Department of Education

Written By Jonathan Milner

Definition

The mission of the U.S. Department of Education (ED) is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access for students of all ages. To do this, the Department oversees research on most aspects of education; collects data on trends; and gathers information to help identify best practices in education, including teaching techniques that work. The United States Department of Education is a cabinet-level department of the United States government. It began operating on May 4, 1980, having been created by President Jimmy Carter and signed into law on October 17, 1979. The Department of Education is administered by the United States secretary of education who is currently Miguel Cardona. It has 4,400 employees – the smallest staff of the Cabinet agencies – and a 2024 budget of $238 billion. The Department of Education distributes funds to students, state and local educational agencies, and community-based organizations. It also administers the Federal Pell Grant program and determines eligibility for grants and loans through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). While the Department of Education carries out many important tasks, most education spending and oversight comes from the local and state levels. On a video posted to social media in October 2023 where he laid out his vision for education, Donald Trump said, "One other thing I'll be doing very early in the administration is closing up the Department of Education in Washington D.C., and sending all education and education work and needs back to the states,"

I asked AI to write a sonnet about the U.S. Department of Education. Here’s what they came up with:

In halls of learning, policies they weave,
The Department's hand, in schools' domain.
A guiding light, or shadows they conceive?
Debate's refrain, a constant, weary strain.

Standards rise, yet funding's ebb and flow,
A nation's youth, their futures in the scale.
Curriculum shifts, where knowledge seeds should grow,
A teacher's heart, a burdened, earnest sail.

Oh, Education's ship, on troubled seas,
Where politics and progress intertwine.
A quest for equity, a fervent plea,
To bridge the gaps, where opportunity's line.

May wisdom guide, and voices find their might,
As learning's flame ignites a future bright.

Example

 
 

Questions

  1. What is the Department of Education?

  2. Who is the current head of the Department of Education?

  3. Who appoints the secretary of Education?

  4. What is the relationship between the Department of Education and the legislative branch?

  5. The Department of education administers Pell grants and sends funds to universities, and schools. How does Department of Education policy effect you?

  6. What emoji would do a good job of expressing the concept of the Department of Education?

  7. How does federalism impact educational policy in the U.S.?

  8. Do you agree with Donald Trump that the Department of Education should be shut down?

Remember!

Now, let’s commit this term to our long-term memory. On a scrap piece of paper, take 10 or 20 seconds to draw Department of Education! Draw with symbols or stick figures if you wish. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. No one else will see this but you. Look at your drawing. That’s all - now it’s downloaded into your memory. Destroy the piece of paper in a most delightful way.

Further Review

High Five AP Government & Politics Exam Review Updated for 2025
$18.00

Prepare for the 2025 AP® US Government Exam with High Five! Our Exam Review guide is completely redesigned and updated with over 140 pages of great AP Exam review material. Tons of completed graphic organizers are full of information to get you exam-ready in a flash.

This 2025 exam guide is an instant download and contains all the following resources.

  • Overview of the U.S. Government and Politics exam. 

  • Completed graphic organizers for all required documents + Supreme Court cases. 

  • Guide to the skills and content for all 5 course units. 

  • Essential vocabulary with link to online glossary.

  • Tons of Graphic Organizers with answers from each course unit.

  • GoPo Pro Tips and checklists.

  • Exam review Guides.

  • Amazing AI generated images of the Framers of the Constitution giving high fives!

  • Full Length AP multiple choice + Free Response Exam with Key.

AP ® is a trademark registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this site or product.

GoPoPro does not offer credit or grades for our classes or products.

PREVIEW HIGH FIVE NOW

Civics and AP Government Glossary

Jonathan Milner

Civics Maven!

https://www.gopopro.com/
Previous

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Next

Pardon