OFFICES
US Department of Education Principal Office Functional Statements
Institute of Education Sciences

Functional Statements > Institute of Education Sciences

Table of Contents

  1. Mission and Responsibilities
  2. Organization
  3. Order of Succession
  4. Functions and Responsibilities of Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Components
    1. Office of the Director
    2. National Center for Education Research (NCER)
    3. National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
    4. National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE)
    5. National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER)
    6. National Board for Education Sciences

I. Mission and Responsibilities

The Institute of Education Sciences provides national leadership in expanding fundamental knowledge and understanding of education from early childhood through postsecondary study, in order to provide parents, educators, students, researchers, policymakers, and the general public with reliable information about educational practices that support learning and improve academic achievement and access to educational opportunities for all students; the condition and progress of education in the United States; and the effectiveness of Federal and other education programs.

In carrying out its mission, the Institute conducts research, evaluation, and dissemination activities in areas of demonstrated national need, compiles statistics, and develops products. The Institute ensures that such activities conform to high standards of quality, integrity, and accuracy and that they are objective, secular, neutral, and nonideological and free of partisan political influence and racial, cultural, gender, or regional bias. The Institute:

  • Conducts and supports scientifically valid research activities, including basic research and applied research, statistics activities, scientifically valid education evaluation, development, and dissemination;
  • Disseminates widely the findings and results of scientifically valid research in education;
  • Promotes the use, development, and application of knowledge gained from scientifically valid research activities;
  • Strengthens the national capacity to conduct, develop, and disseminate scientifically valid research in education;
  • Promotes the coordination, development, and dissemination of scientifically valid research in education within the Department and the Federal Government; and
  • Promotes the use and application of research and development to improve practice in the classroom.

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II. Organization

The Institute of Education Sciences is under the supervision of the Director of the Institute, who reports to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary. The Director is also charged with working with the National Board for Education Sciences to establish priorities for the Institute and procedures for scientific peer review of the activities of the Institute. The Director provides direction, coordination, and leadership to the Office of the Director and the four National Education Centers-the National Center for Education Research, the National Center for Education Statistics, and the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, the National Center for Special Education Reseach.

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III. Order of Succession

In the event that the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences 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 Commissioner for Education Statistics shall temporarily perform the functions and duties of the office in an acting capacity.

In instances where the office is not vacant, but the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences is absent, the following officials, in the order shown, shall perform the functions and duties of the office:

Deputy Director for Administration and Policy,
Commissioner for Education Statistics,
Commissioner for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance,
Commissioner for Education Research; and
Commissioner for Special Education Research.

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Last Modified: 03/06/2007