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{{Organization
{{Organization  
|OrganizationName=Office of Communications and Outreach (OCO)
|OrganizationName=Office of Communications and Outreach  
|OrganizationType=Government
|OrganizationType=Administrative and Support Agencies
|Mission=To lead the U.S. Department of Education's efforts in communication and public engagement, ensuring that the Department's policies and initiatives are clearly communicated to the public; to foster educational excellence and ensure equal access to education for all.
|Mission=The Office of Communications and Outreach leads the Department of Education’s efforts to communicate its policies and initiatives. It engages diverse stakeholders to promote educational excellence and equal access.
|OrganizationExecutive=Assistant Secretary for Communications and Outreach
|OrganizationExecutive=Assistant Secretary for Communications and Outreach
|Employees=
|Employees=50
|Budget=
|Budget=$15 million (FY 2024)
|Website=https://www.ed.gov
|Website=https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oco
|Services=Press relations; Public outreach; Digital content creation; Stakeholder engagement; State and local engagement
|Services=Media relations; public engagement; recognition programs; digital content
|ParentOrganization=[[U.S. Department of Education]]
|ParentOrganization=Department of Education
|CreationLegislation=[[Department of Education Organization Act|Department of Education Organization Act of 1979]]
|TopOrganization=Department of Education
|Regulations=
|CreationLegislation=None
|HeadquartersLocation=38.8903° N, 77.0116° W
|Regulations=None
|HeadquartersAddress=400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202
|HeadquartersLocation=38.8868658,-77.0189258
|HeadquartersAddress=400 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20202
}}
}}


'''Office of Communications and Outreach (OCO)'''
'''Office of Communications and Outreach (OCO)''' is a component of the U.S. Department of Education responsible for leading the agency’s communications and public engagement efforts, with a focus on making the Department’s policies and the Secretary’s goals accessible to educators, parents, students, and underserved communities. It manages media relations, produces digital content like newsletters and webcasts, and oversees high-profile recognition programs such as the National Blue Ribbon Schools and Presidential Scholars, fostering connections with state, local, and national education stakeholders to advance educational excellence and equity.


The Office of Communications and Outreach (OCO) is a division within the U.S. Department of Education, responsible for managing the Department's interactions with the public, media, and various stakeholders. OCO plays a​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
{{Official URL (simple)|url=https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oco}}
 
==Mission==
 
The Office of Communications and Outreach aims to promote the Department of Education’s mission of fostering student achievement and global competitiveness by ensuring clear, cohesive communication of policies and programs. It engages a wide audience, including educators, parents, students, and underserved communities, through media, digital platforms, and recognition initiatives to build support for educational excellence and equal access.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oco |title=Office of Communications and Outreach |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
 
==Parent organization==
 
The Office of Communications and Outreach operates within the [[Department of Education]], which serves as both its parent and top organization. It collaborates with other Department offices to coordinate communications and supports programs like the Presidential Scholars and Blue Ribbon Schools to align with the Department’s broader goals of educational equity and excellence.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oco |title=Office of Communications and Outreach |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
 
==Legislation==
 
The Office of Communications and Outreach was not established by specific legislation but operates under the general authority of the [[Department of Education Organization Act of 1979]], which created the Department of Education and its administrative components.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/96th-congress/senate-bill/210 |title=Department of Education Organization Act |publisher=U.S. Congress |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
 
==Partners==
 
The Office of Communications and Outreach works with various partners, including:
 
* [[National Association of Elementary School Principals]] for recognition programs
* [[National Association of Secondary School Principals]] for school awards
* [[Council of Chief State School Officers]] for state-level engagement
* Other federal agencies for interagency communications<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oco |title=Office of Communications and Outreach |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
 
==Number of employees==
 
The Office of Communications and Outreach employs approximately 50 staff members, including communications specialists, media liaisons, and program coordinators.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oco/functional-statements.html |title=OCO Functional Statements |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
 
==Organization structure==
 
The Office of Communications and Outreach is structured to handle diverse communication and engagement tasks, with specialized units for stakeholder outreach, media, and recognition programs. Key components include:
 
