About Our Office
SASA Management Staff
SASA Programs Staff Contacts
State Contacts - governor, chief state school officer, education committee leaders, and more
Even Start Coordinators and Federal Program Administration Contacts

About Our Office

Student Achievement and School Accountability (SASA) Office supports systemic efforts to improve academic achievement in schools that serve low-income communities. This is accomplished primarily through the administration of programs under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, providing over $10.7 billion in FY 2002 to improve teaching and learning in public schools throughout the nation.

The Office promotes accountability for improving student achievement by ensuring that States implement rigorous systems of standards, assessments, and accountability that motivate educators to assume responsibility for getting each and every student to achieve at high levels. As well, the Office builds the fiscal, pedagogical, and technical capacity of States, school districts, and schools to get all students (especially those most in need) to meet their State's high academic standards.

Fiscal capacity is supported through the flow of both formula and discretionary grants to States and school districts. Pedagogical capacity is supported through the promotion of effective research-based instructional approaches. Technical capacity is supported through efforts to help educators make good instructional use of all of the flexibility provided in legislation.

SASA Management Staff

Director (Zollie Stevenson Jr.,)

Staff Assistant (Jean Toye)
Responsible for scheduling for the director and provides support for the deputy director.

Group 1 - Monitoring and Audit (Charles "Chuck" Laster)

Group 2 - Early Childhood and Reading (Patricia McKee)

Group 3 - Policy Coordination (Susan Wilhelm)

Group 4 - Instructional Change (Gary Rutkin)

Group 5 - Standards, Assessments, and Accountability (Acting, David Harmon)

Acting Deputy Director, Susan Wilhelm
The primary responsibility of the Deputy Director of Title I is to assist the Director in carrying out the responsibilities of the Student Achievement and School Accountability Programs (SASAP). These responsibilities are carried out through facilitation and coordination of activities that include formulating, developing and implementing office policy, budget, staffing and representing the Director in her absence. Additional responsibilities include the day-today management of the office and as liaison between SASA and other offices.

Management Support Specialist (Claire Hunkin)
Responsible for assigning, tracking and quality control for all correspondence.

Management Operations Specialist (Patrice Washington)
Responsible for personnel and travel, budget management, and providing support for discretionary and formula grant programs.