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| Written by Maryellen Rogusky |
| Friday, 06 January 2006 06:33 |
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Education, Department of, executive department of the United States government, created by Congress in 1979 and officially established in May 1980. The department is administered by a secretary, who is appointed by the president, with the approval of the Senate, and who is a member of the cabinet. Congress first authorized a Department of Education in 1867 to collect and disseminate information on education. About a year later it was abolished and its functions transferred to a new Office of Education in the Department of the Interior. This office became part of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in 1953. During its history, the Office of Education acquired responsibility for aiding public and private schools at all levels. For many years educators, led by the National Education Association, claimed that federal educational activities deserved membership in the cabinet. This goal was fulfilled with the establishment of the new department. The major purposes of the Department of Education are to ensure equal educational opportunity for all and to improve the quality of that education through federal support, research programs, and information sharing. To this end, the department oversees a variety of financial-aid programs. These include support to states and local school districts to assist underprivileged and disabled students, provide vocational education, promote bilingual education, and oversee racial integration. For colleges and universities, the department provides money for programs in international studies, adult education courses, grants to improve instruction, assistance in building facilities, and financial aid to students. In addition, it enforces civil rights and conducts research and gathers educational information. http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761578730/Department_of_Education.html#701500680 People Involved: Secretaries of Education 1979-1981 Shirley Hufstedler 1981-1984 Terrell H. Bell 1985-1988 William J. Bennett 1988-1990 Lauro F. Cavazos 1991-1993 Lamar Alexander 1993-2001 Richard W. Riley 2001-2004 Rod Paige References: MSN Encarta; November 15, 2004 |