Secretary of Education
Executive orders directing the Secretary of Education · 50 in Obama · 181 all terms.
Related departments
Orders
50 shown · Obama
Continuing To Expand Opportunity for All Young People
This memorandum amends a 2014 Obama-era initiative by renaming the 'My Brother's Keeper' program to the 'Task Force on Improving the Lives of Boys and Young Men of Color and Underserved Youth,' expanding its membership to include 23 specified agency heads and officials, adding reporting requirements including annual status reports and biennial reviews, and broadening the scope to explicitly include 'underserved youth' alongside boys and young men of color.
Establishing a Community Solutions Council
This executive order establishes a new Community Solutions Council to coordinate federal community investment programs across agencies, replacing two prior Obama-era councils. The Council is led by two Co-Chairs (one from the White House/OMB, one rotating among eight major agencies every four years) and includes 34+ members spanning nearly the entire Cabinet and key White House offices. It builds on existing place-based initiatives like Promise Zones and StrikeForce, with a mandate to foster interagency collaboration, scale evidence-based practices, and center locally led visions in federal policymaking.
Promoting Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Formerly Incarcerated Individuals
This memorandum establishes a Federal Interagency Reentry Council co-chaired by the Attorney General and the White House Domestic Policy Council Director to coordinate federal efforts reducing recidivism and removing barriers to employment, housing, and reintegration for formerly incarcerated individuals. It directs agencies to review hiring and occupational licensing procedures to avoid automatic disqualification based on criminal records, and requires a federal strategic plan within 100 days.
Strengthening the Senior Executive Service
This executive order reforms the Senior Executive Service (SES) by creating a PMC Subcommittee to oversee changes including: capping performance award spending at 7.5%, streamlining hiring processes, requiring SES pay to exceed subordinate GS employees, establishing a 15% rotation goal for SES members, and phasing in talent management and succession planning across all agencies by FY 2018.
Continuance or Reestablishment of Certain Federal Advisory Committees
This executive order continues or reestablishes 40 federal advisory committees until September 30, 2017, transferring FACA compliance responsibilities to designated agency heads and updating administrative oversight for the National Industrial Security Program Policy Advisory Committee.
Implementing the National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States for 2015-2020
This executive order implements the updated 2015-2020 National HIV/AIDS Strategy, directing federal agencies to develop action plans, coordinate efforts, and report progress on reducing HIV infections, improving care access, and addressing disparities. It establishes a Federal Interagency Working Group and assigns specific responsibilities to lead agencies including HHS, Defense, Justice, and others.
Student Aid Bill of Rights To Help Ensure Affordable Loan Repayment
This memorandum directs multiple federal agencies to implement stronger consumer protections for the more than 40 million Americans with student loan debt. It establishes deadlines for creating a complaint system, improving loan servicing standards, protecting distressed borrowers including those with disabilities, and exploring regulatory changes to bankruptcy and consumer protection laws.
Federal Support for Local Law Enforcement Equipment Acquisition
This executive order creates an interagency working group to review and standardize federal programs that provide military-style equipment to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. The group must develop recommendations for controlled equipment lists, training requirements, civil rights compliance, and oversight mechanisms, with initial reports due in 60 days and final recommendations in 120 days.
Creating Welcoming Communities and Fully Integrating Immigrants and Refugees
This memorandum establishes the White House Task Force on New Americans, co-chaired by the Director of the Domestic Policy Council and the Secretary of Homeland Security, to develop a coordinated federal strategy for integrating immigrants and refugees into American communities. The Task Force must submit an Integration Plan within 120 days and a status report within one year, with responsibilities including reviewing agency policies, disseminating best practices, and measuring equitable access to services.
Modernizing and Streamlining the U.S. Immigrant Visa System for the 21st Century
This November 2014 presidential memorandum directs the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security to develop, within 120 days, recommendations for modernizing and streamlining the U.S. legal immigration and visa system. The recommendations must address reducing government costs, improving applicant services, reducing employer burdens, ensuring full use of congressionally authorized visa numbers, and modernizing IT infrastructure, with input from diverse stakeholders.
Helping Struggling Federal Student Loan Borrowers Manage Their Debt
This memorandum directs the Secretaries of Education and Treasury to expand income-driven student loan repayment options, improve borrower outreach and communication strategies, develop public-private partnerships for tax-season education, and pilot enhanced loan counseling tools. It aims to make Pay As You Earn available to more Federal Direct Loan borrowers by December 2015 and targets struggling borrowers including dropouts, first-time defaulters, and those with low balances.
