United States Education United States Department of Education

United States Education

United States Department of Education • One large organization that oversees American Education • Secretary is Betsy De. Vos • Does not establish national curriculum • Enforces federal statutes prohibiting discrimination in programs and activities receiving federal funds and ensures access to education for every individual • Look at each of these (and others) individually https: //www 2. ed. gov/about/overview/mission. html

Department of Education’s Mission …is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. Think about this because we will revisit this in just a few minutes. https: //www 2. ed. gov/about/overview/mission. html

Betsy De. Vos • United States Secretary of Education • Is a member of the President’s Cabinet • Makes educationrelated decisions with the help of her advisors • Enacts educationrelated legislation with the help of her staff https: //www 2. ed. gov/news/staff/bios/devos-options. html

No National Curriculum • In the United States, education is a “State’s right. ” • This means that each state may determine what should be taught to the students of that state. • This also means that each state’s curriculum may be different from another state’s curriculum.

Enforce federal statutes There are ways in which the Department of Education serves America’s students, but one of the most important is it… • enforces federal statutes prohibiting discrimination in programs and activities receiving federal funds and ensures access to education for every individual. https: //www 2. ed. gov/about/overview/focus/what_pg 2. html

Office of Civil Rights (OCR) Mission: to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence through vigorous enforcement of civil rights in our nation’s schools. • Enforce federal civil rights laws, particularly those laws relating to (for our purposes): – Title IX: discrimination based on sex – Section 504: discrimination based on disability https: //www 2. ed. gov/about/offices/list/ocr/aboutocr. html

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 1975 • Also known as PL 94 -142 • The “cornerstone” of our special education laws • Guarantees a “free, appropriate public education” (FAPE) in the student’s “least restrictive environment” (LRE). • Protects the rights of students with disabilities, and those students’ parents • Assists states in providing for the educational need of children with disabilities • Assesses the effectiveness of efforts to educate all children with disabilities. https: //www 2. ed. gov/about/offices/list/osers/idea 35/history/index_pg 10. html; original source: Education for All Handicapped Children Act, 1975

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) • This is a federal law that protects the educational records of students. • Parents only have access to student records until the student is 18 (or until the student graduates high school). • Once the student is 18 (or has graduated high school), parents need the student’s permission to access their educational records. https: //www 2. ed. gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index. html? src=rn

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), 2015 • At the postsecondary level, ESSA help to provide for preparation, training, and recruiting of high-quality teachers, principals, and other school leaders by: – “Increasing student achievement consistent with the challenging State academic standards; – Improving the quality and effectiveness of teachers, principals, and other school leaders; – Increase the number of teachers, principals, and other school leaders who are effective in improving student academic achievement in schools; and provide low-income and minority students greater access to effective teachers, principals, and other school leaders. ” • At the elementary and secondary level, ESSA – “Advances equity by upholding protections for America’s disadvantaged and high-need students. ” – Increases access to high-quality preschools. – Ensures college and career readiness for high school graduates. https: //www 2. ed. gov/policy/elsec/leg/essa/legislation/title-ii. html

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), 2015 • College and Career Readiness. – How does this compare and/or contrast to home? – Do students graduate high school prepared to enter the workforce? Or do they graduate prepared to enter college? Or both? – When is the decision made about college or workforce? Do all students have the option to go to college? 5 -minute timer and 5 -10 minute discussion 5 0 https: //www. ed. gov/essa

Department of Education’s Mission …is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. • What do you think this means? • How does this compare and/or contrast to education at home? 5 -minute timer and 5 -10 minute discussion 5 https: //www 2. ed. gov/about/overview/mission. html 0

BREAK 15 minutes https: //www. online-stopwatch. com/eggtimercountdown/full-screen/

References • US Department of Education