Susan Sclafani

Dr. Sclafani recently retired as Assistant Secretary of Education for Vocational and Adult Education and brings to Chartwell a wealth of domestic and global experience and relationships. She also served as Counselor to the Secretary of Education, where she was the United States representative to OECD, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and APEC, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. Dr. Sclafani’s passion for the task of promoting and ensuring the highest standards in education was well demonstrated during her tenure at the United States Department of Education. Among the highlights of her term at the Department was her leadership in the creation of the Mathematics and Science Initiative (MSI). The scheme focused attention on the importance of these subjects in the education of all students, emphasizing the need for knowledgeable math and science teachers at every level of schooling and the importance of further research in both areas. Her global work led to her leadership of the joint E-Language Learning Project with the Chinese Ministry of Education. She also led the Department’s High School Initiative to better prepare students for 21st Century education, training and the workplace. Prior to serving at the Department, Dr. Sclafani was Chief Academic Officer of one of the nation’s largest urban school districts, and in that capacity perfected her diverse skills focusing on technology, curriculum development and construction management. She also has extensive state education and business experience. Dr. Sclafani believes that the Chartwell Education Group can become an independent, non-political platform for enhancing public sector education initiatives. “Today, to earn a good living, to support a family, students need a rigorous education in core academics and some training or education beyond high school. Yet our educational system has not kept pace.”