Statement by AERA Executive Director Felice J. Levine on the Appointment of New NCES Commissioner


Statement by AERA Executive Director Felice J. Levine on the Appointment of New NCES Commissioner

January 5, 2018

It is important for the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) to have an appointed Commissioner of Education Statistics to assume this special office. Our country could not have been more ably served than by Dr. Peggy G. Carr as Acting Commissioner since 2014. Accurate, independent, timely, useful, and reliable statistics and data from pre-K through higher education and the workforce are bedrock nationally and internationally for understanding the conditions of education and the impact of policies. 

We have long sought the appointment of a highly experienced leader and expert in this field. Although Dr. James Woodworth is relatively new to and not well known in the research, statistics, and data community, his exposure to and use of data assets like the statewide longitudinal data systems at CREDO and his work experiences in particular as a public school teacher should serve him well in this role. We at AERA and in the larger education statistics and data community seek to work with Dr. Woodworth to ensure a continued commitment to the important principles and tenets of leading a statistical agency like NCES with the high integrity required in data collection and reporting. 

About AERA
The American Educational Research Association (AERA) is the largest national interdisciplinary research association devoted to the scientific study of education and learning. Founded in 1916, AERA advances knowledge about education, encourages scholarly inquiry related to education, and promotes the use of research to improve education and serve the public good. Find AERA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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