Functional Statements > Office of Elementary and Secondary Education

Sections

1. Mission and Responsibilities
2. Organization
3. Order of Succession
4. Functions and Responsibilities of OESE Components
   1. Immediate Office of the Assistant Secretary
   2. Academic Improvement and Teacher Quality Programs
   3. Student Achievement and School Accountability Programs
   4. Office of Early Learning
   5. Office of School Turnaround
   6. Impact Aid Programs
   7. School Support and Rural Programs
   8. Office of Migrant Education
   9. Office of Indian Education
   10. Office of Safe and Healthy Students
5. Primary Delegations of Authority

I. Mission and Responsibilities

The Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education serves as principal adviser to the Secretary on all matters related to elementary and secondary education. The Office directs, coordinates, and recommends policy for programs designed to:

• Assist State and local educational agencies to improve the academic achievement of early childhood, elementary and secondary students and to assure equal access to services leading to such improvement for all children, particularly children who are economically disadvantaged, Limited English Proficient, Native American/Alaskan Native, children who live in rural areas, and children of migrant workers.
• Provide financial assistance to States to assist with comprehensive education reform efforts at State, local district, and school levels.
• Assist States and local school districts in improving the health, social, emotional, and cognitive outcomes for all children, especially children with high needs, from birth through third grade so that more children enter kindergarten ready to succeed in school and continue on track to be college and career ready.
• Assist States and local school districts turn around the lowest performing schools.
• Assist elementary and secondary teachers in improving the effectiveness of their teaching.
• Strengthen the management capabilities of State educational agency personnel and foster educational improvement at the State and local levels.
• Provide financial assistance to local educational agencies whose local revenues are affected by Federal activity.
• Provide financial assistance for drug and violence prevention activities; activities that promote the health and well being of students in elementary and secondary schools, and institutions of higher education; and school preparedness activities.
• Assist State and local educational agencies in the process of school desegregation.

TOP

II. Organization

The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education is under the supervision of the Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, who reports to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary. The Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education provides overall direction, coordination, and leadership to the following major elements:

• Academic Improvement and Teacher Quality Programs;
• Student Achievement and School Accountability Programs;
• Office of Early Learning
• Office of School Turnaround
• Impact Aid Programs;
• School Support and Rural Programs;
• Office of Migrant Education;
• Office of Indian Education; and
• Office of Safe and Healthy Students

TOP

III. Order of Succession

In the event that the Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education dies, resigns, or is otherwise unable to perform the functions and duties of the office, and the office is thereby deemed to be vacant, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Strategic Initiatives shall temporarily perform the functions and duties of the office in an acting capacity. 
In instances where the office is not vacant, but the Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education is absent, the following officials, in the order shown, shall perform the functions and duties of the office: 

• Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Strategic Initiatives
• Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and State Technical Assistance
• Deputy Assistant Secretary for Management and Planning

TOP