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United States Department Of Education Case Study

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The United States Department of Education was established in 1977 after Jimmy Carter decided to split up the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare by signing the Department of Education Organization Act into law in hopes of winning “increased federal funding for schools and teacher training.” The newly cabinet-level department began operation on May 16th, 1980. However, its name has differed over the past 130 years and its basis really began in 1867 by a legislation President Andrew Jackson signed into law. The original purpose was to help create effective schools across the nation by collecting information on teaching tactics and school systems. That purpose still holds true today and has expanded since then through its years. It was …show more content…

Johnson declared “unconditional war” on poverty in 1964 setting in place initiatives that were aimed to prevent poverty. One of the efforts centered around education was the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Title I of the act accounted for most of the funds of the ESEA which went to low income schools and school districts. Title II funded school libraries, textbooks, and preschool programs. Title III “mandated educational programming even when school was not in session.” Title IV funded educational research and training. Title IV funded educational research and training. Title V supplemented grants to state departments. And lastly VI, “provided definitions and limitations related to the law” (Jeffery, 1978) All these provisions did help lower poverty (even though some critics said it didn’t) and are still in place today though have been …show more content…

Unlike other nations, the United States’ school systems are primarily run and funded on the local and state level who also determine curriculum and educational standards. The function of the Department of Education according to their mission statement is to “establish policy for, administer and coordinate most federal assistance to education, collect raw data on schools in the United States and to enforce federal educational laws regarding privacy and civil rights.” Under the department of education there are several offices that take on different responsibilities to fulfill their mission by creating programs and providing funds to schools. For example, the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Office of Postsecondary Education, and the Office of Vocational and Adult Education. Another example is the Federal Student Aid office which is responsible for assisting students financially who are pursuing higher education through FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student

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