A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Office of Intergovernmental and
Interagency Affairs

The Office of Intergovernmental and Interagency Affairs (OIIA) functions as a liaison between the Department and its various offices; state and local governments; other federal agencies; and a wide variety of international, community and public advocacy groups concerning the president's and the secretary's education agenda. The office disseminates Department policies and promotes stronger ties between the Department and communities regarding school reform efforts. The office also provides policy guidance for several interagency and interdepartmental organizations and programs.

The Presidential Scholars Program

The Presidential Scholars Program was established to recognize and honor the nation?s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Honorees have demonstrated leadership; scholarship; outstanding contributions to their school and community; and accomplishment in the arts, sciences or other fields. Each year, the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects 141 scholars: one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and U.S. students who are living abroad; 15 students at large; and 20 scholars who demonstrate exceptional skill in the arts.

Kimberly Watkins-Foote, 202-205-0512
E-mail: kimberly.watkins-foote@ed.gov

Note: For the Arts Program, write to:

National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts
800 Brickell Avenue
Suite 500, Miami, Fl, 33131

The President?s Education Awards

The President?s Education Awards Program consists of the following two awards: the President's Award for Educational Excellence and the President's Award for Educational Improvement. The Educational Excellence Award recognizes and rewards students who achieve educational excellence, as recognized by the school principal. The Educational Improvement Award recognizes all students, including students with special needs, who are making an outstanding effort to learn and improve in their academic subjects. The award is a certificate signed by the president, the secretary of education and the school principal. To be eligible to receive an award, a student must attend a participating school. This program is voluntary; at the principal?s discretion.

Linda Bugg, 202-401-3644 or 877-897-4784
E-mail: linda.bugg@ed.gov

[Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs]

[Services and Resources]