Governance

 

Governing States are fully committed to Smarter Balanced and have a vote in policy decisions, while Advisory States may participate in work groups and provide guidance for the development of the assessment system. Affiliate members are territories and commonwealths of the United States and/or the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) that have not committed to a consortium, but support the work of the Smarter Balanced. Each state appoints K-12 and higher education leads to coordinate with the Consortium. State representatives direct the Executive Committee and participate in 10 Smarter Balanced work groups. Smarter Balanced works closely with state education chiefs and elected officials to ensure that the assessment system meets the needs of member states.

 

Governing States

 

California

• State Superintendent of Public Instruction: Tom Torlakson
• K-12 State Lead: Deb Sigman, Deputy Superintendent of the District, School & Innovation Branch
• Higher Education Leads:
• Monica Lin, Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions, University of California
• Linda Michalowski, Vice Chancellor, Student Services and Special Programs Division, California Community Colleges
• Beverly Young, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, California State University

 

Connecticut

• Commissioner of Education: Stefan Pryor, J.D.
• K-12 State Lead: Gail Pagano, Education Consultant, Bureau of Assessment, Connecticut State Department of Education
• Higher Education Lead: Braden Hosch, Director, Policy & Research;  Interim Director, Academic Affairs, Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education

 

Delaware

• Secretary of Education: Mark Murphy
• K-12 State Lead: James Hertzog, Education Associate, Accountability Resources Workgroup, Teaching and Learning Branch, Delaware Department of Education
• Higher Education Lead: Carol Vukelich, Professor, University of Delaware

 

Hawaii

• Superintendent of Education: Kathryn S. Matayoshi, J.D.
• K-12 State Lead: Cara Tanimura, Director, Systems Accountability
• Higher Education Lead: Linda Johnsrud, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost, University of Hawai’I System

 

Idaho

• Superintendent of Public Instruction: Tom Luna
• K-12 State Lead: TJ Bliss, Director, Division of Assessment, Idaho State Department of Education
• Higher Education Lead: Selena Grace, Chief Academic Officer, Idaho State Board of Education
• Executive Committee member: Luci Willits, Chief of Staff, Idaho Department of Education

 

Iowa

• Director of Education: Jason Glass, Ed.D.
• K-12 State Lead: Tom Deeter, Lead Consultant, Assessment, Evaluation, Accountability
• Higher Education Lead: Diana Gonzalez, Chief Academic Officer, Board of Regents

 

Kansas

• Commissioner of Education: Diane DeBacker, Ed.D.
• K-12 State Lead: Tom Foster, Director, Research and Evaluation
• Higher Education Lead: Gary Alexander, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Kansas Board of Regents

 

Maine

• Commissioner of Education: Stephen L. Bowen
• K-12 State Lead: Dan Hupp, Director of Standards and Assessment, Maine Department of Education
• Higher Education Lead: Allyson Handley, President, University of Maine at Augusta

 

Michigan

• Superintendent of Public Instruction: Michael P. Flanagan
• K-12 State Lead: Joseph Martineau, Executive Director, Assessment and Accountability
• Higher Education Lead: Patty Farrell, Director, University Relations and Policy Research, Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan

 

Missouri

• Commissioner of Education: Chris Nicastro, Ph.D.
• K-12 State Lead: Michael Muenks, Coordinator of Assessment
• Higher Education Lead: Rusty Monhollon, Assistant Commissioner for Academic Affairs, Missouri Department of Higher Education

 

Montana

• Superintendent of Public Instruction: Denise Juneau, J.D.
• K-12 State Lead: Judy Snow, Director, State Assessment
• Higher Education Lead: Neil Moisey, Interim Deputy Commissioner, Academic, Research, & Student Affairs, Montana

 

Nevada

• Interim Superintendent of Public Instruction: Rorie Fitzpatrick
• K-12 State Lead: Cindy Sharp, Education Programs Professional, Nevada Department of Education
• Higher Education Lead: William Speer, Interm Dean, College of Education, and Professor of Mathematics Education, University of Nevada Las Vegas

 

New Hampshire

• Commissioner of Education: Virginia M. Barry, Ph. D.
• K-12 State Lead: Scott Mantie, Consultant for Assessment and Accountability, New Hampshire Department of Education
• Higher Education Lead: Melinda Treadwell, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Keene State College

 

North Carolina

• State Superintendent: June Atkinson, Ed.D.
• K-12 State Lead: Tammy Howard, Director of Accountability Operations
• Higher Education Lead: Suzanne Ortega, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, University of North Carolina

 

Oregon

• Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction: Rob Saxton
• K-12 State Lead: Doug Kosty, Assistant Superintendent Assessment and Information
• Higher Education Lead: Karen Marrongelle, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Standards and Collaborations, Oregon University System

 

South Carolina

• State Superintendent of Education: Mick Zais, Ph.D.
• K-12 State Lead: Elizabeth Jones, Director of Student Assessment
• Higher Education Lead: Paula Gregg

 

South Dakota

• Secretary of Education: Melody Schopp, Ph.D.
• K-12 State Lead: Gay Pickner, Director of Assessment
• Higher Education Lead: Sam Gingerich, System Vice President for Academic Affairs, South Dakota Board of Regents

 

Vermont

• Commissioner of Education: Armando Vilaseca
• K-12 State Lead: Challis Breithaupt, State Assessment Coordinator, National Assessment of Educational Progress
• Higher Education Lead: Fayneese Miller, Dean, College of Education and Socials Services, University of Vermont

 

Washington

• Superintendent of Public Instruction: Randy Dorn
• K-12 State Lead: Robin Munson, Assistant Superintendent, Division of Assessment and Student Information
• Higher Education Lead: Randy Spaulding, Director of Academic Affairs, Higher Education Coordinating Board

 

West Virginia

• Superintendent of Schools: James Phares, Ed.D.
• K-12 State Lead: Carla Williamson, Executive Director, Department of Education
• Higher Education Lead: Kathy Butler, Vice Chancellor of State Colleges and Senior Director of Academic Affairs, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission

 

Wisconsin

• Superintendent of Public Instruction: Anthony Evers, Ph.D.
• K-12 State Lead: Lynette Russell, Director, Office of Educational Accountability
• Higher Education Lead: James Wollack, Associate Professor, Educational Psychology; Director, Testing & Evaluation Services, and the University of Wisconsin Center for Placement Testing, University of Wisconsin

 

Advisory States

 

Alaska

• Commissioner of Education & Early Development: Mike Hanley
• K-12 State Lead: Erik McCormick, Director of Assessment, Accountability & Information Management

 

North Dakota

• Superintendent of Public Instruction: Kirsten Baesler
• K-12 State Lead: Greg Gallagher, Director, Standards and Achievement
• Higher Education Lead: Aimee Copas, Academic Affairs Associate, North Dakota University System

 

Pennsylvania

• Secretary of Education: Ronald Tomalis
• K-12 State Lead: Rich Maraschiello, Special Assistant to the Secretary
• Higher Education Lead: Peter Garland, Executive Vice Chancellor, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education

 

Wyoming

• Interim Director of the Department of Education: Jim Rose, Ed.D.
• K-12 State Lead: Deb Lindsey, Director of Assessment, Wyoming Department of Education

 

Affiliate members

 

U.S. Virgin Islands

• Acting Commissioner Donna Frett-Gregory
• K-12 State Lead: Alexandria Baltimore-Hookfin, State Assessment Director, Virgin Island Department of Education