Supervisory Education Program Specialist with Teaching Experience

Jane R. Best, Ph.D.

303-***-**** I *********@*****.***

EDUCATION:

Ph.D. Higher Education Research and Policy Studies, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.

M.A. Education, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.

B.A. Major in Communications. Minor in Art History, Indiana University,

Bloomington, Indiana.

EXPERTISE:

c.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Manhattan Strategy Group, Bethesda MD (2020-Present)

Director, Education

Manhattan Strategy Group is a professional social sciences services firm that works with 13 federal agencies including the Health and Human Services, National Endowment for the Arts and U.S. Department of Education.

Lead all education business development and capture opportunities. Mange a staff of over 30 education content experts. Serve as corporate monitor to ensure high performance satisfaction on projects and cost efficiencies. I lead multiple projects and manage budgets and people on projects including: National Charter School Resource Center, National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition and Student Achievement in Reading.

Design strategic plans, write white papers and design research qualitative and quantitative studies.

University of Denver, Denver CO (2020-Present)

Professor of Arts and Cultural Management

Adjunct Professor at University College at the University of Denver offers a graduate program in arts and cultural management.

Teach courses such as Education Policy, Legal Landscape in Education, Arts, and Using Data in Education.

Develop online curriculum and instruct graduate students seeking careers in museum, visual arts, music and performance education.

University of Arkansas. Fayetteville AR (2019-2020)

Senior Advisor

Led a national arts integration project funded by the Walton Family Foundation and Windgate Foundation. Worked directly with College of Arts and Sciences at University of Arkansas, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Walton Family Foundation.

• Led strategic planning for the creation of a national arts integration research center that

triangulates Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, University of Arkansas and school

districts to pilot arts integration lessons into student learning modules.

• Designed plan and collating system for a national repository for arts integration lesson

plans, arts integration research, cases studies and governance structures between

museums and school districts.

• Created curriculum for University of Arkansas course offerings for educators seeking

Credential and advanced degrees in arts integration.

• Designed program evaluation for lessons that address the arts disciplines of visual arts,

dance and music and their impact on student learning across age groups.

The Arts Education Partnership. Denver CO (2016-2019)

Executive Director

The Arts Education Partnership (AEP) is dedicated to securing a high-quality arts education for every young person in America. AEP is a national education research and policy coalition of 100+ arts, business, cultural, government, and philanthropic organizations. It is a partnership funded by cooperative agreement with the National Endowment for the Arts and U.S. Department of Education.

Set strategic direction on policy, research and practice artifacts in music, dance, theatre and visual arts and executed against a budget of this federal cooperative grant agreement.

Led two international meetings a year and worked directly with an advisory board executing against a strategic plan, and preparing advocacy materials.

Invited speaker to 50+ conferences including: Hewlett Foundation, Save the Music Foundation, NAMM Foundation, National Association of Elementary School Principals, Americans for the Arts, Young Audiences, American Education Research Association, Grantmakers in the Arts, League of American Orchestras, SXSWedu, and other national art, music and cultural organizations.

Led vetting and curation of timely arts education research to be populated in ArtsEdSearch, a national database dedicated to rigorous research on the impact of arts in education.

Participated in national meetings, programs, and dissemination materials for 100+ national arts organization leaders.

Led strategic plan creation, business development, wrote policy briefs and commissioned white papers to grow the funding of AEP.

Led AEP staff, coordinated with AEP advisory board, conducted workshops and served on advisory board to several partner arts organizations.

Initiated and supported special working groups to address topics such as equity, diversity and inclusion.

Grew expected revenues from $750,000 to $1.2 million in three years through special projects with partners, foundations and federal agencies.

McREL International, Denver CO (2010-2016)

Chief Strategy Officer (2013-2016)

McREL International is a private, 501 (c)(3) education research and development organization that was founded in 1966. McREL executes a portfolio of fee for service PreK-12 education contracts with states, districts in the U.S., New Zealand, Australia and other international markets.

Led the organization’s business development, strategic planning, research partnerships with other agencies, opportunities forecasts, policy communications, and proposal development for multi-year, multi-dollar U.S. Department of Education contracts that serve state education agencies, districts and schools.

Served on the management council of $16 million organization that directs PreK-12 business development, determines revenue goals, and administers research to inform evidence-based education policies.

Secured $1.8 million contracts and represented McREL among state and federal policymakers, associations, national organizations, and other federal agencies: The U.S. Department of Education and the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of Interior (DOI), and the Department of Labor (DOL).

Vice President for Government Relations (2010-2013)

Represented McREL to state and federal policymakers, on contracts funded by Institute of Education Sciences at U.S. Department of Education.

Wrote policy briefs on various topics, including the importance of arts in a child’s well- rounded education.

Learning Point Associates, Chicago IL (2006-2010)

Principal Education Researcher

Learning Point Associates (acquired by AIR) provides a continuum of education research,

assessment, technical assistance and policy analysis from the school level up to the national

and international levels, philanthropy and national organizations.

Led U.S. Department of Education funded projects that serve state departments of Education. Conducted policy outreach and technical assistance and program evaluation related to research needs of state education agencies located in 7 Midwestern states.

Worked directly with state legislatures, governor’s offices, state agencies, districts and schools on meeting policy mandates, designing and conducting scientific review. Worked on special policy projects funded by the Wallace Foundation.

Oversaw budget and deliverable requirements to meet federal government deadlines.

National Conference of State Legislatures, Denver CO (2004-2006)

Senior Policy Analyst in Arts and Education

NCSL is a national member association that serves state legislators and staff with a mission to

improve the quality and effectiveness of state legislatures, promote policy innovation and

communication among state legislatures, and ensure state legislatures a strong, cohesive voice

in the federal system.

Provided education research and policy recommendations, supported foundation initiatives, offered technical assistance on a variety of P-20 issues to all 50 state legislatures and staff enacting state education policy. Worked directly with Wallace, Gates and Hewlett Foundations to support foundation policy planning.

Other Experience:

Vanderbilt University Peabody College, Nashville TN (2001-2004)

Education Researcher

Peabody College is consistently ranked among the best graduate schools of

education in the country for student selectivity, and a large volume of funded research.

Vanderbilt University Office of Federal Relations, Washington D.C. (2003)

Peabody Education Research Fellow

Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations advocates on behalf of federal legislation, regulation

and policy that could affect Vanderbilt University.

Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), Nashville TN (2001-2003)

Education Researcher

THEC is the coordinating body for the 51 public colleges and universities which collectively

educate approximately 245,000 students. THEC provides higher education statistics and policy

analysis to serve the state.

Upper Arlington and Columbus Public Schools, Columbus OH (1996-2000)

High School French and English Teacher

K-12 certified French and English Teacher in Columbus, Ohio city and suburban schools.

HONORS:

Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Alice L. Beeman National Award for Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation of the Year

Peabody Dean’s Fellowship for Doctoral Research at Vanderbilt University

Association for the Study of Higher Education Graduate Student Policy Honoree

Emerson Zuck Scholarship for Academic Excellence at The Ohio State University

Harry C. Moores Award for Scholastic Achievement at The Ohio State University

BOARDS:

Crystal Bridges Museum for American Art, Windgate Charitable Foundation Advisory Board (Board Chair, 2017-present)

Knowledge Alliance Executive Committee (2011-2015)

STEM Education Coalition (2013-2015)

The Ohio State University College of Education, Board of Governors (2009-2013)

OTHER TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

•University of Colorado School of Public Affairs- Leadership and Ethics

•Vanderbilt University, Peabody Graduate School- School Leadership, Politics of Education & Organizational Development

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

•American Educational Research Association

Americans for the Arts

Politics of Education Association

Society for Research on Education Effectiveness

Jane R. Best – Presentations and Publications

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS:

Best, J. (2019, June). Music Education and The Every Student Succeeds Act. League of

American Orchestras Annual Meeting. Nashville, TN.

