The U.S. Department of Education today announced Dr. Amber Northern will serve as a senior advisor to the Secretary with a focus on reforming the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). Dr. Northern will work with Dr. Matthew Soldner, Acting Director at IES, Institute staff, and external experts and stakeholders, to ensure IES is delivering high-quality and actionable research, relevant data, and proven best practices for researchers, educators, and education leaders.
IES has failed to provide a clear and compelling research agenda that puts students at the center. Its research contracts often prioritized politically charged topics and entrenched interests over classroom best practices and tools, even while American students experienced historic levels of learning loss following the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Northern will help lead a process to reenvision IES and return it to its core mission “to provide national leadership in expanding fundamental knowledge and understanding of education from early childhood through postsecondary study.”
“As we return education to the states, it’s essential that educators have access to accurate data to inform their work and develop best practices. Dr. Northern’s deep expertise in education statistics and years of experience in the classroom will be an asset as we re-envision the work of IES,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “Our goal is to ensure educators have access to reliable and innovative resources that improve outcomes for all students, and we are excited to have Dr. Northern lead the charge.”
“It is such an honor to be asked to examine IES with fresh eyes and consider how it might be more responsive to the students, parents, and educators that it serves,” said Dr. Amber Northern. “I know that the education community values the role that the federal government plays in Research & Development and I look forward to working with them on this rebuild.”
About Dr. Amber Northern
Amber Northern is on leave from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, where she recently served as the Senior Vice President for Research. She oversaw the Institute's robust research portfolio and staff.
Dr. Northern holds a Ph.D. in education policy and evaluation from the University of Virginia. She has served in an advisory capacity for various charter schools, federal assessment entities, and state education departments. She has taught in the public school, community college, and university sectors, and is a recognized authority on academic standards, career and technical education, and school choice.