- Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools
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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.[1]
Contents
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 Education 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 Secretary 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 Paige appointed the first two directors of the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools, Eric G. Andell (2002–2003)[2] and Deborah A. Price (2004–2009).[3]
Obama administration Secretary of Education Arne Duncan appointed the current highly controversial director, Kevin Jennings, in May 2009.[4]
SDFSC Advisory Committee
The Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Advisory Committee, authorized by the No Child Left Behind Act, 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.
References
- ^ U.S. Department of Education (September 17, 2002). "Paige announces formation of two new offices". U.S. Department of Education. http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2002/09/09172002.html.
- ^ U.S. Department of Education (September 17, 2002). "Eric G. Andell to lead new Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools". U.S. Department of Education. http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2002/09/09172002a.html.
Hedges, Michael (July 30, 2005). "Ex-judge Andell gets probation, $5,000 fine; He admits to charging expenses to U.S. government". Houston Chronicle: p. B3. http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2005_3890979. - ^ U.S. Department of Education (February 2, 2004). "Deborah A. Price named to head Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools". U.S. Department of Education. http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2004/02/02022004a.html.
U.S. Department of Education (March 11, 2005). "Deborah A. Price biography". U.S. Department of Education. http://www.ed.gov/news/staff/bios/price.html. - ^ U.S. Department of Education (May 19, 2009). "Education Secretary announces nine senior staff appointments". U.S. Department of Education. http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/05/05192009d.html.
CETAC (May 27, 2009). "U.S. Department of Education announces nine senior staff appointments including Kevin Jennings for OSDFS". Character Education and Civic Engagement Technical Assistance Center. http://www.cetac.org/news/newsDetailBox.cfm?id=200.
External links
Agencies under the United States Department of Education Secretary of Education 
Deputy Secretary of Education Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools · Office of Innovation and Improvement · Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services · Office of English Language Acquisition · Office of Elementary and Secondary EducationUnder Secretary of Education Office of Federal Student Aid · Office of Vocational and Adult Education · Office of Postsecondary Education · White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and UniversitiesPrograms Independent Organizations Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance · National Institute for Literacy · National Assessment Governing Board · National Board for Education Sciences · White House Initiative on Tribal Colleges and Universities · White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for HispanicsCategories:- United States Department of Education agencies
- Government agencies established in 2002
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