The Executive Office of Educational Affairs was abolished along with the Board of Higher Education and related agencies as part of a reorganization of Massachusetts educational governance, effective with the passage of St 1980, c 329, ss 103-134. An independent Dept. of Education and a Board of Regents of Higher Education replaced them. St 2008, c 27, s 3 (MGLA c 6A, s 14A) provided yet another reorganization, abolishing the 1980 agencies and providing for an Executive Office of Education under a secretary of education responsible for departments of early education and care, elementary and secondary education, and higher education, each headed by a commissioner. Its mission has been described as ensuring that all Massachusetts students are prepared to succeed by investing in research-based strategies, raising standards and accountability, improving assessments, increasing the quality of teaching, promoting innovation, enhancing student supports, and rewarding excellence.