B.  HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS
The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education Programs (HEP) serves as the principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education in effectively articulating, promoting, and executing its mission of equal access and excellence in postsecondary education.
The Deputy Assistant Secretary for HEP provides overall leadership for overseeing, administering, and coordinating discretionary and formula grants and contracts, and providing other services to foster excellence in higher education.  These leadership responsibilities are carried out within the framework of authorizing legislation for Federal programs designed to:

o Improve academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability; and strengthen physical plants and endowments of institutions of higher education to enable faculty and administrators to create an environment focused on excellence in teaching that permits students to achieve excellence in learning at the baccalaureate and graduate levels. 

o Identify, prepare, and facilitate access of low-income, first generation students and students with disabilities to higher education institutions and their successful completion of programs at their maximum levels of ability.

• Provides guidance, coordination, and liaison for OPE’s participation in bilateral and multilateral education activities; develops policy for, and coordinates ED’s participation in the education activities of international organizations such OECD, OAS, Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the European Community; coordinates U.S. government supported activity in all areas involving the development of American education in foreign language, area and international studies; and manages visits to ED by international educators, including providing briefings on American education, and developing itineraries for education visits in the United States.

o Provide a range of supportive services for low-income students in elementary, middle, and secondary schools including information for their parents specifically focused on ensuring access and success at institutions of higher education.

o Provide child care services for low-income parents to enable them to participate in postsecondary education.

oProvide opportunities for teachers (faculty) to receive professional development training in a variety of areas, including technology; and to provide services to faculty and administrators to assist them in providing appropriate services for students with disabilities.

o Promote excellence in foreign languages and area studies and support international education research, training, and exchange activities. and,

o Facilitate quality graduate education to address national needs. 

HEP establishes results-oriented policies and procedures governing the implementation of legislated programs.  It administers such programs to maximize performance and accountability, and evaluates the impact of programs it administers to measure their general efficiency in relation to their costs and effectiveness in achieving stated goals. HEP actively involves and works with public and private organizations (including institutions of higher education, public and private non-profit agencies and organizations, and elementary and secondary schools) to ensure maximum program effectiveness.  Working through ED, HEP reports to the President and Congress on all activities carried out under delegated authorities.

The Immediate Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary is responsible for directing and administering the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Capital Financing Program and Advisory Board and other special efforts and initiatives that are implemented by staff reporting directly to the Deputy Assistant Secretary.  Staff consists of a Senior Policy Advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary, Executive Director of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Capital Financing Program and Advisory Board, Special Assistant to the Deputy Assistant Secretary, and Administrative Assistant to the Deputy Assistant Secretary.  In addition, two staff offices, the Operations and Coordination Staff and the Accreditation and State Liaison Staff, operate out of the Immediate Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary, and reports to the Deputy Assistant Secretary. Functions and responsibilities of the staff offices are described below.

Operations and Coordination Staff

Operations and Coordination Staff (OCS) receives functional supervision and guidance through the Chief of Staff from the Deputy Assistant Secretary, HEP.  In performing its responsibilities, the Operations and Coordination Staff, through its work with the Program Areas.

• Coordinates the development of new regulations and revisions to existing regulations; proposes new legislation and/or amendments to existing legislation for programs administered by HEP.

• Develops and coordinates the preparation of the annual program budget justification for HEP and provides appropriate documentation and other data to support such requests.

• Oversees an internal HEP management coordination group responsible for developing and implementing a three to five year long-range plan and a short-term one-year plan.  These plans are designed to integrate budget, policy planning, operations analyses, and other critical service delivery information needed to enhance the forecasting ability of HEP; provide long-term vision and direction; identify and analyze options for management reviews; and determine needed changes to ongoing program policies, procedures, and oversight for Howard University.

• Ensures accountability in all efforts undertaken by monitoring the overall grants and contracts award scheduling process, including: refinement of program selection criteria; document clearances; the field reader selection systems; and reviewing procedures for the selection of program grantees.

• Coordinates with senior HEP management and members of the higher education community, identifies program performance measures and indicators in the program monitoring and information systems for use in assessing the effectiveness of HEP programs in meeting legislative and regulatory objectives; ED and Administration goals; and ensuring accountability.

• Prepares, in conjunction with other OPE and ED offices, specifications for program evaluation and program management studies; provides assistance in monitoring studies as well as in implementing recommendations.

