In his role as president of Public Impact, an education policy consulting firm, Bryan Hassel conducts research and consults nationally on charter school and the comprehensive reform of existing public schools, including special education.

He has conducted extensive research on accountability in special education, comprehensive school reform and teacher quality. He coauthored two articles on accountability in special education, one describing shortcomings in the current system of special education accountability and one suggesting a new, results-based approach to accountability.

Hassel's overarching critique of federal special education policy is that it is too focused on procedural compliance and not focused enough on learning results achieved by children. He is open to a variety of particular accountability approaches but strongly favors reforms that create powerful incentives for each level of the special education system, from federal education officials to teachers. He knows that we should concentrate on helping special education students achieve at the highest possible levels, rather than on checking off procedural boxes.

Hassel received his doctorate in public policy from Harvard University and his master's in politics from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar.

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