| Notes |
Professional Experience
2009-Present
2005-2009
2002-2005
BETSY BROWN RUZZI
bbrownruzzi@ncee.org
Deputy Director, National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE)
Washington, DC
Following the release of NCEE’s report, Tough Choices or Tough Times, helped create the State Consortium for board examination systems and The Tough Choices or Tough Times State Consortium. These two state led efforts are working to implement the recommendations in NCEE’s report. In addition, oversees communications, public outreach, budget development and management and assists the President with fundraising. Most recently designed a national study to determine empirically the knowledge and skills needed by high school students to succeed in their initial credit-bearing courses in our nations open admissions two- and four-year colleges.
Associate Director, The New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce, National Center on Education and the Economy Washington, DC
Managed the Commission’s international benchmarking effort, oversaw the commissioning of over a dozen papers that provided background information to the Commission during its deliberation, and managed the publication process that led to the release of the Commission’s report, Tough Choices or Tough Times. Authored reports on international systems of early childhood education, student testing, teachers, education ministries, and education system studies of Finland and India and directed the Commission’s communications and public outreach efforts. Worked with the U.S. Department of Labor as it developed new policy and programming, particularly focused on standards-based curriculum and instruction for young people who have dropped out of school and are participating in alternative education programs.
Vice President, Touchstones Discussion Project
Annapolis, MD
Responsible for business development, sales and marketing, partnership development, fundraising and strategic planning for this non-profit organization. Works with schools and school district leaders to implement standards-based curriculum and professional development programs in literacy, mathematics, science and social studies in Maryland’s elementary, middle and high schools, and in schools in the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Delaware and California. Provided leadership development and team building programs to government agencies and corporations. For more information: www.touchstones.org.
Appendix 285
1997-2002
Director, National Affairs and Development, National Center on Education and the Economy
Washington, DC
Designed and managed projects for a not-for-profit committed to reform of our nation’s education, employment and training systems at the national, state and local levels. With a $50 million annual budget, led NCEE projects in elementary, secondary and technical/community college reform, curriculum research and development, workforce and economic development, alternative and adult education, school-to-career transition, and employment policy. Worked closely with the leading national business, labor and education associations as well as the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor. Helped create the National Institute for School Leadership, an executive development program for practicing school principals using on-line as well as in-class learning. Helped create the National Skill Standards Board, a national certification system for front-line workers.
Associate Director, Workforce Skills Program, National Center on Education and the Economy
Washington, DC
Managed a $3.2 million program to help build a world class workforce development system for the United States. The program’s implementation efforts were based on the recommendations found in NCEE’s publication, America’s Choice: high skills or low wages! Oversaw the program’s research, fund raising, budget, staff, evaluation, national legislative initiative, state level technical assistance effort and local programs working with schools, companies and community-based organizations.
Senior Associate, National Center on Education and the Economy
Washington, DC
Managed the national implementation effort of NCEE’s Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce. The Commission called for profound changes in the way American employers organize work and the way our nation educates and trains its workforce. Organized a national legislative coalition charged with drafting federal legislation based on the Commission's recommendations, managed a speaker’s bureau, press and policymakers' events and coordinated fundraising.
Senior Project Manager, National Alliance of Business
Washington, DC
Assisted in the development of the Alliance’s Corporate Action Agenda, a comprehensive array of technical assistance activities, tools and publications designed to prepare corporate leaders to take action in education reform. Created and raised funds for a multi-year program sponsored by the J.C. Penney Foundation on business/education partnerships. Assisted in the development and management of a seminar series for Business Roundtable companies on education reform and co- authored a publication for CEOs entitled A Primer for Business on Education. Member of the Research Team for the Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce.
1992-1997
1990-1992
1989-1990
Appendix 286
1988-1989 Policy Coordinator, Office of the Governor of Massachusetts Boston, MA
Reviewed state education agency budget and coordinated board appointments. Briefed education committees on local and state education issues including special education, school building assistance, equal opportunity grants and education reform initiatives.
1987-1988 Acting Secretary, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Washington, DC
Liaison to the Board in its search for a President. Staffed the Board’s Nominating Committee as it searched for initial Board members. Developed the Board’s first strategic plan and funding proposal. For more information: www.nbpts.org.
1985-1988 Staff Associate, Carnegie Forum on Education and the Economy, Carnegie Corporation of New York
Washington, DC
Conducted research for the Forum’s report, A Nation Prepared: Teachers for the 21st Century. Managed Forum ‘86 and ‘87 meetings where 200 leading Americans discussed selected issues in education reform. Directed the organization’s media relations, assisted in fund raising and managed Board meetings. Worked with state and local school districts committed to restructuring their school systems. Helped establish the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
1983-1984 Legislative Aide, U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging Washington, DC
Monitored and drafted legislation on Medicare, Social Security, Disability Insurance and consumer protection. Prepared testimony and witness questions for committee hearings chaired by Senator John Heinz (R). Contributed to annual publication and assisted in demographic study entitled Aging in the Workforce.
1983 Legislative Assistant, Houses of Parliament London, England
Staffed committee hearings and reported to the Committee on Wales on coal mines and steel plants within committee jurisdiction.
1982 Congressional Clearinghouse on the Future Washington, DC
Prepared policy briefs on new technologies of the future for the clearinghouse chaired by Congressman Albert Gore, Jr. (D).
Education
1985 George Washington University, Washington, DC
Masters in Public Policy with a concentration in Applied Economics
1983 Boston University, Boston, MA Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Appendix 287
Publications and Video
• Alternative Education Cannot Be Left Behind, Education Week, Dec. 2001
• America’s Education Challenge: Helping All Students Meet High Standards, 1997
• Building a Highly Skilled Workforce: A Labor Market System for the 21st Century, 1997
• States Begin Developing the Certificate of Initial Mastery, 1995
• Building a System to Invest in People: States on the Cutting Edge, 1995
• The Business of High Performance (video), 1994 (Telly Award winner, 1995)
• The International Experience with School Leaving Examinations, 1994
• High Skills or Low Wages? ASCD Magazine, 1992
• America's Choice: high skills or low wages! The Report of the Commission on the Skills of the
American Workforce, in New Jersey Bell Journal, Summer 1991
• Training the Workforce in a Technical Society, New Jersey Bell Journal, Winter 1991
• A Primer for Business on Education, 1989
• The Data Behind the Debate: The Carnegie Task Force on Teaching, 1986
Selected Presentations/Papers
Oregon Workforce Board, 1995
Rhode Island Human Resources Investment Council, 1996
Scottish Further Education Colleges Annual Meeting, 1996
Illinois School to Work Task Force, An Assessment of Illinois' STW Effort, 1996
New Jersey School to Work Conference, 1997
University of Utrecht, the Netherlands, A System of National Skill Standards and Qualifications for the United States: Early Stages of Implementation, 1997
Colorado Workforce Council, 1998
Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce, 1998
Vermont Human Resources Investment Council, 1999
AFL-CIO, Work in America Institute, 1999
7th Annual Integration of Academic & Technical Education Conference, 1999
Maryland Career Majors Institute, 1999
National Youth Employment Coalition, 2001
Job Corps High School Task Force, 2002
Coalition of Essential Schools, 2002 |