It is common to misunderstand the position of secretary for education.
Can you name any former U.S. education secretaries? If you are like most Americans, it is unlikely that there have been many former U.S. secretaries of education. The nomination of Betsy DeVos to the post by President Trump was a huge success and attracted significant media attention. However, the actual role is often overlooked. These are five facts you may not know about the Secretary of Education and the Department of Education.
The Secretary for Education is a fairly new position that oversees small departments.
The Department of Education was created in 1980 and there was no Secretary of Education. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, then known as the Department of Education, Health, and Welfare, was responsible for education policy. The Department of Education has 4,400 employees today and operates on a budget of $68.3 billion.
Schools aren't under the direct control and supervision of the Secretary for Education
Most school governance decisions are left to the states and local school districts. The secretary to education is not a teacher or administrator. The U.S. Department of Education lists the following official duties for the department:
- Establishing and monitoring policies for federal financial assistance for education and distribution.
- Collecting and disseminating data about U.S. schools
- National attention should be directed at key education issues
- It is important to prohibit discrimination and ensure equal access for all students.
The Secretary for Education is responsible for important funding decisions in education
The federal government provides about 8% of funding for elementary and secondary education.
The Department of Education administers Pell Grants, which provide grants to students of lower and middle income. The Pell Grant program accounted for nearly one-fifth the federal student aid budget of the department in 2016. It was worth $28 billion.
The Secretary for Education supervises the investigation offices
The Department of Education can grant funds but only if the funds are properly utilized. The Office of Inspector General of this department performs independent audits of funds received by recipients suspected of fraud, abuse, or other irregularities.
The Department of Education also investigates discrimination cases. The department's civil rights officer handles these cases. This office helps to ensure students are treated equally based on their race, nationality, sexual orientation, disability, and age. Obama's administration provided guidelines to protect students of transgender identities. Title IX provisions were used to guarantee equal treatment.
The Secretary for Education has a strong bully pulse
The secretary of education has the power to influence local and state policy, despite not having direct authority over the school system. Whatever the secretary speaks about will likely be discussed by state houses and school boards. Common Core was promoted by the Obama administration as the best example. While the Department of Education didn't have the authority or power to force states to adopt Common Core standards as a matter of law, the secretary was capable of directing department's efforts to convince states of the benefits of Common Core. The standards were adopted by 42 states and District of Columbia.
An EdD degree can help you influence education.
It is not enough to be the secretary for education. Many of the best ideas and policies come from education professionals. The Doctor of Education (EdD), if you wish to be such an educator, is the best option.
An advanced education degree will give you the knowledge and skills you need to make an impact in education.
Online education is a great option if time is tight. Online universities allow you to complete your EdD degree from the comfort of your own home. You don't have to travel to campus every day. You can also earn your EdD online by being able to study at your own pace.
The Department of Education cannot be relied upon alone for our education system. To develop and implement new policies and education ideas, we need dedicated individuals. You can get an EdD online and learn the skills you need to improve American education.
