News Article - Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, April 4, 2006
Contact:	Melanie S. Winklosky 781-338-3316

Commissioner Chosen for National Board

MALDEN - Education Commissioner David P. Driscoll has been chosen by U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings to serve on the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB). Secretary Spellings said, "David Driscoll's leadership and commitment have been instrumental to raising the standard of education excellence in his home state of Massachusetts. I know that he will bring that same dedication to NAGB as we work towards our goal of getting every child to grade level in reading and math by 2014." Senator Edward Kennedy, Ranking Member on the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, was enthusiastic about the nomination. "I am delighted that Secretary Spellings has chosen Commissioner Driscoll for this crucial national role," he said. "Throughout his career, David has been devoted to the students of Massachusetts, and I am proud of his service and accomplishments." Congress created NAGB in 1988 to set policy for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The independent Board, composed of 24 members, represents state, local, and federal officials, educators, business representatives, and members of the general public. The Board is responsible for formulating policy guidelines for NAEP, the only continuing assessment of what students know and can do in various subjects at the elementary and secondary school levels. The board is involved in a number of activities, including:

Selecting the subjects to be tested;
Identifying learning objectives for each grade tested;
Identifying appropriate achievement goals; and
Ensuring that all items selected for use in the assessment are free from racial, cultural, gender and regional biases.

Commissioner Driscoll said, "I am honored to be selected to represent my colleagues on the most important assessment board in the country. It is clear that this honor is reflective of the great success Massachusetts has had in standards-based reform. We all owe a debt of gratitude to the state's educators, parents, and students for our continued success. I look forward to serving Secretary Spellings and our nation's schools and students."

Last Updated: April 4, 2006