The U.S. Department of Education

The U.S. Department of Education establishes federal policy and administers and coordinates most federal assistance to education. It assists the president in executing education policies for the nation and in implementing laws enacted by Congress.

The Department’s mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.

For general inquires and questions about the Department of Education, please contact the U.S. Department of Education or visit Frequently Asked Questions.

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services’ (OSERS) mission is to improve early childhood, educational, and employment outcomes and to raise expectations for all people with disabilities, their families, their communities, and the nation.

In implementing this mission, OSERS supports programs that provide early-intervention services to infants and toddlers, help educate children with disabilities through special education and related services, and provide for the vocational rehabilitation of youth and adults with disabilities.

OSERS is comprised of two program offices: the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and the Rehabilitation Service Administration (RSA).

OSERS, under specific statutory authority, funds:

Office of Special Education Programs

OSEP’s mission is to lead the nation’s efforts to improve outcomes for children with disabilities, birth through 21, and their families by ensuring access to fair, equitable, and high-quality education and services.

OSEP administers the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which authorizes formula grants to states under Part B of the IDEA and to lead agencies for the infants and families program under Part C of the IDEA. The IDEA also authorizes discretionary grants under Part D to institutions of higher education and other nonprofit organizations to support grants for state personnel development, technical assistance and dissemination, technology, and parent-training and information centers.

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