• This overview of the U.S. federal government’s role in education was last modified in February of 2012. It is a summary of the past and present roles of the U.S. government in public education. First the report explains the legal and monetary contributions allowed by the federal government. Second, the report goes over the history of the Department of Education. Third the report states the current mission of the Department of Education. Lastly, the report gives an account of the current staffing for the department of Education. This is a credible source because it is an official site sponsored and maintained by the United States Federal government and the Department of Education. It is relevant to my research into the official role that the government is obliged to play in the administration of public education versus the actual role that the federal government plays in education.