(NAME-MCE) Executive Director - Closing the Achievement Gap Initiative Sacramento CA

[Anselmo Villanueva]

WestEd Position Announcement  *Position Title:* Executive Director, Closing
the Achievement Gap Initiative *Reports to:*Senior Program Director *
Program:* Comprehensive School Assistance Program  *Salary:*  Level I -
$92,231 - $115,289     *Date Posted:* 08/02/2007  *Location:* Sacramento, CA
*Time Base:*100% *Position No:* 2224
http://www.wested.org/cs/we/view/hr_pos/2224

WestEd, a nonprofit research, development, and service agency, works with
education and other communities to promote excellence, achieve equity, and
improve learning for children, youth, and adults. While WestEd serves the
states of Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah as one of the nation's
Regional Educational Laboratories, our agency's work extends throughout the
United States and abroad. WestEd has 16 offices nationwide, from Washington
and Boston to Arizona, Southern California, and its headquarters in San
Francisco.

 The goal of the Comprehensive School Assistance Programs at WestEd is to
make a significant contribution to closing the achievement gap in American
education, English language learners and native speakers of English, and
students from low-income families and their more economically advantaged
peers. To accomplish this goal, CSAP staff members work to build the
capacity of schools, school districts, and state departments of education to
improve educational programs for students on the wrong side of the
achievement gap. In addition, program staff are expected to contribute to
the knowledge base on turning around low performing schools and districts to
use the knowledge they have gained in their work to inform local, state and
national policy makers.

 *Position Description*

Oversee the development and implementation of a sustained, specific and
ambitious plan that holds the State of California accountable for creating
the conditions necessary for closing the Academic Achievement Gap

*Responsibilities*

· Assist CDE management to coordinate a wide variety of activities
associated with the Closing the Achievement Gap (CTAG) initiative
· Oversee the preparation of an annual evaluation report on the initiative
· Coordinate the day-to-day operations of the P-16 Unit and staff
· Work with the University of California Office of the President and the
Center for Applied Policy in Education at UC Davis to define a research
agenda in support of the initiative
· Oversee a survey research project designed to determine what educators in
the field believe the state can do to close the achievement gap
· Participate in the design and conduct of a statewide Achievement Gap
Summit
· Work closely with the P-16 Council chair managing the development of draft
recommendations to close the achievement gap for review of the P-16 Council
and the State Superintendent
· Coordinate dissemination and further input gathering on the State
Superintendent's recommendations to close the achievement gap
· Act as a spokesperson for the CTAG initiative in meetings and by
membership on statewide groups with key stakeholders

*Qualifications*

· Substantial experience working in schools and districts with documented
evidence of contributing to closing the academic achievement gap
· Knowledge of research, policy, and practice related to closing the
academic achievement gap
· Demonstrated ability to work effectively in academic, political, and K-12
education environments
· Effective communication skills, including excellent writing and
presentation skills; comfort with large and small groups and with diverse
audiences
· Experience in writing for publication and writing/presenting to the
public, educational leaders, and policy makers
· Advanced degree with education/experience in relevant areas
· Evidence of skill and ability to work effectively with clients, colleagues
and organizations.

*Application Process*

  Apply for this
Position<http://www.wested.org/cs/we/create/hr_apply?x-lr=hr_pos/2224&x-t=create.form>
We
invite you to apply online at www.WestEd.org/jobs or you may send your
resume, a letter of interest (specify Job No. 2224) and a list of three
references to:

Human Resources
WestEd
730 Harrison Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
FAX: 415-565-3012
http://www.WestEd.org

WestEd is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Positions are
open until filled.

 BENEFITS SUMMARY
WestEd employees are offered a broad benefits package, including

* Competitive salary
* Health insurance, including dental and vision care
* Life insurance
* 403(b) retirement plan
* Paid vacation and holidays