Best, Jane (2019, April). New York City Arts Education Roundtable. The Arts Education

Partnership- Tools and Resources for Practitioners. New York, NY.

Best, J. (2019, April). Arts Education and Rigorous Research. American Education Research

Association. Toronto, CA.

Best, J. (2019, March). Visual Arts Matter. National Art Education Association Annual

Meeting. Boston, MA.

Best, J. (2018, November). The Importance of Research in Arts Education. U.S. Department of

Education. Washington, DC.

Best, J. (2018, March). Arts and Music Education and the Role of Research. SXSW.

Austin, TX.

Best, J. (2018, January). Music Matters. NAMM Foundation Annual Meeting. Anaheim, CA.

Best, J. (2017, October). The Role of the Arts in a Well-Rounded Education. Young Audiences

National Meeting. Cleveland, OH.

Best, J. (2016, November). The Role of the Arts in a Well-Rounded Education. ECS Winter

Commissioners Meeting. Denver, CO.

Best, J. (2016, October). ESSA and Opportunities for Arts Educators. Massachusetts Arts

Education Association. Lesley University, Cambridge, MA.

Best, J. (2016, September). Plenary Session on ESSA and Opportunities for the Arts, U.S.

Department of Education, Washington DC.

Best, J. (2016, July). Workshop on Integrating the Arts into STEM in Early Childhood.

Education Commission of the States National Policy Forum, Washington DC.

Best, J. (2014, April). Strengthening R&D’s role in preparing an education workforce.

Panel participant at the American Educational Research Association 2014 Annual

Meeting, Philadelphia, PA.

Best, J. (2012, September). Building a common research agenda across jurisdictions. Panel participant at the Society for Research on Educational Effectiveness Fall 2012 Conference, Washington, DC.

Best, J. (2011, April). Policy implications for statewide teacher evaluation. Presentation at the American Educational Research Association 2011 Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA.

Best, J. (2011, February). Creating the national consortia. Presentation to the Chicago Consortium Institute. Chicago, IL.

Best, J. (2010, April). Locating and analyzing policies and resources. Presentation at the GradNation Spring Training by America’s Promise Alliance and the National Governor’s Association, Arlington, VA

Best, J. (2009, October). Educator compensation: Performance pay, pensions, and promising practices. Presentation at the Connecting Research to Practice Series sponsored by REL Midwest. Chicago, IL.

Best, J. (2009, October). Increasing access to higher education. Presentation at the Connecting Research to Practice Series sponsored by REL Midwest and Northeast and Islands, Washington, DC.

Best, J. (2009, September). Knowledge is power: Using data to drive change. Invited speaker for America’s Promise Alliance Annual Meeting. Washington DC.

Best, J. (2009, March). Understanding the politics of education through the lens of multiple stakeholders. Presentation at the Great Lakes West Meeting of the Comprehensive Assistance Centers, Chicago, IL.

Best, J. (2008, November). Ohio’s P-16 challenge of high school dropout. Presentation at the Students for Success Summit, Columbus, OH.

Best, J. (2008, October). Connecting policy to practice—Panel of professors, practitioners and policymakers. Presentation to the Wisconsin Legislature, Madison, WI.

Best, J. (2008, May). Understanding pressing policy issues that face state legislatures. Presentation to the Georgia Legislature, Atlanta, GA.

Best, J. (2008, February). P-20 systems: The challenge for Illinois and the Illinois Higher Education Legislative Working Group. Presentation to the Illinois Higher Education Legislative Working Group, Chicago, IL.

Best, J. (2007, December). Making the connection between high school and college. REL Midwest Presentation. Chicago, IL.

Best, J. (2006, May). The national landscape for principal preparation. Presentation at the Iowa Leadership Academy, Des Moines, IA

Best, J. (2006, February). State actions for education leadership. Presentation at the Kentucky Leadership Consortium. Frankfort, KY.

