Federal Education Programs

This section will reflect information obtained from the Federal Interagency Committee on Education. The Federal Interagency Committee on Education was established by executive order in 1982. The executive order directed the committee to “study and make recommendations for assuring effective coordination of federal programs, policies and administrative practices affecting education.”

The executive order set five goals for the committee:

• Consistent administration and development of policies and practices among federal agencies in the conduct of related programs
• Full and effective cooperation with the secretary on such studies and analyses as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this act
• Full and effective cooperation with the secretary on such studies and analyses as are necessary to carry out the purposes of the order
• Coordination of related programs to assure that recipients of federal assistance are efficiently and responsively served
• Full and effective involvement and participation of students and parents in federal education programs

In addition the U.S. Department of Education, there are 11 cabinet-level agencies that participate (the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Energy, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Interior Transportation and Treasury) and several noncabinet agencies.

The FICE meets regularly to review educational programs within different agencies. Information provided in this section will be targeted for teachers and students.

Highlights

Department of Energy

• U.S. Department of Energy Einstein Fellowship Program: The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program is a 10-month distinguished educator fellowship for K-12 mathematics and science teachers. Selected teachers spend up to one year in a congressional office or a federal agency. Agencies that have participated include the Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Education, National Institute of Standards and Technology, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The fellows provide their educational expertise, years of experience, and personal insights to these offices.
• U.S. Department of Energy, Laboratory Science Teacher Professional Development Program: The Laboratory Science Teacher Professional Development program is designed by the Office of Science to create a cadre of outstanding science and math teachers with the proper content knowledge and scientific research experience to serve as leaders and agents of positive change in their local and regional teaching communities. This three-year summer program will use the unmatched wealth of mentoring talent at the DOE National Laboratories to guide and enrich the teachers’ understanding of the scientific and technological world. Through this program, teachers will establish long-term relationships with their mentor scientists and teaching colleagues who will continue to support the educational efforts of the teachers when they have returned to their classrooms.
• U.S. Department of Energy, National Science Bowl: The National Science Bowl® is a highly visible educational event and academic competition among teams of high school students who attend science seminars and compete in verbal forums to solve technical problems and answer questions in all branches of science and math. The regional and national events encourage student involvement in math and science activities, improve awareness of career options in science and technology, and provide an avenue of enrichment and reward for academic science achievement.
• U.S. Department of Energy, Rebuild America EnergySmart Schools: Rebuild America EnergySmart Schools is a U.S. Department of Energy program that focuses on improving communities and schools through energy efficiency. Schools that invest in energy efficiency can reduce their energy costs by 25 percent on average – enough, for example, to hire 38,000 new teachers nationwide.
• U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Education and Training: The DOE provides educational and training resources on energy, particularly energy efficiency and renewable energy for teachers, and parents, students, school administrators, energy professionals and homeowners.
• U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Education Resources: Kindergarten Through 12th Grade: Energy Education Resources: Kindergarten Through Twelfth Grade is published by the National Energy Information Center, a service of the Energy Information Administration, to provide students, educators and other information users a list of generally available free or low-cost energy-related educational materials. The entries are listed alphabetically by organization title. Each entry includes the address, telephone number and description of the organization and the energy-related materials available. Most of the entries also include internet and email addresses. In the back of the book, there is a subject index cross-referenced by number to the alphabetical entries.

Appalachian Regional Commission

• Appalachian Regional Commission Education and Training: Education and training are driving forces behind Appalachia’s economic growth, preparing students and workers to compete successfully in the world economy. Information and resources are available to help the community strengthen its education and training systems.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services

• The Institute of Museum and Library Services is an independent federal grant-making agency dedicated to creating and sustaining a nation of learners by helping libraries and museums serve their communities. The institute fosters leadership, innovation and a lifetime of learning by supporting the nation’s 15,000 museums and 122,000 libraries. The institute also encourages partnerships to expand the educational benefit of libraries and museums. Created by the Museum and Library Services Act of 1996, P.L. 104-208, IMLS administers the Library Services and Technology Act and the Museum Services Act. In 2003, Congress re-authorized the Museum and Library Services Act, P.L. 108-81, re-affirming the vital role that museums and libraries play in our communities. The institute receives policy advice from the president-appointed, Senate-confirmed National Museum and Library Services Board.

Library Of Congress

• Library of Congress American Memory: American Memory is the front door to primary source materials relating to the history and culture of the United States. More than 125 online collections are available to educators, students and the general public. Collection formats include digitized documents, manuscripts, films, photographs, prints, sound recordings and maps.
• Library of Congress Learning Page: The Learning Page, a companion website to American Memory, is designed for educators and students. It provides lessons, feature presentations, activities, and tips and tricks for using the American Memory collections.
• Library of Congress Exhibits: Exhibitions are assembled on various topics for visitors to the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Sometimes the materials for these exhibits are assembled from Library of Congress collections; sometimes the materials are on loan from other institutions. Portions of these exhibits are digitized and presented on the website.

U.S. Mint

• U.S. Mint, HIP Pocket Change Program: The History in your Pocket Pocket Change website was launched in July 1999 by the U.S. Mint. The HIP Pocket Change is designed to be a fun, educational tool for students and teachers that generates interest in coins, the mint and U.S. history.