REGENTS RESEARCH FUND

Senior Fellow for Virtual Learning & Technology Initiatives The Regents Research Fund is seeking an innovative and highly accomplished virtual learning and/or information technology leader to serve as Senior Fellow for Virtual Learning & Technology Initiatives. Based in New York City, the Senior Fellow will play a key role in producing research and analysis and recommending polices and strategies to foster and scale technologies that support highly effective teaching and learning. This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who cares deeply about improving educational opportunities for all students, thrives in an entrepreneurial environment, has a record of leading large-scale change, and wants to develop a national model for statewide education reform. ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION The New York State Board of Regents and the New York State Education Department (NYSED) oversee all education institutions in the Stateincluding all public and private Pre-K and K-12 schools as well as all colleges and universitiesand administers an annual PreK-12 budget of more than $25 billion. The philanthropically-supported Regents Research Fund, a separate 501(c)(3) organization based in New York City, provides critical research, analysis and capacity in support of the Regents' and NYSED's core initiatives. The Board has developed an ambitious reform agenda to transform Pre-K - 12 education for the more than three million children and adult learners in the State: to redesign teacher and principal preparation to create a truly effective corps of teachers and principals and hold them accountable for student achievement; provide educators with college- and career-ready curriculum and assessment standards; work aggressively to turn around low-performing schools and create a statewide portfolio of innovative school models; create a state-of-the-art data system that will inform system-wide continuous improvement and accountability; and transform the State's GED system. Recently awarded nearly $700 million through the federal Race to the Top competitionrepresenting the largest population of students impacted by any single state through this national grant initiativeNew York State is poised not only to deliver substantial reforms to its own students, but to serve as a pioneer for the countrys education reform movement. Commissioner David Steiner and Senior Deputy Commissioner John King, Jr.two of the countrys most passionate education change agentshave called upon the Regents Research Fund to design new policies, programs, and systems that will ensure that the promise of the Reform Agenda and Race to the Top is fulfilled. To this end, the Fund has built a growing team of nationally recognized education thought leadersthe Regents Research Fellowsto perform this challenging and vital work. The Fund has identified seven core initiatives in support of the Regents Reform Agenda: Statewide Common Core-Aligned Curriculum, Teacher and Principal Effectiveness, Performance-based College and Career Readiness-Aligned Assessments, GED Redesign, the Education Data Portal and Website, Virtual Learning, and Charter Schools.

THE POSITION AND ITS KEY RESPONSIBILITIES The Senior Fellow for Virtual Learning will recommend policies and strategies to the Board of Regents and NYSED for the development of frameworks for virtual learning and other technology-based initiatives at the Department level and statewide. The position will play a key role in realizing the States vision of a statewide education community leveraging best technology practices to improve instruction and student achievement. The State has committed to developing a statewide platform for virtual learning, virtual teaching, and a support infrastructure, devoting $21 million in federal Race to the Top funds to this work. In addition, the state has committed $48 million toward the development of a longitudinal data system and instructional reporting and improvement system which, in addition to maintaining student and teacher data, will provide or give rise to applications for instructional improvements including professional development resources for teachers and principals, recommended instructional interventions based on assessments, teacher and principal observation tools and distributed scoring. In support of these and other technology initiatives, the Senior Fellow will work closely with counterparts at NYSED; other Fellows in the areas of Teacher/Leader Effectiveness, Assessment, Curriculum and Professional Development; partner organizations, including vendors and funders; the U.S. Education Department; officials in other states performing similar work; and stakeholders around the State including Districts, Boards of Educational and Cooperative Services, and Regional Information Centers. The position will be supported by a Fellow for Virtual Learning & Technology initiatives, who will bring complementary skills. For example, if the Senior Fellow has greater expertise in policies and strategies for developing, scaling and integrating information technology systems, the Fellow would preferably specialize in school-level use of education technologyor vice versa. Senior Fellows and Fellows are based in New York City and must commit to a minimum of two years. Responsibilities include: Performing research and analysis regarding frameworks for virtual learning, data systems, instructional reporting and improvement systems, and other state-level technology initiatives, including identification of innovative solutions and best practices from local, state and national resources. Working with NYSED staff and partner organizations to clearly define business requirements for virtual learning and other technology initiatives based on deep understanding of NYSED and constituent capabilities and needs.

Recommending and analyzing product development roadmaps for potential applications to be added to the State instructional technology platform that meet a variety of constituent needs, including strategies to build a thriving ecosystem for the development of third-party applications. Analyzing policy, strategy and implementation alternatives and making recommendations to the New York State Board of Regents and NYSED based on the States policy goals. Playing a key role in technology-related procurement initiatives, including recommending requirements and specifications for Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and serving on RFP review panels, and participating in vendor implementation oversight. Monitoring and analyzing virtual learning, longitudinal data, reporting, and instructional improvement systems and content once implemented and recommending improvements and enhancements accordingly. Working closely with other initiatives of the Fellows and SED offices to ensure integration with other reform efforts, including teacher and principal effectiveness, implementation of Common Core standards and assessments, and school innovation. Identifying effective professional development models that foster a deep understanding and successful implementation of virtual learning and other technology initiatives. Developing and publishing research and policy papers.

Skills and Experience: Proven track record of developing and implementing large-scale technology systems and/or products serving diverse stakeholders, OR a proven track record of developing and implementing educational technology applications or systems with evidence of improving student achievement. Knowledge of the national-, state-, district- and school level PreK 12 education landscape. Experience managing a team to meet ambitious performance targets Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with critical deadlines Willingness to hold oneself personally accountable for results in a rapidly changing government context Advanced degree and 10+ years relevant experience

COMPENSATION Compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. Benefits include a competitive health insurance plan, retirement plan, and vacation and sick leave policies. TO APPLY Please e-mail a cover letter and resume to regentsfundjobs@mail.nysed.gov. Subject line must read VLT Senior Fellow search Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The USNY Regents Research Fund is strongly committed to the principle of equal opportunity for all individuals. The Fund will make all employment decisions without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.