Duncan and Vilsack Discuss Rural Partnerships Before Visit to WI and IA

Secretaries Duncan and Vilsack. Official Department of Education photo by Leslie Williams.

“As the rural community goes, so goes our nation,” Secretary Arne Duncan said yesterday at the Education Commission of the States’ second “Summit on the Role of Education in Economic Development in Rural America,” in Arlington, Va. Duncan joined Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to address and discuss solutions for overcoming the unique challenges faced by distant and rural communities.

Duncan and Vilsack highlighted the Obama Administration’s commitment to and accomplishments in improving education and the economy in rural America. Recent collaboration between ED and USDA include increasing rural partnerships, supporting rural community colleges, and support for school turnarounds.

Yesterday’s event came one day before a two-day visit to Wisconsin and Iowa, where Secretary Duncan will focus on higher education, elevating the teaching profession, community partnerships and career and technical education. Secretary Vilsack will join Duncan for two events during the trip.

Today, Duncan and Vilsack will be in Platteville, Wis. to host a White House Rural Council event with agriculture teachers from across Wisconsin to discuss the Administration’s RESPECT Project. Watch the event LIVE at 12:25 p.m. CT and join the conversation on Twitter by using the #ruraled hashtag.

On Thursday, Duncan and Vilsack will travel to Waterloo, Iowa, where they’ll be joined by Jay Williams, executive director of the Office of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers at the U.S. Department of Labor, and local students, faculty, and business leaders, to host a White House Rural Council workforce training roundtable discussion.

Click here for the full schedule of Secretary Duncan’s visit, and click here to receive email updates on rural education.

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