Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools
Encyclopedia
The Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools (OSDFS) is a subdivision within the United States Department of Education
that is responsible for assisting drug and violence prevention activities within the nation's schools.
The office was established by the Department of Education in 2002, pursuant to the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act part of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
.
on policy and program administration matters. The Immediate Office of the Assistant Deputy Secretary provides overall direction, coordination, and leadership to the following major elements:
appointed the first two directors of the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools, Eric G. Andell (2002–2003) and Deborah A. Price (2004–2009).
Obama administration
Secretary of Education
Arne Duncan
appointed the current highly controversial director, Kevin Jennings
, in May 2009.
, was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings
. The Committee was established to provide advice to the Secretary on Federal, state, and local programs designated to create safe and drug-free schools, and on issues related to crisis planning. As outlined in section 4123(a), the Committee will consult with, and provide advice to, the Secretary for the programs listed in section 4123(b) that are already carried out by the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools.
United States Department of Education
The United States Department of Education, also referred to as ED or the ED for Education Department, is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government...
that is responsible for assisting drug and violence prevention activities within the nation's schools.
The office was established by the Department of Education in 2002, pursuant to the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act part of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is a United States Act of Congress concerning the education of children in public schools.NCLB was originally proposed by the administration of George W. Bush immediately after he took office...
.
Responsibilities
The Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools administers, coordinates, and recommends policy for improving the quality of programs and activities designed to:- Provide financial assistance for drug and violence prevention activities and activities that promote the health and well-being of students in elementary and secondary schools, and institutions of higher education. These activities may be carried out by State and local educational agencies and by other public and private nonprofit organizations.
- Participate in the formulation and development of Department of EducationUnited States Department of EducationThe United States Department of Education, also referred to as ED or the ED for Education Department, is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government...
program policy and legislative proposals, and in overall Administration policies related to violence and drug prevention. - Participate in interagency committees, groups, and partnerships related to drug and violence prevention, coordinating with other federal agencies on issues related to comprehensive school health, and advising the Secretary of Education on the formulation of comprehensive school health education policy.
- Participate with other federal agencies in the development of a national research agenda for drug and violence prevention.
- Administer the Department's programs relating to character and civics education.
Organization
The Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools is under the supervision of the Assistant Deputy Secretary, who reports to the Secretary and the Deputy SecretaryUnited States Deputy Secretary of Education
The Deputy Secretary of Education oversees and manages the development of policies in the United States Department of Education. The Deputy Secretary focuses primarily on K–12 education policy, such as No Child Left Behind, the High School Initiative, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education...
on policy and program administration matters. The Immediate Office of the Assistant Deputy Secretary provides overall direction, coordination, and leadership to the following major elements:
- Health, Mental Health, Environmental Health, and Physical Education
- Drug-Violence Prevention - State Programs
- Drug-Violence Prevention - National Programs
- Character and Civic Education
- Policy and Cross-Cutting Programs
Directors
Bush administration Secretary of Education Rod PaigeRod Paige
Roderick Raynor "Rod" Paige served as the 7th United States Secretary of Education from 2001 to 2005. Paige, who grew up in Mississippi, built a career on a belief that education equalizes opportunity, moving from classroom teacher to college dean and school superintendent to be the first African...
appointed the first two directors of the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools, Eric G. Andell (2002–2003) and Deborah A. Price (2004–2009).
Obama administration
Presidency of Barack Obama
The Presidency of Barack Obama began at noon EST on January 20, 2009 when he became the 44th President of the United States. Obama was a United States Senator from Illinois at the time of his victory over Arizona Senator John McCain in the 2008 presidential election...
Secretary of Education
United States Secretary of Education
The United States Secretary of Education is the head of the Department of Education. The Secretary is a member of the President's Cabinet, and 16th in line of United States presidential line of succession...
Arne Duncan
Arne Duncan
Arne Duncan is an American education administrator and currently United States Secretary of Education. Duncan previously served as CEO of the Chicago Public Schools.-Early years and personal:...
appointed the current highly controversial director, Kevin Jennings
Kevin Jennings
Kevin Brett Jennings is an American educator, author, and administrator. He was the Assistant Deputy Secretary for the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools at the U.S. Department of Education from 2009-11...
, in May 2009.
SDFSC Advisory Committee
The Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Advisory Committee, authorized by the No Child Left Behind ActNo Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is a United States Act of Congress concerning the education of children in public schools.NCLB was originally proposed by the administration of George W. Bush immediately after he took office...
, was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings
Margaret Spellings
Margaret Spellings was the Secretary of Education from 2005-2009 under the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush and previously served as White House Domestic Policy Adviser to President George W. Bush....
. The Committee was established to provide advice to the Secretary on Federal, state, and local programs designated to create safe and drug-free schools, and on issues related to crisis planning. As outlined in section 4123(a), the Committee will consult with, and provide advice to, the Secretary for the programs listed in section 4123(b) that are already carried out by the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools.