The U.S. Department of Education has announced that Dr. Amber Northern will be joining as a Senior Advisor to the Secretary, focusing on reforming the Institute of Education Sciences (IES).
In this role, Dr. Northern will work closely with Dr. Matthew Soldner, the Acting Director of IES, as well as with IES staff, external experts, and key stakeholders.
The aim is to ensure that IES provides high-quality, actionable research, relevant data, and effective best practices for researchers, educators, and education leaders.
IES’ Current Challenges and the Need for Reform
The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) has faced significant challenges in recent years, particularly in providing a clear and focused research agenda.
Critics argue that IES research contracts have often centered around politically driven topics, rather than prioritizing practical, classroom-based solutions.
As a result, many education experts believe that IES has failed to address key issues affecting students, particularly after the historic learning losses many American students experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Northern’s appointment comes as part of a larger effort to realign IES with its original mission: to provide national leadership in education research, from early childhood through to postsecondary study.
By helping to re-envision IES, Dr. Northern aims to place students at the center of educational research, focusing on producing relevant, reliable, and impactful data that educators can use to improve student outcomes.
The Role of Dr. Amber Northern in Education Reform
Dr. Amber Northern brings a wealth of expertise to this critical role. With a strong background in education statistics and years of experience as a teacher, she is uniquely equipped to help reshape the Institute of Education Sciences.
In a statement, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon expressed her confidence in Dr. Northern’s ability to lead this transformation.
McMahon emphasized that educators must have access to accurate and innovative data to support their work, and Dr. Northern’s experience will help provide those resources.
Dr. Northern herself expressed her enthusiasm for the role, acknowledging the honor of being asked to reexamine IES with fresh perspectives.
She is eager to make IES more responsive to the needs of students, parents, and educators, and is committed to working with the education community to rebuild and strengthen the role of the federal government in education research and development.
About Dr. Amber Northern
Dr. Amber Northern is currently on leave from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, where she previously served as Senior Vice President for Research. In her previous role, Dr. Northern managed a robust research portfolio and a dedicated research staff.
She holds a Ph.D. in education policy and evaluation from the University of Virginia and has served in various advisory roles for charter schools, federal assessment organizations, and state education departments.
Her experience also extends to teaching in public schools, community colleges, and universities.
Dr. Northern is a recognized authority in several key areas, including academic standards, career and technical education, and school choice.
With her broad expertise and deep commitment to improving education, Dr. Northern is well-positioned to lead the charge in reforming the Institute of Education Sciences.
The appointment of Dr. Amber Northern as a senior advisor to the U.S. Department of Education marks an important step toward reforming the Institute of Education Sciences (IES).
With her expertise and experience, Dr. Northern is set to lead a major overhaul of IES to ensure that educational research is focused on practical, classroom-based solutions that will benefit students and educators alike.
This reform aims to provide educators with the reliable and innovative resources they need to improve student outcomes, particularly in the aftermath of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
