The United States secretary of education is the head of the United States Department of Education. The secretary serves as the principal advisor to the president of the United States, and the federal government, on policies, programs, and activities related to all education in the United States. As a member of the Cabinet of the United States, the secretary is sixteenth in the line of succession to the presidency. Prior to its creation as an Executive Department, there was a non-Cabinet level position called the United States commissioner of education who led the United States Office of Education.
The current secretary of education is Linda McMahon, serving in this role under President Donald Trump.
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Function
The United States secretary of education is a member of the president's Cabinet and is the sixteenth in the United States presidential line of succession. This secretary deals with federal influence over education policy, and heads the United States Department of Education.
The secretary is advised by the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, an advisory committee, on "matters related to accreditation and to the eligibility and certification process for institutions of higher education."
List of secretaries
Prior to the creation of the Department of Education in 1979, Education was a division of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.
Parties
Democrat
Republican
Status