• Reviews, for clearance purposes, publications and forms requiring HEP, ED, and OMB approval; and recommends simplification or consolidation to achieve the goals of the Paperwork Reduction Act.

• Coordinates HEP responses to audit reports from the General Accounting Office and the Office of the Inspector General, with assistance from other HEP Program Areas, and ensures follow-up.

• Serves as the focal point in HEP for allocating resources, budget and control mail operations and inquiries.  This function includes: salaries and expenses, budget requests, performance management activities, and the tracking of inquiries; and requests for other information from higher education constituents, the Congress, other Federal agencies and the Administration.

Accreditation and State Liaison Staff

The Accreditation and State Liaison Staff has the following general responsibilities:

• Develops and implements criteria appropriate for the recognition of State approval agencies, national, regional, institutional and specialized accrediting associations, agencies as reliable authorities concerning the quality of education, and training offered by postsecondary institutions or programs within their respective scopes of operation.

• Evaluates all petitions for initial recognition, renewal of recognition, and scope of recognition by accrediting bodies and State approval agencies. These petitions include reports of Department of Education (ED) experts, outside consultants, experts in the field, and third parties regarding the work of such bodies.

• Evaluates the standards and processes used by foreign countries to accredit/approve medical schools.

• Works cooperatively with officials of the State Departments of Education and licensing agencies to strengthen and advance the role of each State in granting
  authorization/licensure to postsecondary educational institutions to offer programs of instruction. 

• Advances partnerships with States for policy-making and oversight purposes.

• Coordinates communication among ED, accrediting agencies, and States to foster cooperation in dealing with problem schools.

• Conducts technical and programmatic reviews of responses to the Freedom of Information Act requests for appropriate disclosure or nondisclosure of documents.

The Accreditation and State Liaison Staff is divided into the following units:
    
State Liaison Unit; and
Accrediting Agency Evaluation Unit.

State Liaison Unit

State Liaison Unit works cooperatively with officials of the State Departments of Education, higher education coordinating boards, and State licensing agencies to promote effective gatekeeping and proper stewardship of Federal Student Aid (FSA) program funds.

In performing its responsibilities, the Unit:

• Serves as the principal catalyst for improving communication and cooperation between ED and State Departments of Education, higher education coordinating boards, and licensing agencies to provide information, technical assistance, support for the purpose of establishing and maintaining an effective system of gate keeping; acts as a catalyst for discussion among accreditors, States, and ED on cross-cutting issues such as teach-outs, consumer education, closed school records, and distance education.

• Maintains a close liaison with State licensing agencies to obtain information on institutional and program eligibility in general, and provides this information to the Case Management Teams in FSA.

• Collects, analyzes, and interprets provisions of State legislation, regulation, and administrative procedure that impact institutional participation in FSA programs; compiles information on States’ policies and practices with respect to licensing, authorization, and oversight of institutions, State tuition aid, and other issues. Compiles information on the practices of State Departments of Education higher education coordinating boards, and licensing agencies to authorize licensure and monitor postsecondary education institutions.     

• Assigns and conducts research projects and studies to provide information and guidance to ED and States regarding issues that will enhance the gatekeeping function.

• In coordination with FSA and other units as appropriate, develops strategies for the implementation and maintenance of the electronic exchange of data between ED and States to enhance the gatekeeping efforts of ED and States.

• Identifies institutional performance bonds and tuition recovery programs with State licensing agencies and accrediting agencies and coordinates these activities with those of ED; and reviews State tuition recovery plans to determine if they meet the regulatory requirements for approval by the Secretary.

Accrediting Agency Evaluation Unit

The Accrediting Agency Evaluation Unit (AAEU) administers the process whereby accrediting agencies and State approval agencies for public postsecondary vocational education and nurse education obtain initial and continued recognition by the Secretary of Education.  The Secretary is required by statute to publish a list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies and associations which the Secretary determines to be reliable authorities as to the quality of education and training offered by postsecondary institutions and programs.  The AAEU has lead responsibility, along with the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, for developing the Secretary’s policies, procedures, and recognition criteria and for carrying out the processes leading up to the Secretary’s recognition decision.  AAEU presents the Department’s analyses of agency petitions for recognition to the Advisory Committee for consideration.  In turn, the Advisory Committee makes recommendations to the Secretary on whether recognition should be granted.  In fulfilling its mission, the Advisory Committee receives logistical support and technical guidance from the AAEU.

