The secretary of education leads the Department and promotes public understanding of the Department's goals and objectives. As a member of the president's cabinet, the secretary is the principal advisor to the president on federal policies, programs, and activities related to education in the United States. The secretary is nominated by the president and must be confirmed by the Senate.

The deputy secretary and the under secretary aid the secretary in the overall management of the Department. In addition, the secretary appoints an assistant secretary to oversee each of the eight program offices (see list below).

The Office of General Counsel provides legal services to the secretary and other Department officials, prepares regulatory documents, and coordinates the regulatory review process. The Office of the Inspector General audits and investigates Department programs and operations in order to detect and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.

The Office of Public Affairs supports the secretary in public information functions and in providing useful information about education and related opportunities to the media, students, parents, and communities. External relations are handled by the Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs, which serves as the Department's liaison to Congress, and the Office of Intergovernmental and Interagency Affairs, which serves as liaison to state and local agencies, as well as other federal agencies.

The Planning and Evaluation Service engages in program evaluations, strategic planning, and policy analysis and works closely with the Budget Service. Department operations are handled by the Office of Management, the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, and the Office of the Chief Information Officer.

There are eight program offices:

1. The Office of English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement for Limited English Proficient Students (www.ed.gov/offices/OELA/) administers programs designed to enable students with limited English proficiency to become proficient in English and meet challenging state academic content and student achievement standards.

2. The Office for Civil Rights (www.ed.gov/offices/OCR/) enforces federal statutes that prohibit discrimination in educational programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.

3. The Office of Educational Research and Improvement (www.ed.gov/offices/OERI/) supports research and demonstration projects to improve education; collects and analyzes education statistics; disseminates information on research findings and education statistics; and provides technical assistance to those working to improve education.

4. The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/) provides leadership, technical assistance, and financial support to state and local education agencies for the maintenance and improvement of both public and private preschool, elementary, and secondary education. OESE administers programs designed to advance the academic opportunities of the nation's neediest children.

5. The Office of Postsecondary Education (www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/) is responsible for formulating federal postsecondary education policy and administering grant programs and other initiatives that provide assistance to postsecondary education institutions for reform, innovation, and improvement. OPE is also responsible for the accrediting agency recognition process and for coordinating with the states on matters that affect institutional participation in federal financial assistance programs.

6. The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/) supports programs designed to educate children with special needs; provides for the rehabilitation of youths and adults with disabilities; and supports research to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities, regardless of age.

7. The Office of Federal Student Aid (www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/) administers the systems and products related to providing billions of dollars annually in federal financial aid to millions of students pursuing postsecondary education and training opportunities. The office provides information and forms for students applying for loans, grants, and work-study funds, as well as technical information for financial aid administrators, lending institutions, auditors, and others in the field. In 1998, this office became the first performance-based organization in the federal government, with increased accountability for results and greater flexibility in operations.

8. The Office of Vocational and Adult Education (www.ed.gov/offices/OVAE/) supports a wide range of programs and activities that prepare people for employment and that provide adults with basic skills necessary to obtain a high school diploma or the equivalent.