APPENDIX A:

OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLABORATION WITH OTHER

FEDERAL AGENCIES

To reach our strategic goals, we must build strong partnerships and alliances
with our counterparts across the federal government. Below is a brief
overview of the highlights of some of our collaborative initiatives with
partnering agencies.

Creating a Culture of Achievement

We work closely with the Department of the Treasury to expand parental

options in education. For example, we collaborate with Treasury to promote
Coverdell Education Savings Accounts and to develop the proposed
education tax credit for children trapped in failing schools.

Improving Student Achievement

We will continue to work closely with the Department of Health and Human
Services to improve educational services to preschool children, especially
those from underserved populations. We participate with HHS in a joint
task force to translate research on early cognitive development and pre-
literacy into action through federal preschool programs. Additionally, we
participated with the Child Development and Behavior Branch of the
National Institutes of Health in a summit on early childhood cognitive
development.

We will continue to partner with the National Science Foundation to

promote improved instruction in mathematics and science, and to coordinate
our professional development programs for teachers. NSF also cooperates
with us on research and international assessments related to mathematics and
science.

Education has worked with NASA to emphasize the importance of math and
science education and the need to work more closely with our neighbors
around the world by holding live discussions between elementary school
students and astronauts aboard the International Space Station.
Education will continue to work with the Department of Defense Education
Activities team, which will better inform the Pentagon and DOD schools in
serving as a laboratory for the President’s education initiatives.

We partner with the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs to

promote equitable access to high quality, standards-driven education for all
American Indian and Alaska Native students. Additionally, we cooperate in
an interagency agreement with the Departments of Health and Human
Services and Labor to improve collaboration with Indian tribes.

Developing Safe Schools and Strong Character

Our Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Program in our Office of
Elementary and Secondary Education works in partnership with the
Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services to promote drug and
alcohol education programs and information dissemination to schools and
private organizations. We coordinate closely with the White House Office of
National Drug Control Policy. Education works closely with the Office of
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Programs to share innovative
ideas and promote prevention strategies and programs.

Transforming Education into an Evidence-Based Field

The Department of Education’s Office of Educational Research and

Improvement collaborates with other federal research agencies, such as the
National Science Foundation and the National Institute for Child Health and
Development, to support and disseminate high quality research on a number
of topics, including reading comprehensive and science education.

Enhancing the Quality of and Access to Postsecondary and Adult

Education

The Department will continue to collaborate with several federal agencies,

including Labor, on issues including adult literacy, career awareness, access
to quality postsecondary education, and school completion among students
from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. For example, we
partner with the U.S. Department of Transportation to create career
awareness in aviation at the elementary and secondary school levels and to
improve skills in math, science, technology, and computer literacy.
Establishing Management Excellence

The Department will continue to work closely with the Office of

Management and Budget, the General Account Office, and the Office of
Personnel Management to address longstanding management challenges and
establish management excellence.

To improve strategic management of the Department’s human resources, we

work with the Office of Personnel Management to develop core
competencies for our workforce, especially those in the Senior Executive
Service. The Department participates in forums with the National Academy
of Public Administration and the Human Resources Consortium on issues
such as work force planning, human capital management, and results-based
performance planning.

Education participates in electronic government initiatives with the Federal

CIO Council to better direct the strategic management of federal information
technology resources and to modernize our information technology
resources. We work with the Office of Federal Procurement Policy and the
Small Business Administration to maximize the use of performance-based
requirements in financial management, research and analysis, and
information dissemination.

The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) conducts data matches to

ensure that only eligible students receive financial aid. Agencies with whom
the Department matches applicant information include the Selective Service
System, the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the Internal Revenue
Service, and the Department of Justice. In tracking defaulters on student
loans, OSFA works with a wide range of federal agencies including the
Social Security Administration, the U.S. Postal Service, and the Departments
of Defense, Justice, Housing and Urban Development, Treasury, and Health
and Human Services.

The Department of Education and each of its program offices maintains a

close relationship with state and local educational agencies. The work of the
Department would not be possible without the advice and collaboration of
educators at the state and local levels. Secretary Paige has instituted a series
of meetings with chief state school officers to build partnerships for the
implementation of “No Child Left Behind” and other Departmental
priorities. The Secretary’s Regional Representatives maintain
communication with state and local partners on these priorities. The highly
successful Improving America’s Schools regional conferences provide an
opportunity for Department outreach to and dialogue with education
practitioners at all levels in the field of education.

The Department participates as part of the Center for Faith-Based and

Community Initiatives that includes the departments of Health and Human
Services, Justice, Housing and Urban Development and Labor and works
closely with the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community
Initiatives to improve student achievement and promote strong character and
citizenship among our nation’s youth.