In performing its responsibilities the Unit:

• Develops and issues criteria appropriate for the recognition of State approval agencies, national, regional, institutional and specialized accrediting associations, agencies as reliable authorities concerning the quality of education, and training offered by postsecondary institutions and programs within their respective scopes of operation.

• Develops and implements policies and procedures associated with the recognition function; articulates ED’s position during recognition hearings and hearings on adverse recognition decisions; reviews and analyzes outcomes-oriented data related to the effectiveness of accrediting agencies; and any third-party complaints where agencies are not in compliance with the Criteria for Recognition.

• Directs continuing reviews of policies and procedures related to the validity and reliability of the Criteria for Recognition.

• Provides consultative services and general information to accrediting agencies and associations, State approval agencies, individual institutions, and other Federal agencies of the activities of the Unit; and provides them with assistance in resolving their accreditation and eligibility related questions.

• Designs and implements research projects related to issues and questions growing out of accreditation and State approval-related eligibility requirements and reforms.

• Conducts on-site reviews of accrediting agencies; observes agencies in the process of conducting on-site accreditation visits on institutions; and observes accrediting agencies decision-making activities.

• Reviews annual reports of recognized agencies and interim reports required by agencies. Monitors recognized accrediting agencies for continued compliance with the Criteria for Recognition throughout their recognition period.

• Evaluates the standards used by foreign countries to accredit/approve medical schools for comparability with those used to evaluate programs leading to the M.D. degree in the United States.

• Analyzes applications of Federal agencies and institutions seeking degree-granting authority.
• Maintains a close liaison with accrediting agencies to obtain information on institutional and program eligibility, and provides this information to the case management teams in FSA.

• Publishes the official list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies.      

In addition to the Operation and Coordination Staff office and the Accreditation and State Liaison Staff, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education Programs also provides overall direction, supervision, coordination, and leadership to five major Program Areas:

Higher Education Preparation and Support Service,

Institutional Development and Undergraduate Education Service,

International Education Programs Service,

Teacher and Student Development Programs Service and,

Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education.

The responsibilities of each Program Area are as follows:

HIGHER EDUCATION PREPARATIONAND SUPPORT SERVICE


A Director heads the Higher Education Preparation and Support Service (HEPSS) and reports to the Deputy Assistant Secretary.  The Director is responsible for the overall management of activities within the HEPSS, coordinating with other HEP entities to ensure appropriate integration of interrelated functions and activities, and providing leadership to all components of HEPSS, as well as to the higher education community. The HEPSS performs planning, program development, and grant administration functions for the national TRIO programs, the Child Care Access Means Parents in School program, and the Thurgood Marshall Legal Educational Opportunity program.   

The HEPSS defines and articulates program goals and objectives; identifies and implements policy changes needed to achieve goals and objectives; evaluates program effectiveness; develops and updates policy manuals, program regulations, and proposed legislative amendments; prepares program budget request; and prepares an annual funding schedule and funding strategy, incorporating the Secretary's goals and objectives where applicable; develops funding criteria and funding priorities for publication in the Federal Register, and manages the application review and awards process for programs administered by the HEPSS. Functions include assigned responsibilities relative to e-Grants and e-Reader and related processes and all other functions necessary for the administration and monitoring of new and continuation awards.

The HEPSS performs the functions of HEP development and implementation as they relate to the following programs:

Child Care Access Means Parents in School
Educational Opportunity Centers
Evaluation and Grants for Project Improvement and Dissemination Partnership Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement
Staff Development Activities (Training Program)
Student Support Services
Talent Search
Thurgood Marshall Legal Educational Opportunity (Title VII, Subpart 3)
Upward Bound Math/Science
Upward Bound

The Immediate Office of the Director of the HEPSS provides overall direction and coordination to the following teams:
Program Management and Development Team
College and University Preparation Team
College and University Support Team

Program Management and Development Team

The Program Management and Development Team, in collaboration with the College and University Preparation Team and the College and University Support Team, is responsible for program planning and implementing of policy and procedures, including: the initiation and revision of regulations; developing and reviewing legislative proposals; and preparing an annual report for each program administered by HEPSS.  In addition, the Program Management and Development Team is responsible for managing and maintaining the HEPSS’ input into the HEP Computer Data system; defining statistical analysis needed; sampling techniques; research design; determining program data requirements for analysis of specific program trends and reporting needs; developing and generating reports on HEPSS programs; and maintaining an application tracking system for HEPSS programs for funded and non-funded applicants. This team works closely with the office of the Director of HEPSS.

