Functional Statements > Office of Vocational and Adult Education

I. Mission and Responsibilities

II. Organization

III. Order of Succession

IV. Functions and Responsibilities of OVAE Components

A. Immediate Office of the Assistant Secretary

B. Adult Education and Literacy Division

C. Academic and Technical Education Division

V. Primary Delegations of Authority

I. MISSION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Assistant Secretary for Vocational and Adult Education (Assistant Secretary) serves as the principal adviser to the Secretary on Departmental matters related to high school, career technical and adult education and life long learning as well as community colleges, workforce and economic development. The Assistant Secretary represents the Department at national and international meetings related to vocational and adult education. The Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) administers, coordinates, and recommends policy for improving quality and excellence of programs that are designed to:

• Prepare students for postsecondary education and careers through strong high school programs and career and technical education.
• Provide opportunities to adults to increase their literacy skills.
• Promote identification and dissemination of effective practice in raising student achievement in high schools, community colleges and adult education programs, and lead targeted research investments.
• Promote collaboration, coordination and communication among the Department, states, local agencies, and organizations to ensure that programs and activities prepare youth and adults for postsecondary education and high-skill, high-wage, or high-demand occupations in current or emerging professions.
• Insure the equal access of minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and disadvantaged persons to careers and technical education and adult education.
• Insure that career and technical education students are held to the same challenging academic content and academic achievement standards established by the state under No Child Left Behind (NCLB).
• Promote the implementation of education technology, as it applies to access and service delivery, as well as instructional methodology.

II. ORGANIZATION

The Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) is under the supervision of the Assistant Secretary who reports directly to the Secretary through the Under Secretary. The Immediate Office of the Assistant Secretary provides overall direction, coordination, and leadership to the following divisions:

• Adult Education and Literacy Division
• Academic and Technical Education Division

In addition, two staff offices - the Administrative Staff and the Policy, Research and Evaluation Staff report directly to the Office of the Assistant Secretary.

In addition, OVAE has external relationships and responsibilities on special projects and task force groups, working with other Federal agencies to accomplish OVAE’s mission and responsibilities, as described above.

III. ORDER OF SUCCESSION

In the event that theAssistant Secretary 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 Vocational and Adult 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
• Executive Officer
• Chief of Staff.