Department of Education

 White House Initiatives

A number of committees and other groups assist and advise the U.S. Department of Education in carrying out its mission. Comprised of individuals who are knowledgeable of education in elementary and secondary schools or postsecondary and adult education institutions, these groups provide valuable guidance to the Department on policy and program issues. The President appoints Commissions to advise him on matters of national importance, including education. Additionally, the Secretary of Education establishes Commissions that advise both the President and the Department of Education.

• Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships
• White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics
• White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
• President's Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities
• President's Board of Advisors on Tribal Colleges and Universities

ED's mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.
Congress established the U.S. Department of Education (ED) on May 4, 1980, in the Department of Education Organization Act (Public Law 96-88 of October 1979). Under this law, ED's mission is to:

• Strengthen the Federal commitment to assuring access to equal educational opportunity for every individual;
• Supplement and complement the efforts of states, the local school systems and other instrumentalities of the states, the private sector, public and private nonprofit educational research institutions, community-based organizations, parents, and students to improve the quality of education;
• Encourage the increased involvement of the public, parents, and students in Federal education programs;
• Promote improvements in the quality and usefulness of education through Federally supported research, evaluation, and sharing of information;
• Improve the coordination of Federal education programs;
• Improve the management of Federal education activities; and
• Increase the accountability of Federal education programs to the President, the Congress, and the public.