College and University Preparation Team

The College and University Preparation Team is responsible for planning, implementing, and managing the awards process for new applicants and non-competing continuation grantees for: Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math/Science, Educational Opportunity Centers, and Talent Search programs administered by the HEPSS.  Functions include: the development of the grant/technical review operation; design and approval of required forms; and review of applications by external readers and staff and selection of recipients. The team provides overall management of ongoing projects to ascertain adherence to regulations, policies, and procedures as well as technical assistance to funded grantees/contractors and to potential applicants for grant funding.

College and University Support Team

The College and University Support Team is responsible for planning, implementing and managing the awards process for new applicants and non-competing continuation grants for the Student Support Services Program, the McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program, the TRIO Training Program, the Evaluation and Grants for Project Improvement and Dissemination Partnerships Projects, the Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools Programs (Title IV, Part A, Subpart 7), and the Thurgood Marshall Legal Educational Opportunity Program. Functions include the development of the grant/technical review operation; design and approval of required forms; and review of applications by external readers and staff and selection of recipients. This team provides overall management of ongoing projects to ascertain adherence to regulations, policies, and procedures as well as technical assistance to funded grantees/contractors and to potential applicants for grant funding.

INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION SERVICE 

The Institutional Development and Undergraduate Education Service (IDUES) is headed by a Director who reports to the Deputy Assistant Secretary, and is responsible for the overall management of activities.  The Director coordinates with other Program Areas in HEP to ensure appropriate integration of interrelated functions and activities, and provides leadership to all components of the Program Area as well as to the higher education community.

The Immediate Office of the Director is responsible for managing and maintaining program input into the HEP Computer Data system; defining statistical analysis, sampling techniques, and research design; determining program data requirements for analysis of specific program trends and reporting needs; developing and generating reports on Institutional Development and Undergraduate Education Programs; maintaining an application tracking system for funded and non-funded applicants; overseeing the awarding of grants under the Robert C. Byrd Scholarship Program; and the monitoring of functions for the Paul C. Douglas Teacher Scholarships.

The IDUES defines and articulates program goals and objectives; identifies and implements policy changes needed to achieve goals and objectives; evaluates program effectiveness; develops and updates policy manuals, program regulations, proposed legislative amendments; prepares program budget request; and in conjunction with the Deputy Assistant Secretary's office, prepares an annual funding schedule and funding strategy, incorporating the goals and objectives of the Secretary, where applicable; develops funding criteria, and funding priorities for publication in the Federal Register, and manages the application review and awards process for programs administered..   Functions also include assigned responsibilities relative to e-Grants and e-Reader and related processes and all other functions necessary for the administration and monitoring of new and continuation awards with implementation by each team.

The IDUES performs the functions of development and implementation as they relate to the following programs:
College Housing and Academic Facilities Loans and Interest
Subsidy Grants (Title VII, Higher Education Act, as amended, Title V Housing Act of 1950)    
Developing Hispanic- Serving Institutions (Title V)
Endowment Challenge Grant (Title III, Part C, Post 1998)
Endowment Challenge Grant (Title III, Part C, Pre 1998)
Minority Science and Engineering Improvement (Title III, Part E)
Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarships
Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Title III, Part B)
Strengthening Historically Black Graduate Institutions (Title III, Part B)
Strengthening Institutions (Title III, Part A)
The Immediate Office of the Director provides overall direction and coordination to the following teams:
Strengthening Institutions Team A
Strengthening Institutions Team B
Strengthening Institutions Team C

Strengthening Institutions Team A

The Strengthening Institutions Team A is responsible for planning, implementing and managing the awards process for new applicants and non-competing continuation grantees for the following programs:

B. J. Stupak Olympic Scholarships (Title VIII, Part G, HEA)
Endowment Challenge Grant Program (Post 1998)
Endowment Challenge Grant Program (Pre 1998)
Strengthening Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions
Strengthening American Indian Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities
Strengthening Institutions (Title III, Part A, Section 312)

Functions of the team include:
the development of the grant and technical review operations; design and approval of required forms; and review of applications by external readers and staff and selection of recipients. The team provides overall management of ongoing projects to ascertain adherence to regulations, policies and procedures, as well as, provides technical assistance to funded grantees/contractors and to potential applicants for grant funding.  The team also plans and implements the annual designation of eligibility process for institutions under Title IIIA and Title V of the Higher Education Act.