Creating and Expanding Ladders of Opportunity for Boys and Young Men of Color
President Obama established the My Brother's Keeper Task Force, an interagency initiative chaired by the Assistant to the President and Cabinet Secretary with the Deputy Secretary of Education as Executive Director, to improve life outcomes for boys and young men of color through better coordination of federal programs, data sharing, and public-private partnerships. The Task Force is directed to create assessment tools, evaluate federal policy impacts, and report back with recommendations within 90 days and a status report within one year.
Job-Driven Training for Workers
This memorandum directs the Secretaries of Labor, Commerce, and Education to develop within 180 days an action plan to reform federal workforce and training programs to be more "job-driven," emphasizing employer engagement, skills matching, accountability for employment outcomes, and better alignment across education and training systems. The Vice President is tasked with leading a government-wide review of relevant federal programs.
Establishing a White House Task Force To Protect Students From Sexual Assault
President Obama established a White House Task Force co-chaired by the Office of the Vice President and the White House Council on Women and Girls to coordinate federal efforts addressing campus sexual assault. The Task Force must develop recommendations within 90 days and provide annual implementation reports, focusing on improving institutional compliance, transparency, and evidence-based prevention practices at colleges and universities receiving federal financial aid.
Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change
This executive order directs federal agencies to integrate climate change preparedness and resilience into their operations, programs, and investments. It establishes a new interagency Council on Climate Preparedness and Resilience, creates a State, Local, and Tribal Leaders Task Force, mandates updated Agency Adaptation Plans, and requires modernization of federal programs to remove barriers to climate-resilient investment.
Continuance Of Certain Federal Advisory Committees
This executive order extends 26 federal advisory committees until September 30, 2015, and makes technical amendments to several prior executive orders governing the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, President's Management Advisory Board, President's Global Development Council, and President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. It also delegates presidential functions under the Federal Advisory Committee Act to designated agency heads.
Expanding National Service Through Partnerships to Advance Government Priorities
This memorandum establishes an interagency Task Force on Expanding National Service, co-chaired by the CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and the Director of the Domestic Policy Council. It directs federal agencies to develop partnerships with CNCS to expand national service and volunteer opportunities aligned with the six focus areas of the Serve America Act, and requires specific reports and guidance within set timeframes.
Establishing the White House Council on Native American Affairs
This executive order creates the White House Council on Native American Affairs, chaired by the Secretary of the Interior, to coordinate federal policy across 30+ agencies to support tribal self-governance and improve quality of life for Native Americans. It establishes a formal structure for interagency coordination on economic development, healthcare, education, justice, and environmental protection while mandating three annual meetings.
Establishing the President's Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
This executive order creates a presidential advisory council within the Treasury Department focused on improving financial literacy and money management skills among young Americans. The council will bring together government officials and private-sector experts to develop strategies for financial education in schools, communities, and workplaces, with a two-year mandate.
Establishing the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force
This executive order establishes a cabinet-level task force chaired by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to coordinate long-term rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Sandy. The task force is required to produce a comprehensive rebuilding strategy within 180 days of its first meeting, after which it will terminate 60 days later.
Establishing the White House Homeland Security Partnership Council
This executive order creates the White House Homeland Security Partnership Council and its Steering Committee to institutionalize collaboration between federal field offices and local partners—including state/local/tribal governments, private sector, and nonprofits—to address homeland security challenges ranging from disaster response to terrorism prevention. The Council advises on priorities, promotes best practices, and convenes annually, while the Steering Committee sets its scope, selects members, and reports to the President yearly.
Improving Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families
This executive order directs multiple federal agencies to expand mental health services for veterans, service members, and military families through suicide prevention programs, community provider partnerships, increased staffing, and a national research action plan on PTSD and traumatic brain injury. It establishes an interagency task force to coordinate implementation and requires specific deliverables including expanded crisis line capacity, pilot projects with community providers, and hiring of 800 peer counselors and 1,600 mental health professionals.
White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans
This executive order establishes the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans within the Department of Education, along with a Federal Interagency Working Group and a President's Advisory Commission. The Initiative aims to improve educational outcomes for African Americans across all education levels through coordination of federal programs, identification of best practices, and partnerships with stakeholders.
Improving Repayment Options for Federal Student Loan Borrowers
This memorandum directs the Secretaries of Education and Treasury to streamline the Income-Based Repayment (IBR) application process for federal student loans by creating an online system that imports IRS income data directly, develop integrated online and mobile resources to educate borrowers about repayment options, and improve notifications about IBR availability to borrowers before and after leaving school.
