U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona has announced the appointment of 11 prominent education leaders to the National Assessment Governing Board, which oversees the Nation’s Report Card (National Assessment of Educational Progress or NAEP). This nationally representative assessment provides critical insights into student learning gaps, especially exacerbated by the pandemic, covering areas such as chronic absenteeism, literacy, and teacher confidence in addressing these challenges.
The nonpartisan 26-member governing board, established by Congress, plays a pivotal role in setting policies for the Nation’s Report Card, including the choice of grades and subjects to assess, content inclusion, and achievement level determination. These appointments bring diverse experiences, from school leadership to education expertise, ensuring robust decision-making as the country navigates through the ongoing education recovery process.
The newly appointed education leaders, whose terms began on October 1, include:
- Lisa Ashe (Curriculum Specialist),
- Shari Camhi (Local School Superintendent),
- Michelle Cantú-Wilson (General Public Representative),
- Angélica Infante-Green (Chief State School Officer),
- Guillermo Solano-Flores (Testing and Measurement Expert),
- Darein Spann (Secondary Principal),
- and Jane Swift (Governor).
Additionally, Secretary Cardona has reappointed several current Governing Board members.
- Christine Cunningham, Senior Vice President of STEM Learning, Museum of Science, Boston (Curriculum Specialist)
- Patrick Kelly, AP Government and U.S. History Teacher, Blythewood, South Carolina (Twelfth-Grade Teacher)
- Reginald McGregor, Vice-President, Government Relations, Rolls-Royce Corporation (Business Representative)
- Martin West, Professor of Education and Academic Dean, Harvard University (State School Board Member from Massachusetts)
- Chair Beverly Perdue, the former governor of North Carolina, was also reappointed as chair of the governing board.
“I’m grateful to these new appointees for their willingness to serve and to those who preceded them on the governing board. We have vital work ahead of us to strengthen the NAEP program and innovate so that the Nation’s Report Card continues to provide essential information about the progress of our students and their experience in school,” said Executive Director of the National Assessment Governing Board Lesley Muldoon. “Congress has charged the Secretary and Board to ensure that its membership reflects the full diversity of our nation. This new class of members is the most diverse ever, strengthening our ability to represent the array of backgrounds and experiences of our nation’s students and teachers.”
New and reappointed members will take their oaths at the governing board’s quarterly meeting in November, marking a pivotal moment in enhancing the Nation’s Report Card’s role in providing vital information about student progress and school experiences.
The National Assessment Governing Board, an independent and nonpartisan entity, comprises individuals from various backgrounds, including governors, state legislators, local and state school officials, educators, business representatives, and members of the general public. Established in 1988 by Congress, it is responsible for shaping the National Assessment of Educational Progress policies. Further details about the governing board can be found at www.nagb.gov.