In addition, duties for the Strengthening Institutions Team A include:

• Developing and justifying proposed amendments to existing legislation or new legislative initiatives for its programs, and preparing supporting documentation, issue papers, and justification for legislative changes as required for the clearance process.

• Analyzing impact of proposed legislative amendments initiated by other components of ED, other Federal agencies and the Congress on programs.

• Assessing the need for and developing specific program regulations to address policy recommendations or changes needed to comply with legislative intent or management improvement.

• Analyzing, reviewing, and preparing responses to public comments on regulations and recommending revisions to proposed regulations, as appropriate.

• Preparing rationales and developing justification for publication of regulations; preparing necessary materials for clearance of regulatory packages through HEP, OPE, ED and OMB; and preparing and clearing approved regulatory changes for publication in the Federal Register. Providing authoritative interpretation of program policies, procedures and regulations for program constituent groups, project managers, and other offices in ED, other Federal agencies and the Congress.

• Preparing program budget requests, including analyses of impact on program effectiveness at various funding levels.

• Developing funding criteria and funding priorities for its programs, incorporating the goals and priorities of the Secretary, where applicable.

• Managing the long-term grants awarded pre 1998 under the Endowment Challenge Grant Program (Title III), including providing technical assistance to grantees.

• Managing the grants awarded post 1998 under the Endowment Challenge Grant Program (Title III), including providing technical assistance.

• Managing the B.J. Stupak Olympic Scholarships (HEA 1992 Amendments, Section 1543).

Strengthening Institutions Team B
The Strengthening Institutions Team B is responsible for planning, implementing and managing the awards process for new applicants and non-competing continuation grantees for the following programs:

Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Historically Black Graduate Institutions
Minority Science and Engineering Improvement
These functions include: the development of the grant/technical review operation; design and approval of required forms; review of applications by external readers and staff and selection of recipients. The teams provide overall management of ongoing projects to ascertain adherence to regulations, policies and procedures, as well as, provide technical assistance to funded grantees/contractors and to potential applicants for grant funding.

In addition, duties for the Strengthening Institutions Team B include:

• Developing and justifying proposed amendments to existing legislation or new legislative initiatives for its programs; preparing supporting documentation, issue papers, and justification for legislative changes as required for the clearance process.

• Analyzing the impact of proposed legislative amendments initiated by other components of ED, other Federal agencies and the Congress.

• Assessing the need for and developing specific program regulations to address policy recommendations or changes needed to comply with legislative intent or management improvement.

• Analyzing, reviewing, and preparing responses to public comments on regulations, and recommending revisions to proposed regulations as appropriate.  Preparing rationales and developing justification for publication of regulations, required materials for clearance of regulatory packages through HEP, OPE, ED, and OMB, and clearing approved regulatory changes for publication in the Federal Register.

• Providing authoritative interpretation of program policies, procedures, and regulations for program constituent groups, project managers and other offices in ED, other Federal agencies and the Congress.

• Preparing program budget requests, including analyses of impact on program effectiveness at various funding levels.

• Developing funding criteria and funding priorities for its programs, incorporating goals and priorities of the Secretary, where applicable.

Strengthening Institutions Team C
The Strengthening Institutions Team C is responsible for planning, implementing and managing the awards process for new applicants and non-competing continuation grantees for Hispanic Serving Institutions under Title V of the Higher Education Act and the College Housing and Academic Facilities Loan Program and Annual Interest Grant Program in Section 121 of the 1998 Amendments to the Higher Education Act. 

In addition, duties for the Strengthening Institutions Team C include:

