20 U.S.C. § 3402

Congressional declaration of purpose

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The Congress declares that the establishment of a Department of Education is in the public interest, will promote the general welfare of the United States, will help ensure that education issues receive proper treatment at the Federal level, and will enable the Federal Government to coordinate its education activities more effectively. Therefore, the purposes of this chapter are—(1) to strengthen the Federal commitment to ensuring access to equal educational opportunity for every individual;(2) to supplement and complement the efforts of States, the local school systems and other instrumentalities of the States, the private sector, public and private educational institutions, public and private nonprofit educational research institutions, community-based organizations, parents, and students to improve the quality of education;(3) to encourage the increased involvement of the public, parents, and students in Federal education programs;(4) to promote improvements in the quality and usefulness of education through federally supported research, evaluation, and sharing of information;(5) to improve the coordination of Federal education programs;(6) to improve the management and efficiency of Federal education activities, especially with respect to the process, procedures, and administrative structures for the dispersal of Federal funds, as well as the reduction of unnecessary and duplicative burdens and constraints, including unnecessary paperwork, on the recipients of Federal funds; and(7) to increase the accountability of Federal education programs to the President, the Congress, and the public.(Pub. L. 96–88, title I, § 102, Oct. 17, 1979, 93 Stat. 670.)Editorial NotesReferences in Text

This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 96–88, Oct. 17, 1979, 93 Stat. 668, known as the Department of Education Organization Act, which enacted this chapter, amended sections 928, former 929, 1102, 2390, 2711, and 3012 of this title, section 19 of Title 3, The President, sections 101, 5312, and 5314 to 5316 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, sections 2, 9, and 11 of the Inspector General Act of 1978, formerly set out in the Appendix to Title 5 (see 5 U.S.C. 402, 422, 424), section 1004 of Title 21, Food and Drugs, and sections 761b, 794c, 821, 829, 873, 879, 882, 914, and 952 of Title 29, Labor, and enacted provisions set out as notes under sections 1102 and 3401 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 3401 of this title and Tables.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 6 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1980–2025 · leading case: Am. Fed'n of Gov't Employees v. Cavazos, 721 F. Supp. 1361 (D.D.C. 1989).

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Am. Fed'n of Gov't Employees v. Cavazos, 721 F. Supp. 1361 (D.D.C. 1989). “” 20 U.S.C. § 3402 . And the Plan likewise states that The mission of the Department of Education is to ensure equal educational opportunities for all individuals; strengthen Federal support of State and local efforts to meet educational needs; encourage increased involvement of…”

Doe v. Plyler, 628 F.2d 448 (5th Cir. 1980). “But see 20 U.S.C.A. § 3402 (one of the purposes of establishing the Department of Education is “to strengthen the Federal commitment to ensuring access to equal educational opportunity for every individual ”).”

Krasil v. Betze (D.N.J. 2023). “20 U.S.C. § 3402 et seq. The New Jersey Constitution functions in a similar manner.”

Williams v. United States Dep't of Educ. (S.D. Tex. 2021). “” 20 U.S.C. §§ 3402 , 3411. The Department’s Office for Civil Rights was created to identify significant civil rights problems and to ensure compliance with relevant federal laws, such as Title IX and the Age Discrimination Act.”

Secular Student All. v. U.S. Dep't of Educ. (D.D.C. 2025). “” 20 U.S.C. § 3402 . It granted the Secretary of Education authority to supervise and direct the Department.”

Nat'l Ass'n for the Advancement of Colored People v. United States (D. Maryland 2025). “20 U.S.C. § 3402 . The Department is administered “under the supervision and direction” of the Secretary.”

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