What the Secretary of Education does
Manages federal student loans and federal aid to schools nationwide.
Common misconceptions(3)
- Sets what schools teachActually: Curriculum is set by states and local school boards. Federal law explicitly bars the Department from dictating lesson plans or textbooks.
- Runs public schoolsActually: Public schools are run by local districts and funded mostly by state and local taxes. Federal money is only about 10% of K-12 funding.
- Sets college tuitionActually: Colleges set their own tuition. The federal role is limited to student aid programs and enforcing civil rights laws.












