Cross-posted from the Curriculum Matters blog, by Erik Robelen
A longtime education official from Louisiana is taking his work to the national stage, where he will oversee work on standards, testing, and accountability for the Council of Chief State School Officers.
Scott Norton, now an assistant state superintendent, comes with years of experience in the thick of that same portfolio of responsibilities in Louisiana.
Louisiana State Superintendent John White offered high praise for Norton in a press release issued today.
“Through his 18 years with the department, his work has been the driving force behind Louisiana’s assessment and accountability systems and most recently the move to Common Core State Standards and PARCC assessments,” he said. “Dr. Norton has certainly established himself as a leader in this work, not only in Louisiana, but on a national level.”
This is the second piece of personnel news from the CCSSO in recent weeks. Last month, we reported that the executive director, Gene Wilhoit, is stepping down.
Needless to say, this is an important moment in the world of standards and assessments, with nearly all states gearing up to implement the Common Core (which CCSSO played a key role in helping to develop) and two state consortia in the midst of developing assessments to match. Meanwhile, many states are revising their accountability systems in light of having won federal waivers from the U.S. Department of Education.
With the new title of Strategic Initiative Director for Standards, Assessment, and Accountability, Norton, no doubt, will have his hands full. His last day is none other than (gulp) Friday the 13th of July.