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Brian M. Stecher

Santa Monica Office

Senior Social Scientist

Media Availability

This researcher is available for interviews. Show Details »

Education

Ph.D. in education, University of California, Los Angeles; M.A. in mathematics, University of Oregon; B.A. in mathematics, Pomona College

Biography

Dr. Brian Stecher is a Senior Social Scientist in the Education program at RAND. Dr. Stecher's research emphasis is applied educational measurement, including the implementation, quality, and impact of state assessment and accountability systems; the cost, quality, and feasibility of performance-based assessments, and the development and validation of licensing and certification examinations. Dr. Stecher currently directs a multi-state, NSF-funded study of the accountability provisions of the No Child Left Behind act, and he recently completed a four-year evaluation of the California Class Size Reduction initiative. Dr. Stecher is a member of the Technical Design Group, advising the California Department of Education on the development of that state's accountability system. Dr. Brian Stecher has published widely in professional journals, and he is currently currently a member of the Editorial Boards of Educational Assessment Journal and Educational Evaluation and Policy Analaysis.

Research Focus

K-12 education; education assessment and accountability; school reform evaluation; mathematics and science teaching; No Child Left Behind

RAND Research Areas

Child Policy; Education

Recent Projects

  • Directing a study of the implementation and effects of No Child Left Behind in California, Georgia, and Pennsylvania

Selected Publications

L. S. Hamilton, B. M. Stecher, "A Better Way: Measuring Charter School Success and Failure", R .J. Lake & P.T. Hill (Eds.), Hopes, fears, and reality: A balanced look at American Charter Schools, 2006

Laura S. Hamilton and Brian M. Stecher, External Audiences for Test-Based Accountability: The Perspectives of Journalists and Foundations, RAND Corporation, 2004

Brian M. Stecher and Sheila Nataraj Kirby, Organizational Improvement and Accountability: Lessons for Education from Other Sectors, RAND Corporation, 2004

B. M. Stecher and L. S. Hamilton, "Responding Effectively to Test-Based Accountability", Phi Delta Kappan, 85(8), 2004

Brian M. Stecher et al., Working Smarter to Leave No Child Behind: Practical Insights for School Leaders, RAND Corporation, 2003

Research Focus

K-12 education, education assessment and accountability, school reform evaluation, mathematics and science teaching, No Child Left Behind

Recent Projects

  • Directing a study of the implementation and effects of No Child Left Behind in California
  • Georgia
  • And Pennsylvania

Selected Publications

"A Better Way: Measuring Charter School Success and Failure," L. S. Hamilton and B. M. Stecher, in R. J. Lake and P. T. Hill, eds., Hopes, Fears & Reality: A Balanced Look at American Charter Schools in 2006, National Charter School Research Project, University of Washington, Dec 2006

"Responding Effectively to Test-Based Accountability," B. M. Stecher and L. S. Hamilton, Phi Delta Kappan, Vol. 85, No. 8, Apr 2004

Organizational Improvement and Accountability: Lessons for Education from Other Sectors, Brian M. Stecher and Sheila Nataraj Kirby, RAND Corporation, 2004

External Audiences for Test-Based Accountability: The Perspectives of Journalists and Foundations, Laura S. Hamilton and Brian M. Stecher, RAND Corporation, 2004

Working Smarter to Leave No Child Behind: Practical Insights for School Leaders, Brian M. Stecher et al., RAND Corporation, 2003

Recent Media Appearances

Interviews: ABC; Associated Press; Atlanta Journal-Constitution; Christian Science Monitor; Los Angeles Times; NPR; Washington Post

Commentary: Education Week; Los Angeles Times; WashingtonPost.com

To arrange an interview:

Contact the RAND Office of Media Relations, (703) 413-1100, x5117 or (310) 451-6913, or send an email to media@rand.org.

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