Federal Student Aid (FSA)

Chief Operating Officer, Theresa S. Shaw
FSA is a Performance Based Organization that administers the Student Financial Assistance Programs at the U.S. Department of Education. Learn about the role and function of FSA

Institute of Education Sciences (IES)

Director, Grover J. Whitehurst
IES, ED's main research arm, compiles statistics; funds research, evaluations, and dissemination; and provides research-based guidance to further evidence-based policy and practice. Its three operational divisions are the National Center for Education Research, the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, and the National Center for Education Statistics. Learn about the role and function of IES.

Key Personnel:

• Commissioner, National Center for Education Statistics—Robert Lerner

Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

Assistant Secretary, Vacant
OCR enforces Federal statutes that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in education programs receiving Federal financial assistance. Learn about the role and function of OCR.

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE)

Assistant Secretary, Raymond Joseph Simon
OESE provides financial assistance to State and local education agencies for both public and private preschool, elementary, and secondary education. Working together with these and other education partners, the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education promotes and supports equal educational opportunities and educational excellence for all students. Learn about the role and function of OESE.

Office of English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement for Limited English Proficient Students (OELA)

Deputy Under Secretary and Director, Maria Hernandez Ferrier
OELA administers programs designed to enable students with limited English proficiency to become proficient in English and meet challenging state academic content and student achievement standards. Learn about the role and function of OELA

Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII)

Deputy Under Secretary, Nina Shokraii Rees
OII makes strategic investments in promising educational practices through grants to states, schools, and community and nonprofit organizations. It also leads the movement for greater parental options and information on education. Learn about the role and function of OII

Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE)

Assistant Secretary, Sally L. Stroup
OPE directs, coordinates, and recommends policies for programs that are designed to provide financial assistance to eligible students; improve postsecondary educational facilities and programs; recruit and prepare disadvantaged students for postsecondary programs; and promote the domestic study of foreign languages and international affairs, research, and exchange activities. Learn about the role and function of OPE

Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools (OSDFS)

Deputy Under Secretary, Deborah Price
OSDFS supports efforts to create safe schools, respond to crises, prevent drug and alcohol abuse, ensure the health and well being of students, and teach students good citizenship and character. OSDFS coordinates ED efforts in these areas with other federal agencies and also leads ED Homeland Security efforts. Learn about the role and function of OSDFS

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)

Assistant Secretary, Vacant
OSERS assists in the education of children with disabilities and the rehabilitation of adults with disabilities and conducts research to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities regardless of age. Learn about the role and function of OSERS

Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE)

Assistant Secretary, Susan Sclafani
The Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) works to ensure that all Americans have the knowledge and technical skills necessary to succeed in postsecondary education, the workforce, and life. Through the Preparing America's Future initiative's comprehensive policies, programs and activities, OVAE is helping reform America's high schools, supporting America's community colleges and expanding America's adult education programs. These efforts will transform the federal role, sparking state and local reform efforts. Learn about the role and function of OVAE