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Sally H. Christensen has served as Deputy Assistant Secretary and Director of the Department's Budget Service since 1981.
During that time she also served in extended Acting capacities, including Assistant Secretary of Management and Budget and Chief Financial Officer; Deputy Under Secretary for Planning, Budget, and Evaluation; and Assistant Secretary for Planning, Budget, and Evaluation. Prior to 1981 she held various supervisory and analytical positions in the previous U.S. Office of Education, serving under 12 Commissioners of Education.
As the Department's budget officer, Christensen directs an annual budget of $30 billion for over 200 education programs. She has served under all 6 Secretaries of Education, working closely with them and their Senior Officers on issues such as the Federal role in education and the Department's budget and program policies. She has testified at close to 200 Congressional hearings, as either a principal or supporting witness, to explain the Administrations' budget and legislative proposals. She directs a staff of 75 professionals, including Senior Executives and analytical and technical personnel.
Christensen twice received the President's Distinguished Executive Award at the White House, in 1982 and 1988. She has received a performance recognition award each year since she joined the Senior Executive Service in 1981; and prior to that, received numerous awards and citations from the Commissioners of Education. She attended Dunbarton College where she was awarded a 4-year academic scholarship as valedictorian of her high school class, and she has taken additional courses at the University of Virginia and American University.
She has been active in local school activities, including PTA President, School Board Representative, Member of Advisory Council to the School Board, and Voluntary Teacher Assistant--all in Arlington, VA. She is a member of the Arlington County Committee of 100.
Christensen is married to John Christensen who coordinates the Department's Small Business Innovation Research Program in the Office of Educational Research and Improvement, and recently helped establish the National Educational Research Policy and Priorities Board. They have 2 children--Stephen, who just received his M.D. degree and is a Resident Internist, and Donna who is completing her Masters Degree in Business Administration at American University.
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