FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 9, 2017
Contact: Michele McLaughlin

Knowledge Alliance Thanks Ruth Curran Neild for Leadership of theInstitute of Education Sciences, and Applauds Appointment of Thomas Brock

Washington, D.C. —Knowledge Alliance today thanked Ruth Curran Neild for her distinguished leadership of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) at the U.S. Department of Education. Knowledge Alliance praised Neild for her consistent efforts to work collaboratively and make IES’s research accessible and relevant to educators and policymakers. Knowledge Alliance also welcomed the decision of Education Secretary John King to delegate the duties of the IES director to Thomas Brock, while he continues in his current role as the Commission of the National Center for Education Research (NCER).

“Ruth’s leadership has significantly advanced IES’s important mission to provide rigorous, relevant research that helps improve outcomes for students, families, and educators across the country,” said Knowledge Alliance president Michele McLaughlin. “Ruth has worked closely with practitioners, policymakers, and researchers in the field to ensure that IES’s research is responsive to the needs of states and communities, and that the valuable information generated through IES-supported activities is effectively translated into action at the local, state, and Federal levels. We thank Ruth for her efforts, and look forward to working with Thomas Brock as he continues to carry this mission forward.”

“Ruth demonstrated an admirable commitment to maintaining IES’ standards of quality while emphasizing the relevance of research and evidenced-based technical assistance,” said Justin Baer, chairperson of Knowledge Alliance board of directors and Principal Associate at Abt Associates. “Her emphasis on collaboration with practitioners and policymakers – including through the Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) – has helped make IES’s work more field-driven and relevant to educators, parents, and students.”

Ruth’s tenure was marked by several important accomplishments, including redesigning the IES and What Works Clearinghouse website to make them more accessible and user-friendly. Baer added that Thomas Brock is a strong appointment to continue the important work of IES. During his tenure as Commissioner of NCER, a role in which he will continue, Brock has consistently shown that he is focused on supporting rigorous and relevant research that improves education for students nationwide.

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Founded in 1971, Knowledge Alliance is a non-profit, non-partisan organization focused on learning and applying what works to dramatically improve K-12 public education. We advocate for the greater use of research-based knowledge in education policy and practice at the federal, state, and local levels. Knowledge Alliance is comprised of leading education organizations that are dedicated to solving some of the biggest problems facing our schools today through the development and use of high-quality, relevant research