Welcome!

Thank you for visiting the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) Website. It is our desire to provide you with useful and timely information that will enhance your knowledge of elementary and secondary education programs and issues. Your questions and comments are always welcome.

Mission and Responsibilities

The mission of the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education is to promote academic excellence, enhance educational opportunities and equity for all of America's children and families, and to improve the quality of teaching and learning by providing leadership, technical assistance and financial support.

The Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education serves as principal adviser to the Secretary of Education on all matters related to elementary and elementary and secondary education. The Office is responsible for directing, coordinating, and recommending policy for programs designed to:

• Assist State and local educational agencies to improve the achievement of preschool, elementary, and secondary school students.

• Help ensure equal access to services leading to such improvement for all children, particularly children with high needs, such as those who are from low-income families or otherwise in need of special assistance and support, including children who have disabilities or developmental delays or are educationally disadvantaged, English Learners, Native American, migrant, homeless, or in foster care.

• Foster educational improvement at the State and local levels.

• Provide financial assistance to local educational agencies whose local revenues are affected by Federal activities.

OESE Archived Information and Reading Room