Pennsylvania Department of Education

The Pennsylvania Department of Education is in charge of administering administrative and funding issues for the sector of both primary and higher education throughout the State. As of 2010, the PA Department of Education was directed by acting Secretary of Education Thomas E. Gluck.

The headquarters of the Pennsylvania Department of Education is based out of Harrisburg, PA, where the Department’s offices can be found at 333 Market Street. Queries and concerns relating to the PA Department of Education can be directed to (717) 783-6788. The Pennsylvania Department of Education website can be consulted in order to gain direction to specific educational offices in the building.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education dates back as an organization to 1834, though the actual title was bestowed on the Agency only in 1969. Up that point, the PA Department of Education was known instead as the Common School System. Rather than a Secretary of Education, it was headed by the Commonwealth Secretary.

After the first three years of the system’s existence, the Pennsylvania educational system was renamed the Department of Schools and placed under the supervision of the Superintendent of Common Schools, who in 1873 began to be known instead as the Superintendent of Public Instruction with concurrently greater administrative duties and oversight.

In addition to the office presently known as the Secretary of Education, the PA Department of Education is also answerable to the General Assembly and the Governor of the State and acts with independent groups, such as the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency and the State Public School Building Authority.

NEXT: South Carolina Department of Education