Department of Education Act

Department of Education Act - Establishes an executive department to be known as the Department of Education, to be headed by a Secretary of Education appointed by the President.

States that it shall be the principal function of the Department to improve the quality of education throughout the United States.

Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) advise the President with respect to the progress of education; (2) develop and recommend to the President appropriate policies and programs to foster the orderly growth and development of the Nation's educational facilities and resources especially in the light of long-range requirements; (3) exercise leadership at the direction of the President in coordinating Federal activities affecting education; (4) conduct continuing comprehensive surveys and collect, analyze, and disseminate relevant information concerning education in the United States; (5) provide information and such other assistance as may be authorized by the Congress to aid in the maintenance of efficient school, college, and university systems; and (6) encourage comprehensive long-range planning by State and local governments, especially with respect to coordinating Federal, State, and community educational activities at the local level.

Transfers the education functions of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to the Department of Education.

Transfers various education functions of other executive departments to the Department of Education.

Establishes a Federal Interagency Committee on Education to study and recommend such actions as may be necessary to assure effective coordination of Federal programs affecting education.

Establishes a National Advisory Commission on Education of specified membership and qualification to review and make recommendations with respect to the administration, regulation, and operation of Federal education programs.

Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as are necessary to enable the Department to carry out the provisions of this Act.