Michigan Assessment Expert Named Smarter Balanced Executive Committee Co-Chair

OLYMPIA, Wash. – June 18, 2012 - The Governing States of the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (Smarter Balanced) have elected Michigan’s Joseph Martineau, Ph.D., Executive Committee Co-Chair. Martineau will complete the term of Judy Park, Ed.D., who stepped down in May.

Along with Idaho’s Carissa Miller, Martineau will oversee the work of the Executive Committee and collaborate with Consortium staff, leadership, and advisory committees. Michigan is a founding member of Smarter Balanced, and Martineau has served as an Executive Committee member since 2010.

“We are thrilled that Joseph will serve as Executive Committee Co-Chair,” said Carissa Miller, Ph.D., deputy superintendent, 21st Century Classroom Division in the Idaho State Department of Education. “His expertise in large-scale assessment design and psychometrics has and will continue to be invaluable as we move forward with development of the assessment system.”

Martineau is executive director of the Bureau of Assessment and Accountability in the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), overseeing the implementation of nine assessment programs and multiple school accountability programs. He previously served as manager of large-scale assessment and as psychometrician at MDE.

“I am committed to the mission of developing a high-quality, balanced assessment system that provides information and tools to improve teaching and learning,” said Martineau. “It is an honor to be part of the Smarter Balanced Executive Committee, and I look forward to contributing to the management of the Consortium.”

Martineau is a board member of the National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME). He received his Ph.D. in measurement and quantitative methods from Michigan State University.

The Consortium will begin the process of electing another representative to fill Martineau’s position on the Executive Committee immediately.

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About Smarter Balanced
The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium brings together states to create a common, innovative assessment system for mathematics and English language arts/literacy that is aligned with the Common Core State Standards and helps prepare students for college and careers. The Consortium involves educators, researchers, policymakers, and community groups in a transparent and consensus-driven process to help all students thrive in a knowledge-driven global economy. The Consortium’s projects are funded through a four-year, $175 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, comprising 99 percent of activity resources, with the remaining support provided through generous contributions of charitable foundations. Membership is open to any interested U.S. state. For more information, please visit www.smarterbalanced.org.