In the course of refining its mission, OPE resolved to become a better gateway to the federal government for America's postsecondary education community. As part of this effort, OPE has published on the Web a Directory of Federal Programs for Postsecondary Education. The Directory is a comprehensive, single source of information on all federal programs on or relating to postsecondary education offered by all federal departments and agencies. The Directory includes more than 400 federal programs managed by more than a dozen departments and agencies, including the Department of Education.

Armed with its new mission, during the fall of 1999, the Office of Postsecondary Education began to reexamine the appropriate roles for the U.S. Department of Education and OPE in postsecondary education today and tomorrow.

First, we acknowledged that postsecondary education historically has been and must continue to be primarily the responsibility of states and the independent sector. We conceived the Agenda Project as a process for developing an agenda for the federal role in postsecondary education that respects the traditional responsibilities and authority of state and local government and of the independent and private sectors.

Then we began a process of actively seeking advice from a broad range of people and organizations with a stake in postsecondary education-college and university presidents and faculty, trade and proprietary school executives, students, parents, community members, business and technology leaders, and others interested in education.

From January to June 2000, OPE's leaders conducted "dialogue sessions" with over 75 groups representing these various constituencies, held four public meetings in different regions across the country, and established an Agenda Project Web site to solicit written comments. We asked three broad questions:

1. What are the most significant opportunities and challenges facing American postsecondary education in the next five years?
2. What are the appropriate roles for the U.S. Department of Education in postsecondary education?
3. How can the U.S. Department of Education best maintain a continuing dialogue with all those who have a stake in postsecondary education?

We were impressed with the interest in the Agenda Project and the large number of eager participants in it. We heard much about an expanded federal role, particularly in promoting access, financial support, and dissemination of best practices, and in using the "bully pulpit" in support of higher education. We heard nothing about changing the historical, fundamental roles and shared responsibilities of governments, individuals, and the private sector in education.

Through this report, OPE continues to support a focused federal role in postsecondary education. We reaffirm our faith in the ability of postsecondary institutions and the organizations that represent them; businesses; markets; communities; and others in the independent, private, and state and local government sectors to identify and address the challenges they face. At the same time, we believe that the federal government can and should support students and institutions as they strive to meet these challenges and help build partnerships among the many groups that play a role in postsecondary education.

Above all, this report is designed to continue the dialogue and promote change that builds on the past eight years of innovation and growing opportunity in postsecondary education. Based on what we have learned so far, we have offered twelve strategies to seize the opportunities before us, and more than thirty OPE actions. To seize the opportunities, we must all squarely face the tough questions of access, financing, accountability, regulatory reform, technology, teacher quality, and globalization. It is clear our universe is changing rapidly. It is equally clear we have the resources to adapt to the change. Working together, we can make a quality postsecondary education a reality for all Americans.