Establishing Principles of Excellence for Educational Institutions Serving Service Members, Veterans, Spouses, and Other Family Members
This executive order creates consumer protections for military members, veterans, and their families using federal education benefits like the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Tuition Assistance Program. It establishes 'Principles of Excellence' requiring schools receiving these funds to provide clear cost information, end deceptive recruiting, ensure academic support, and strengthen complaint and enforcement systems across the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Education.
Establishing a Working Group on the Intersection of HIV/AIDS, Violence Against Women and Girls, and Gender-related Health Disparities
This memorandum establishes a White House Working Group co-chaired by the Advisor on Violence Against Women and the Director of National AIDS Policy to coordinate federal efforts addressing the intersection of HIV/AIDS, violence against women and girls, and gender-related health disparities. The group must convene within 60 days and includes representatives from eight agencies plus advisory roles for State, USAID, and PEPFAR.
Establishing a White House Council on Strong Cities, Strong Communities
This executive order establishes a White House Council on Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2) within HUD to coordinate federal technical assistance to local communities, helping them compete for federal resources and develop economic strategies. The Council is co-chaired by the HUD Secretary and the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, with broad membership across federal agencies.
Federal Support for the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program
This memorandum directs all federal agencies with property management responsibilities to ensure compliance with the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program, which gives priority to blind individuals to operate vending facilities on federal properties. It also requires the Secretary of Education to submit a report on agency implementation within one year.
Improving American Indian and Alaska Native Educational Opportunities and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities
This executive order establishes the White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education, co-chaired by the Secretaries of Education and Interior, to improve educational outcomes for AI/AN students across all educational settings. It mandates interagency coordination, requires a Memorandum of Understanding between Education and Interior within 120 days, and directs federal agencies to develop four-year implementation plans with annual performance reporting.
Continuance of Certain Federal Advisory Committees
This executive order extends the lifespan of seven federal advisory committees until September 30, 2013, one committee until September 30, 2012, and amends the termination date of the President's Advisory Council on Financial Capability to January 29, 2013. It also delegates FACA compliance functions to agency heads rather than the President.
Continuance of Certain Federal Advisory Committees
This executive order extends 15 federal advisory committees for two years until September 30, 2013, delegates FACA functions to agency heads, and restructures leadership of the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Initiative by replacing the Education-Commerce co-chair arrangement with an Education Secretary and presidentially designated senior official.
Establishment of the SelectUSA Initiative
This executive order establishes SelectUSA, a Department of Commerce-based initiative to coordinate federal efforts to attract and retain domestic and foreign business investment in the United States. It creates a Federal Interagency Investment Working Group spanning nearly every cabinet department and major economic agency to promote the U.S. as a business location, serve as an investment ombudsman, and provide information to investors.
Establishment of the White House Rural Council
This executive order creates the White House Rural Council, chaired by the Secretary of Agriculture and comprising 25 federal agencies, to coordinate federal policy and investment in rural communities. The Council is tasked with streamlining federal spending, improving economic opportunities, and enhancing quality of life in rural America through better interagency collaboration.
Fundamental Principles and Policymaking Criteria for Partnerships With Faith-Based and Other Neighborhood Organizations
This executive order amends Executive Order 13279 to establish constitutional and operational principles for federal partnerships with faith-based and neighborhood organizations. It mandates equal treatment of faith-based providers in federal social service funding while prohibiting religious discrimination against beneficiaries and requiring separation of explicitly religious activities from federally funded programs. The order creates an Interagency Working Group to ensure uniform implementation across agencies and requires a report within 120 days on model regulations and guidance.
White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics
This executive order establishes the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics within the Department of Education, along with a Federal Interagency Working Group and a 30-member Presidential Advisory Commission. It creates a coordinated federal structure to expand educational opportunities and improve outcomes for Hispanic students from early childhood through higher education and adult learning, with specific objectives including increasing kindergarten readiness, reducing dropout rates, improving college completion, and strengthening Hispanic-Serving Institutions.
Establishing a Task Force on Skills for America's Future
This memorandum establishes an interagency Task Force on Skills for America's Future, co-chaired by the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers and two White House policy assistants, to develop recommendations for improving workforce training partnerships between community colleges, businesses, labor unions, and other stakeholders. The Task Force is charged with identifying scalable approaches to career training, stackable credentials, and public-private partnerships, but has no dedicated funding or enforcement authority beyond voluntary agency coordination.