• Developing and justifying proposed amendments to existing legislation or new legislative initiatives for programs; preparing supporting documentation, issue papers, and justification for legislative changes as required for the clearance process.
• Analyzing the impact of proposed legislative amendments initiated by other components of ED, other Federal agencies and the Congress.
• Assessing the need for and developing specific program regulations to address policy recommendations or changes needed to comply with legislative intent or management improvement.
• Analyzing, reviewing and preparing responses to public comments on regulations and recommending revisions to proposed regulations as appropriate.
• Preparing rationales and developing justification for publication of regulations; preparing necessary materials for clearance of regulatory packages through HEP, OPE, ED, and OMB. Prepares and clears approved regulatory changes for publication in the Federal Register.
• Providing authoritative interpretation of program policies, procedures and regulations for program constituent groups, project managers and other offices in ED, other Federal agencies and the Congress.
• Preparing program budget requests, including analyses of impact on program effectiveness at various funding levels.
• Developing funding criteria and funding priorities for its programs, incorporating the goals and priorities of the Secretary where applicable.
• Managing and collecting of payments on long-term construction loans to institutions made under Title VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS SERVICE
The International Education Programs Service (IEPS) is headed by a Director, who reports to the Deputy Assistant Secretary and is responsible for the overall management of activities within the Program Area. The Director coordinates with other services in HEP to ensure appropriate integration of interrelated functions and activities, and provides leadership to all components of the Program Area, including the higher education community.

  The International Education Programs Service performs planning, policy development, and grant administration functions for the Domestic International Education Programs, Title VI, HEA and Overseas Programs authorized by the Fulbright -Hays Act.  

The IEPS defines and articulates program goals and objectives; identifies and implements policy changes needed to achieve goals and objectives; evaluates program effectiveness; develops and updates policy manuals; program regulations; proposed legislative amendments; prepares program budget request; and in conjunction with the Deputy Assistant Secretary's office, prepares an annual funding schedule and funding strategy, incorporating the goals and objectives of the Secretary, where applicable; develops funding criteria and funding priorities for publication in the Federal Register, and manages the application review and awards process for programs administered by the IEPS.  

Functions include assigned responsibilities relative to e-Grants and e-Reader and related processes and all other functions necessary for the administration and monitoring of new and continuation awards.

The Immediate Office of the Director, IEPS provides overall direction and coordination to the following teams:

Advanced Training and Research Team
International Studies Team
The programs administered by the Advanced Training and Research Team include the following:
National Resource Centers
Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships
International Research and Studies
Language Resource Centers
American Overseas Research Centers
Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad
Faculty Research Abroad 
The programs administered by the International Studies Team include the following:
Centers for International Business Education
Business and International Education
Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language
Institute for International Public Policy
Group Projects Abroad
Seminars Abroad/Special Bilateral
Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information Access

The IEPS Teams are responsible for performing the full range of activities related to program development, implementing, data gathering and analysis for the programs in their respective areas. Staff will participate in the implementation of the programs assigned to the teams, using their specialized knowledge and skills in areas where such backgrounds are required, as well as conduct program planning and development and data gathering and analysis activities for a variety of programs in their areas. Staff works in cross-team assignments on a variety of program planning and development, implementation, and analysis assignments and activities designed to ensure maximum coordination and utilization of IEPS’ resources. As appropriate, ad hoc teams of staff members drawn from the teams will work together to plan and carry out tasks such as regulations revisions, application forms approval, technical workshops, budget development, the annual plan, data gathering, and analysis.

In addition to program planning and development of policy and procedures, including the initiation and revision of regulations, the teams are responsible for developing and reviewing legislative proposals and the annual report for each program administered.

Additionally, the teams are responsible for planning, implementing, and managing the awards process for new and non-competing applicants for programs administered. Functions include the development of the grant/technical review operation; design and approval of required forms; review of applications by external readers and staff and selection of recipients. Provides overall management of ongoing projects to ascertain adherence to regulations, policies, and procedures; provides technical assistance to funded grantees/contractors and to potential applicants for grant funding.

Selected staff on each team are responsible for managing and maintaining program input into the HEP Computer Data system; defining statistical analysis needed sampling techniques, and research design; determining program data requirements for analysis of specific program trends and reporting needs; developing and generating reports on programs; maintaining an application tracking system for funded and non-funded applicants; and performing activities associated with the close-out of grant programs.

TEACHER AND STUDENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS SERVICE

The Teacher and Student Development Programs Service (TSDPS) is headed by a Director who reports to the Deputy Assistant Secretary, and is responsible for the overall management of activities within the Program Area.  The Director coordinates with other services in HEP to ensure appropriate integration of interrelated functions and activities and provides leadership to all components of the Program Area, including the higher education community. 

The TSDPS performs planning, policy development, and grant administration functions for Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants for States and Partnerships, Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology, Demonstration Projects to Ensure Students with Disabilities Receive a Higher Education, the Graduate Fellowships Programs (Title VII, Part A, HEA); and the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs.

