Brian Stecher

Background

About Brian Stecher

Brian Stecher is an adjunct senior social scientist in RAND Education, moving toward retirement. His research focuses on measuring educational quality and improvement, with an emphasis on assessment and accountability systems. During his 19 years at RAND, he has worked on a range of educational projects including the National Longitudinal Study of No Child Left Behind, evaluations of the California Class Size Reduction initiative, the Vermont Portfolio Assessment system, and high-stakes testing programs in Kentucky and Washington. Dr. Stecher has served on a number of expert panels for the National Academies, and he is a member of the Technical Design Group, advising the California Department of Education on that state’s accountability system. He has published widely in professional journals, and is currently a member of the Editorial Board of Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis and Educational Assessment Journal. Dr. Stecher received his bachelor's degree in mathematics from Pomona College, his Master's degree in mathematics from the University of Oregon, and his Ph.D. in education from UCLA. Before coming to RAND, he served as Professional Associate at the Educational Testing Service and as National Coordinator for Project SEED, a mathematics enrichment program for inner-city elementary school students. Specialties: Educational testing and assessment Accountability policies Large-scale educational reform