President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition
This executive order renames and reauthorizes the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports as the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, adding nutrition to its mission. It establishes a 25-member advisory council to promote physical activity, fitness, sports participation, and good nutrition nationwide, with emphasis on children, adolescents, and underserved communities. The council is set to terminate after 2 years unless extended by the President.
Establishing the National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council
This executive order establishes the National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council within HHS, chaired by the Surgeon General, to coordinate federal prevention and wellness efforts. It mandates development of a national health strategy and requires annual reports to Congress through 2015 on progress toward disease prevention goals.
Task Force on Space Industry Workforce and Economic Development
President Obama established an interagency task force co-chaired by the Secretary of Commerce and NASA Administrator to develop an economic development action plan for Florida's Space Coast and other aerospace communities affected by the end of the Space Shuttle program. The task force must submit a comprehensive plan by August 15, 2010, recommending how to invest $40 million in transition assistance funding, and will terminate after 3 years unless extended.
A 21st Century Strategy for America's Great Outdoors
This memorandum establishes the America's Great Outdoors Initiative, led by Interior, Agriculture, EPA, and CEQ, to reconnect Americans—especially children—with nature through community-based conservation, public-private partnerships, and interagency coordination. It mandates listening sessions across the country and requires three reports: an initial strategy report by November 15, 2010, and annual progress reports by September 30, 2011 and 2012.
Promoting Excellence, Innovation, and Sustainability at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
This executive order establishes the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities within the Department of Education, along with a President's Board of Advisors, to strengthen HBCU capacity, increase their participation in federal programs, and advance the national goal of having the highest proportion of college graduates by 2020. It requires designated federal agencies to prepare annual plans with measurable objectives for HBCU engagement and appoint senior officials to coordinate these efforts.
Establishing a Task Force on Childhood Obesity
This memorandum establishes a Task Force on Childhood Obesity chaired by the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, with membership from multiple Cabinet secretaries and agency heads. The Task Force is directed to develop and submit within 90 days a comprehensive interagency action plan to solve childhood obesity within a generation, though its functions are explicitly advisory only.
President's Advisory Council on Financial Capability
Executive Order 13530 establishes a 22-member advisory council within the Department of the Treasury to promote financial literacy and access to financial services among Americans, with particular attention to underserved populations. The council is tasked with collecting information, advising the President and Treasury Secretary, and reporting periodically on financial capability in the United States. Unless extended by the President, the council automatically terminates two years after establishment.
Employment of Veterans in the Federal Government
This executive order establishes a government-wide initiative to increase veteran hiring in the federal workforce by creating an interagency Council on Veterans Employment, requiring agencies to develop operational plans and designate veterans employment offices, and mandating training for HR personnel and hiring managers on veterans' preferences and special hiring authorities.
Increasing Participation of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Federal Programs
This executive order establishes a President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) housed in the Department of Education and a White House Initiative on AAPIs co-chaired by the Secretaries of Commerce and Education. The order directs federal agencies to develop plans to improve AAPI access to federal programs, increase AAPI federal workforce participation, and advance data collection and research on AAPI subpopulations.
Continuance of Certain Federal Advisory Committees
This executive order continues 15 federal advisory committees for two years until September 30, 2011, superseding a prior Bush administration order. It also delegates presidential functions under the Federal Advisory Committee Act to the heads of designated departments and agencies.
Establishing a White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers
This executive order creates a White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers to coordinate federal assistance for areas hit hard by auto industry job losses. The council includes cabinet secretaries and senior officials across multiple agencies, and is tasked with aligning federal programs to support automotive workers and communities. It automatically terminates after two years unless extended by the President.
Establishing a White House Council on Women And Girls
This executive order creates a White House Council on Women and Girls to coordinate federal policy across agencies on issues affecting women and girls, including pay equity, healthcare access, educational opportunity, and workforce participation. The Council is advisory, composed of Cabinet secretaries and senior officials, and must submit an interagency plan within 150 days.
Establishment of the White House Office of Urban Affairs
This executive order creates the White House Office of Urban Affairs within the Executive Office of the President to coordinate federal urban policy across departments and agencies. The Office is tasked with developing a comprehensive urban policy agenda, ensuring federal spending in urban areas is effective, and engaging with state/local officials and private stakeholders.
White House Task Force on Middle-Class Working Families
President Obama established a White House Task Force on Middle-Class Working Families, chaired by Vice President Biden, to recommend policies on education, work-family balance, labor standards, income protection, and retirement security. The Task Force includes cabinet secretaries and senior White House economic advisors, with annual public reports required starting one year from signing.