Colorado Commissioner of Education Dwight Jones joins McREL’s Board of Directors
October 16, 2007
Denver
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Dwight Jones, Colorado Commissioner of Education, has joined the Board of Directors of Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL), a nonprofit education research and development organization based in Denver.
Jones, who took office in June, has more than 20 years of experience in education, most recently as the superintendent of the Fountain-Ft. Carson School District in Colorado. Prior to that position, he was assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction in the same district and in Wichita, Kansas, Public Schools. In Kansas, he also held positions as the principal of a large urban high school in Wichita, as a teacher and principal at the elementary and middle school levels, and as operational vice president of Edison Schools, Inc.
"I look forward to representing Colorado on the McREL Board of Directors. McREL is a wonderful asset and we need to increase the awareness among school districts in Colorado about the tremendous resources they have to offer," said Commissioner Jones. "McREL's work can have a direct impact on raising achievement for all Colorado students, closing gaps in achievement, increasing graduation rates, and ensuring that Colorado high schools adequately prepare students for college and other post-secondary options."
The Commissioner has recently announced the Forward Thinking plan to increase the graduation rate and close the achievement gap in all Colorado schools. McREL is working with the Department of Education in designing a long-term strategy for the plan, which will include improved guidance and support services for schools and districts, more comprehensive professional development opportunities, and expanded leadership capacity across the state.
Tim Waters, McREL President and CEO, said, "We are thrilled to welcome someone with Commissioner Jones' experience and vision to our Board of Directors. We are optimistic that he will find ways to use McREL's assets to advance his Forward Thinking agenda for Colorado."
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McREL is a nationally recognized, private, nonprofit organization located in Denver, Colo., dedicated to improving education for all students through applied research, product development and service. In 2006, McREL provided research-based guidance to educators and policymakers in 42 states across the U.S.
