A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY

The Assistant Secretary for Educational Research and Improvement serves as principal adviser to the Secretary on educational research, statistics, and practice, as well as on the dissemination of information to improve the quality of education available to all.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary assists in developing and implementing policy related to federally-supported educational research and improvement efforts. This office particularly deals with program policy and planning, management operations. It also works collaboratively with the National Educational Research Policy and Priorities Board.

The following two Staffs report to the Assistant Secretary:

Program Policy and Planning; and,
Management Operations.

Program Policy and Planning

The Program Policy and Planning Staff, headed by a Deputy Assistant Secretary, in consultation and coordination with the Assistant Secretary, the Management Operations Staff, and OERI program units, is responsible for the guidance and leadership of program policy, budget development and strategic planning for OERI.

In performing its responsibilities, the Staff:

Provides guidance and leadership for strategic planning and policy development.
Serves as a liaison with the Office of the Under Secretary, the Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs, the Office of the Chief Financial Officer and the Office of Management regarding legislation and budget affecting OERI programs and operations.
Coordinates the preparation of the Assistant Secretary's testimony for Congressional authorization, oversight and confirmation hearings.
Coordinates preparation of budget requests and implementation of enacted appropriations.
Coordinates the integration of professional development initiatives across OERI and provides research and development leadership for Department-wide collaborative efforts in this area.
Provides coordination and leadership for the program policy adviser role of the Assistant Secretary.

Management Operations

The Management Operations Staff, headed by a Deputy Assistant Secretary, in consultation and coordination with the Assistant Secretary, the Program Policy and Planning Staff, and OERI program units, is the primary catalyst for continuous management improvement and is responsible for the coordination and leadership of OERI's management functions.

In performing its responsibilities, the Staff:

Provides a leadership role in the development of strategies to implement OERI management improvement, particularly concerning vision, values and culture.

Coordinates personnel activities, including employee development, incentives, payroll liaison, the administration of the excepted appointment authority, recruitment and cooperative programs and labor-management partnership issues.

Coordinates administrative and management functions related to budget execution and financial administration, small purchases procurements, and facilities and equipment.

Develops, implements and supports management information systems to provide the organization with the data and analyses needed for making sound operational decisions.

Manages the OERI Executive Secretariat.

Last updated September 20, 1999 (smj)