Federal Position Descriptions
Print

Director of the Institute of Education Sciences

Director of the Institute of Education Sciences, Department of Education
Responsibility
Management Scope

In fiscal 2015, the Institute of Education Sciences had a budget of $622 million and 183 employees.3

Primary Responsibilities

• Conducts, supports and disseminates research on education practices that improve academic achievement, statistics on the condition of education in the United States, and evaluations of the effectiveness of federal and other education programs
• Coordinates the work of the institute with related activities carried out by other agencies within the department and the federal government
• Advises the secretary on research, evaluation and statistics relevant to the department’s work
• Engages in activities to encourage the use of scientifically based research in education policy and decision-making throughout the United States4
• Serves as nonvoting ex officio member of the National Board for Education Sciences (20 U.S.C. § 9516) and the National Assessment Governing Board

Strategic Goals and Priorities
[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration.]
Requirements

• Nationally recognized and respected expertise in education research, assessment, statistics or evaluation

Competencies

• Ability to communicate in writing and verbally with diverse audiences
• Leadership experience, including ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders (preferred)
• Management skills (helpful)

Past Appointments
  • John Q. Easton (2009 to 2014): Executive Director, Consortium on Chicago School Research; Director, Department of Research, Analysis and Assessment, Chicago Public Schools, City of Chicago, Illinois; Deputy Director, Consortium on Chicago School Research5
  • Grover J. Whitehurst (2002 to 2008): Committee Decision Maker, National Board for Education Science, Institute of Education Sciences, Department of Education; Assistant Secretary, Office of Educational Research and Improvement, Department of Education; Department Chairman, Department of Psychology, State University of New York, Stony Brook University6
AGENCY

Department of Education

Mission: To promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access

COMPENSATION

Level II $179,700 (5 U.S.C. § 5313)1

REPORTS TO

Secretary of Education2

SENATE COMMITTEE

Health, Education, Labor and Pensions

Appointee Tracker

Check out our Political Appointee Tracker

Go to the tracker
Footnote
  1. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-31, May 5, 2017), contains a provision that continues the freeze on the payable pay rates for certain senior political officials at 2013 levels during calendar year 2017.
  2. https://ed.gov/about/offices/or/index.html
  3. Leadership Directories
  4. OPM PD
  5. Leadership Directories
  6. Leadership Directories
More federal position descriptions