutionized postsecondary education by providing assistance to nearly 8 million World War II veterans pursuing college degrees.
The Cold War era spurred the first comprehensive federal education legislation. In 1958, in response to the Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik, Congress passed the National Defense Education Act (NDEA). Aimed at bolstering America’s scientific and technical capabilities to compete with the Soviet Union, the NDEA encompassed initiatives such as college student loans, improvements in science, mathematics, and foreign language instruction, graduate fellowships, foreign language and area studies, and vocational-technical training.
The civil rights movements of the 1960s and 1970s significantly shaped the Department’s mission towards ensuring equal access. Landmark legislation such as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 outlawed discrimination based on race, sex, and disability, respectively. These laws solidified civil rights enforcement as a fundamental and enduring priority for the Department of Education. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 introduced a wide array of programs, including the Title I program providing federal aid to disadvantaged children in urban and rural areas. The same year, the Higher Education Act authorized support for postsecondary education, including financial aid programs for college students with financial needs.
In 1980, the Department of Education was formally established as a Cabinet-level agency. Today, the ED administers programs that touch upon every facet and level of education, serving approximately 18,200 school districts, over 50 million students in around 98,000 public schools and 32,000 private schools annually through its elementary and secondary programs. Additionally, Department programs offer grants, loans, and work-study assistance to over 12 million postsecondary students.
The Mission of the Department of Education: Excellence and Equal Access
Despite the expansion of the federal role in education, the Department’s core mission has remained consistent: to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access for all.
The Department pursues this mission through two primary avenues. First, the Secretary of Education and the Department assume a leadership role in the ongoing national conversation about enhancing the education system for all students. This involves activities such as raising public awareness of national education challenges, disseminating research-backed best practices in teaching and learning, and assisting communities in developing solutions to complex educational issues.
Second, the Department advances its dual objectives of access and excellence by administering a wide range of programs spanning from preschool to postdoctoral research. These programs provide crucial support to students, educators, and institutions across the nation, aiming to create a more equitable and high-quality education system. For detailed information about the Department’s specific programs, refer to resources like the President’s FY 2025 Budget Request for Education.
Staffing and Efficiency
It is noteworthy that while the Department of Education’s programs and responsibilities have grown significantly over time, the Department’s staffing levels have remained relatively lean. In fact, among the 15 Cabinet agencies, the Department of Education has the smallest staff, even though its discretionary budget is the third largest, only surpassed by the Department of Defense and the Department of Health and Human Services. Furthermore, the Department manages over $150 billion in new and consolidated loans each year. This highlights the Department’s commitment to efficient operation and maximizing the impact of taxpayer dollars in serving the nation’s educational needs.
In conclusion, the Department of Education plays a vital, albeit often understated, role in American education. While states and localities bear the primary responsibility for education, the ED acts as a crucial catalyst for improvement, ensuring equity, and driving excellence across the entire educational spectrum. Understanding “what does the department of education do” reveals an agency dedicated to shaping a brighter future for students and the nation through strategic leadership, targeted programs, and a steadfast commitment to its core mission.
