Iowa Department of Education Director Judy Jeffrey was one of more than 40 chief state school officers from across the nation to meet with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Second Lady Jill Biden, and U.S. Department of Education (ED) senior advisors at the White House Wednesday, Feb. 25 to discuss the current state-federal partnership with the U.S. Department of Education (ED).

"I am very pleased that Secretary Duncan and the Obama administration are interested in building a strong partnership with the state education officers from across the nation," said Jeffrey. "Working together, we can significantly improve student outcomes."

Jeffrey and her fellow chiefs were invited by Secretary Duncan and Vice President Biden for a briefing session on President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in addition to other pressing education issues.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will invest more than $130 billion in the nation’s public education system.
 
Jeffrey and the chiefs were introduced to ED’s guiding principles for ARRA: delivering funds quickly; saving and creating jobs; ensuring transparency and accountability; and advancing reforms. In addition, she was informed that that initial guidance from the federal government on the funding could be expected next week.

The Iowa Department of Education continues to work daily with the Governor, legislative leadership, and the Department of Management, to determine appropriate uses and distribution of funds in a way that complies with the federal statute.