Office of Communications and Outreach
Functional Statements > Office of Communications and Outreach
E. Communication Services
The Communication Services unit oversees plans, and coordinates efforts to inform and engage the Department's constituencies and the general public about the Department's programs and its school improvement agenda. The unit employs a variety of communications methods and strategies, including publications; television, satellite and video productions; webcasts; the management of conferences and special events; and the Information Resource Center (1-800-USA-LEARN); and a variety of programs that recognize excellent schools and students. The unit also provides technical advice and support to the Secretary and other Department offices for the creation of publications, videos, etc. The unit is also responsible for managing a program of internal communications for Department of Education employees.
The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Communication Services is also responsible for:
- Information Resources Center
- Events Team
- Recognition Programs Team
- Creative Services Team
- Editorial Policy, Publications and Printing Team
The group coordinates and operates a citizen contact center to provide access to information, referrals, and in-depth assistance on all aspects of Federal education law and policy as well as nationally focused Departmental initiatives. Services are provided via a toll-free telephone number (1-800-USA LEARN), email, and written correspondence. The Center provides regular feedback to senior officers concerning citizen contacts and also manages the ED locator and ensures that it is an effective service to the general public and the Department.
The group provides a full range of events management services, including event planning, venue selection, transportation, logistics, on-site registration, etc. to create high-quality, cost-effective conferences and meetings to communicate national education priorities and explain the Department’s programs and policies.
The group plans and coordinates the Department's major recognition programs for schools and students nationwide. The programs honor achievement as they facilitate communication and sharing of best practices within and among schools and the public. Included are the No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools program; Presidential Scholars Program; and the President's Education Awards Program. This unit also has management authority over various internal events including Commemorative and Heritage programs. This unit also plays a key role working with the Department's outside organizations such as the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Middle School Principals Association, and others.
Creative Services Team develops, manages, and staffs a variety of long-term and short-term communications efforts. Ongoing projects include updating and publishing the English and Spanish editions of the multi-volume Helping Your Child series of publications and producing the Department of Education's live, monthly television program, Education News Parents Can Use, available to the general public around the nation via broadcast, cable and satellite distribution. The unit also is responsible for one-time, fast-turnaround communications and outreach efforts, such as the creation of new publications, videos, satellite conferences, and webcasts. This work is conducted with the unit's staff resources, by creating and managing cross-OIIA and cross -Departmental teams, and, when necessary, with contract support.
Editorial Policy, Publications and Printing Team
The Editorial Policy, Publications and Printing Team is responsible for, among other things, reviewing ED’s written communications and materials, including speeches before their release—correcting problems of style, grammar, sense, etc., and developing and ensuring conformance with the Department’s editorial policies. Additionally, the team provides other services necessary for publishing, such as design and layout and printing liaison with GPO. The office administers a publication control system.
Editorial Policy, Publications and Printing is responsible for administering monitoring, and performing editorial and printing functions for OCO.
In performing its responsibilities, Editorial Policy, Publications and Printing:
- Develops and writes effective, well-researched products that articulate complex agency policies, programs, and/or research findings for a variety of audiences.
- Clears articles and speeches prepared as an official assignment by ED employees to ensure a coordinated public presentation of Department policy.
- Reviews publications for conformance to ED policies and standards, and provides support to other Department offices as requested.
- Reviews production request for manuscripts to ensure that they conform with established criteria.
- Edits, designs, and prepares manuscripts for production in consultation with authors.
- Approves orders for camera-ready or typeset printing.
- Clears finished (off-the-press) publications and relays them for distribution.
- Assists in the preparation of the Secretary’s Annual Report to the President and the Congress.
- Provides printing management policies and support to ED.
- Serves as technical printing management advisor to program officials with ED and maintains liaison and the Government Printing Office (GPO), the Joint Congressional Committee on Printing, and the National Archives and Records Administration.
- Assures implementation of Title 44 of the U.S. Code and assures that complex printing and binding regulations are followed by ED.
- Serves as the point of receipt and certification for all printed materials ordered, and for the billing of these services.
- Prepares all Joint Committee on Printing reports on commercial printing.
- Ensures that proper printing clearance procedures and policies are developed for proper review and concurrence on all public dissemination projects.
- Provides audiovisual, photographic, graphics and design, and exhibit services for the Office of the Secretary and other Department offices as requested. Ensures consistency in design and format of Department publications.
- Manages the displays of information material used in ED’s kiosks, bulletin boards, television monitors and other information dissemination equipment.
- Provides information and publications in various alternative formats to ensure that all ED programs and activities are accessible to individuals with disabilities as required by law, regulation, and Department policy.
- Manages translations for the Department of all written material, including material for the Web.
- Manages the Publications and Audiovisual Products Review System, which is the concept-stage review required of all publications.
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