United States Department of Education

Background
The United States Department of Education (ED) is a Cabinet-level department within the U.S. government. Its inception dates back to May 4, 1980, emerging in the aftermath of the division of the former Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. This division led to the establishment of both the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services, a transformation brought about by the Department of Education Organization Act. This act, signed into law by President Jimmy Carter on October 17, 1979, solidified this structural change.

Logo (May 7, 1980-)
Visuals: There is the U.S. Department of Education seal (which depicts an oak tree, with the trunks and limbs in yellow and foilage with a golden sun rising behind it; the picture is enclosed in a  border with a  outline and the text "serif" above with stars on both sides of the text, and the smaller text, "serif", on the bottom) on a background that depends on the show.

Variants:
 * In the logo's earlier years, the border is black and the tree has a different design.
 * On the first season of Dragon Tales, the seal is a still image of a plaque on a dark blue gradient background. Notably, the colors of the tree and foilage are darker, and the inner background of the tree is instead of gray. The border around the seal also has a more black-silverish outline and has notable shine marks.
 * On some shows like WordWorld, the logo is a print variant.
 * See the PBS Kids page for a description of the variants used on PBS Kids shows.

Technique: A still graphic. Live action for the Dragon Tales Season 1 variant.

Audio: During the funding credits, the announcer either says, "...from the U.S. Department of Education" or "...a cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Education..." Audio Variant: On the Dragon Tales season 1 variant, the announcer says "...through funds from the U.S. Department of Education."

Audio Trivia: The announcer of the Dragon Tales variant also narrated the "Coming Up Next on Dragon Tales" cold open that preceded most PBS Kids airings of the show (though some later broadcasts replaced the cold open with either the 2000 PBS Kids funding plug or went straight to the sponsors).

Availability: Appears on the funding credits of all shows funded by the U.S. Department of Education. It usually precedes the Corporation for Public Broadcasting logo; however, the Dragon Tales variant follows the CPB logo.