* Stakeholder Engagement Unit is responsible for connecting with national education associations and communities.
* State and Local Public Engagement Unit manages communications with state and local officials.
* Recognition Programs Unit oversees awards like Blue Ribbon Schools and Presidential Scholars.
* Intergovernmental Affairs Unit builds partnerships with elected officials and organizations.<ref name="OCO-Functional">{{cite web |url=https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oco/functional-statements.html |title=OCO Functional Statements |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
 
===Leader===
 
The Office of Communications and Outreach is headed by an [[Assistant Secretary for Communications and Outreach]].<ref name="OCO-Functional" />
 
===Divisions===
 
The divisions include:
 
* Media Relations for handling press inquiries and communications strategies.<ref name="OCO-Functional" />
* Digital Communications for producing web content, social media, and newsletters.<ref name="OCO-Functional" />
* Recognition Programs for managing national awards and honors.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oco/programs-initiatives |title=Programs/Initiatives |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
* Intergovernmental and Community Engagement for state, local, and rural outreach.<ref name="OCO-Functional" />
 
==List of programs==
 
The Office of Communications and Outreach manages the following programs:
 
* [[National Blue Ribbon Schools Program]] for recognizing high-performing schools.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oco/programs-initiatives |title=Programs/Initiatives |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
* [[U.S. Presidential Scholars Program]] for honoring top high school students.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oco/programs-initiatives |title=Programs/Initiatives |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
* [[President’s Education Awards Program]] for student achievement recognition.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oco/programs-initiatives |title=Programs/Initiatives |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
* [[U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Program]] for sustainability and environmental education.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oco/programs-initiatives |title=Programs/Initiatives |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
* [[Recognizing Inspiring School Employees Award Program]] for honoring classified school staff.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oco/programs-initiatives |title=Programs/Initiatives |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
 
==Last total enacted budget==
 
The last total enacted budget for the Office of Communications and Outreach was approximately $15 million for FY 2024, supporting its communications, outreach, and recognition efforts.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget24/24action.pdf |title=FY 2024 Budget Summary |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
 
==Staff==
 
The Office employs about 50 staff, including media specialists, digital content creators, and recognition program coordinators. The team works out of the Department’s Washington, D.C. headquarters, with some remote support, and collaborates closely with other offices to ensure consistent messaging.<ref name="OCO-Functional" />
 
==Funding==
 
The Office of Communications and Outreach is funded through the Department of Education’s discretionary budget, with approximately $15 million allocated in FY 2024. Historically, its funding has remained stable, supporting media operations, digital outreach, and recognition programs, with occasional increases for high-priority initiatives like rural engagement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget24/24action.pdf |title=FY 2024 Budget Summary |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
 
==Services provided==
 
The Office of Communications and Outreach provides media relations, digital content creation, and public engagement services, producing newsletters, webcasts, and social media to share Department policies. It also manages recognition programs like the National Blue Ribbon Schools and Presidential Scholars, fostering connections with educators, students, and communities to promote educational equity and excellence.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oco |title=Office of Communications and Outreach |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
 
==Regulations overseen==
 
The Office of Communications and Outreach does not oversee federal regulations, as its role focuses on communication and outreach rather than regulatory enforcement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oco |title=Office of Communications and Outreach |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
 
==Headquarters address==
 
The headquarters address, as listed on Google Maps, is 400 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20202.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/400+Maryland+Ave+SW,+Washington,+DC+20202 |title=400 Maryland Ave SW |publisher=Google Maps |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
 
==History==
 
The Office of Communications and Outreach evolved as a key component of the U.S. Department of Education following the Department’s establishment under the [[Department of Education Organization Act of 1979]]. Designed to centralize the agency’s communications, it has grown to manage media relations, digital outreach, and recognition programs like the National Blue Ribbon Schools, adapting to new technologies and priorities to engage diverse stakeholders in advancing educational equity.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ed.gov/about/overview/mission |title=Overview and Mission |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/96th-congress/senate-bill/210 |title=Department of Education Organization Act |publisher=U.S. Congress |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
 
==Related==
 
* [[Department of Education]]
* [[National Blue Ribbon Schools Program]]
* [[U.S. Presidential Scholars Program]]
 
==External links==
 
* [https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oco Official Website]
* [[wikipedia:United States Department of Education]]
* [https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oco/programs-initiatives OCO Programs and Initiatives]
* [https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oco/functional-statements.html OCO Functional Statements]
 
==References==
 
<references />
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