The TSDPS defines and articulates program goals and objectives; identifies and implements policy changes needed to achieve goals and objectives; evaluates program effectiveness; develops and updates policy manuals; develops program regulations; proposes legislative amendments; prepares program budget request; and in conjunction with the Deputy Assistant Secretary's office, prepares an annual funding schedule and funding strategy, incorporating the goals and objectives of the Secretary where applicable; develops funding criteria and funding priorities for publication in the Federal Register; and manages the application review and awards process for programs administered by Professional Development Programs.  Functions include: assigned responsibilities relative to e-Grants and e-Reader, related processes, and all other functions necessary for the administration and monitoring of new and continuation awards.

The Immediate Office of the Director provides overall direction and coordination to the following teams:
Teacher Preparation Team
Graduate Fellowship Team 
Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEARUP) Team.

The Teacher Preparation Team is responsible for performing development and implementation for the following programs:

Teacher Quality Enhancements Grants for States and Partnerships
Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers to Use Technology
Demonstration Projects to Ensure Students with Disabilities Receive a Quality Higher Education Program

The Graduate Fellowship Team is responsible for performing development and implementation for the following programs:

Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need Program
Jacob Javits Fellowship Program and Advisory Board

The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs Team is responsible for performing development and implementation for the following program:

Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs
The team is responsible for performing the full range of activities related to program development, implementing and data gathering and analysis.  Staff will work across program assignments on a variety of program planning and development, implementation, and analysis assignments and activities designed to ensure maximum coordination and utilization of Service Area resources.  As appropriate, ad hoc teams of staff members work together to plan and carry out tasks such as regulations revisions, application forms approval, technical workshops, budget development, the annual plan, and data gathering analysis.
In addition to program planning and development of policy and procedures, including the initiation and revision of regulations, the team is responsible for developing and reviewing legislative proposals and the annual report for each program administered by the TSDPS.
 
The team is responsible for planning, implementing, and managing the awards process for new and non-competing applicants for programs administered by the each respective team.  Functions include the development of grant/technical review operation; design and approval of required forms; review of applications by external readers and staff and selection of recipients; providing overall management of ongoing projects to ascertain adherence to regulations, policies, and procedures; and providing technical assistance to funded grantees/contractors and to potential applicants for grant funding.

Staff are also responsible for managing and maintaining the TSDPS’ input into the HEP Computer Data system; defining statistical analysis needed, sampling techniques, and research design; determining program data requirements for analysis of specific program trends and reporting needs; developing and generating reports on programs; maintaining an application tracking system for funded and non-funded applicants; and performing activities associated with the close-out of grant programs.

FUND FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

The Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) is headed by the Director, who reports directly to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education Programs.  An advisory body, the National Board, provides policy advice to the Secretary and the Director on the priorities and operation of FIPSE.

FIPSE was established by the Education Amendments of 1972 to improve postsecondary educational opportunities by providing assistance to education institutions and agencies for a broad range of reforms and innovations.  Congress identified eight broad purposes for which contracts and grants may be awarded under Part A. Subpart I of Title X of the Higher Education Act. 

These purposes are for:

• Encouraging the reform, innovation, and improvement of postsecondary education and providing equal educational opportunities for all.

• Creating institutions and programs involving new paths to career and professional training and new combinations of academic and experiential learning.

• Establishing institutions and programs based on the technology of  

communications.  Carrying out in postsecondary educational institutions of changes in internal structure and operations designed to clarify institutional   priorities and purposes.

• Designing and introducing cost-effective methods of instruction and operation.

• Introducing institutional reforms designed to expand individual opportunities for entering and reentering institutions and pursuing programs of study tailored to individual needs.

• Introducing reforms in graduate education, in the structure of   

academic professions and in the recruitment and retention of faculties

• Creating new institutions and programs for examining and awarding credentials to individuals and introducing reforms in current institutional practices related thereto.

Under Part A. Subpart 2 of Title X of the Higher Education Act, Congress authorized grants for innovative projects concerning one or more areas of particular national need identified by the director.  Congress specified that areas of national need should initially include, but not limited to, the following: (1) international exchanges, (2) campus climate and culture, and (3) evaluation and dissemination.

Under Part B-1 of Title XI, HEA, FIPSE, also administers the Innovative Projects for Community Service Program, which awards grants to support innovative projects that encourage college student participation in community service activities.