About ED: Overview and Mission Statement

ED's mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.

ED was created in 1980 by combining offices from several federal agencies. ED's 4,400 employees and $68 billion budget are dedicated to:

  • Establishing policies on federal financial aid for education, and distributing as well as monitoring those funds.
  • Collecting data on America's schools and disseminating research.
  • Focusing national attention on key educational issues.
  • Prohibiting discrimination and ensuring equal access to education.

Contact ED staff. See performance plans and accountability reports and ED's strategic plan. Find out about ED's offices and structure. Learn about ED's mission, initiatives, senior staff, and website.

Features

Initiatives

Early learning, ESEA reauthorization, Investing in Innovation, Race to the Top, Recovery Act, and more. GO >

Political Appointees at ED

See a list of political appointees at the U.S. Department of Education. GO >

Strategic Plan

Read the draft summary of the ED strategic plan for fiscal years 2011-2014. GO >

General Inquiries

Phone numbers for ED staff and toll-free numbers for questions about NCLB, financial aid, publications, civil rights, fraud and waste, and more. GO >

2009 in Review

Read this review of the Obama Administration's education efforts in 2009. GO >

State Information and Contacts

State ed. departments and agencies, state accountability plans, state contacts, and other state information. GO >