Best, J. (2005, August). Understanding the crisis of school leadership. Facilitator at the NCSL Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA.

Best, J. (2005, November). Advanced principal licensure-What states are doing. Presentation at the Illinois School Leadership Consortium, Springfield, IL.

Best, J. (2005, August). Better school leaders with better data. Presentation to the New Mexico Education Study Committee, Red River, NM.

Best, J. (2005, February). School leadership matters. Presentation at the NCSL Education Finance Seminar, Napa Valley, CA.

Best, J. (2004, May). The evolving political dynamics of federal higher education funding. Presentation to Vanderbilt University Faculty, Nashville, TN.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:

Best, J. & Winslow, E. (2015). Curriculum Embedded Performance Assessment (CEPSAs) Policy

considerations for meaningful accountability (Policy brief). Denver, CO: McREL

International.

Best, J. & Dunlap, A. (2015). Educational Equity, Challenges for Educator Effectiveness (Policy

Brief) Denver, CO: McREL International.

Best, J., & Cohen, C. (2014). Rural education: Examining capacity challenges that influence

educator effectiveness (Policy brief). Denver, CO: McREL International.

Best, J.R. & Cohen, C. (2013). Common Core State Standards and implications for special

populations (Policy Brief). Denver, CO: McREL International.

Best, J.R. & Cohen, C. (2013). Funding early childhood education: The President’s plan for the

future and states’ current action (Policy brief). Denver, CO: McREL International.

Best, J.R. & Cohen, C. (2013). School Improvement Grant Program: Implementation models,

limitations and recommendations (Policy Brief). Denver, CO: McREL International.

Best, J.R. & Cohen, C. (2013). Increasing participation, student engagement, quality, and

capacity: STEM legislative action by the 113th Congress (Policy brief). Denver, CO: McREL International.

Best, J.R. & Cohen, C. (2013). Reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA): The

SKILLS Act and its impact on education (Policy brief). Denver, CO: McREL International.

Best, J. R. & Cohen, C. (2013). Early care and education: Policy considerations for ensuring

high-quality pre-k programs (Policy brief). Denver, CO: Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning.

Best, J. R. & Cohen, C. (2013). State implementation of Common Core: Are they enough?

(Policy brief). Denver, CO: Mid-continent Research for Education and

Learning.

Best, J. R. & Dunlap A. (2012). Native-language education: Addressing the interests of special

populations within U.S. federal policy (Policy brief). Denver, CO: Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning.

Best, J. R., & Dunlap, A. (2012). Beyond access: Effective digital learning for a globalized

world (Policy brief). Denver, CO: Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning.

Best, J. R., & Dunlap, A. (2012). Student achievement beyond the classroom: Engaging families and communities (Policy brief). Denver, CO: Mid-continent Research for Education

and Learning.

Best, J. R. (2010). Human capital development in education: Challenges and policy options (Policy brief). Denver, CO: Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning.

Best, J. R. (2009). Minnesota graduation matters project. Minnesota dropout prevention summit. Minneapolis, MN: Minnesota Department of Education.

Best, J. R. (2009). Illinois grad nation—Addressing the challenge of Illinois’ dropout rate. Springfield, IL: Illinois Department of Education.

Best, J. R. (2008). Pressing policy concerns around high school dropout: Retention, prevention and re-engagement in Ohio. Columbus, OH: Ohio Department of Education.

Best, J. R. (2008). Achievement gap: College readiness and workforce development for Wisconsin. Madison, WI: Wisconsin Department of Education.

Best, J. R. (2008). P-16 education, what state policymakers should know. Naperville, IL: Learning Point Associates.

Best, J. R. (2006). School leadership and student success. Denver, CO: National Conference of State Legislatures.

Best, J. R. (2006). Ten tips for state legislators-What policymakers need to know to cultivate

high quality school leadership in their state and across the nation. Denver, CO:

National Conference of State Legislatures.

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