The Strategic Data Project Fellowship

Apply for the Strategic Data Project Fellowship

**SDP is currently recruiting candidates for positions in the Fort Worth Independent School District (TX), Fulton County (GA), and Gwinnett County (GA), with start dates in January 2010.**

You believe that data can make a difference in education reform.
You possess the analytic and leadership skills to help.

The Strategic Data Project Fellowship is a unique opportunity to use your analytic, leadership, and education sector experience to change the way leaders in education make decisions about teaching and learning.

Everyday education leaders—superintendents, principals, teachers—make important decisions that affect the lives of students and teachers. Those decisions can be informed and strengthened by data, but for numerous reasons are not.  Education leaders need strong analytic leaders positioned within their agencies who can help them connect the data that already exists and translate this data into effective policy decision-making.  Our goal is to increase student achievement and attainment through improved decision-making informed by data and analysis.

To accomplish this goal, the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University has launched the Strategic Data Project (SDP) which invests resources to promote a culture of data-utilization to inform key policy and practice decisions that directly affect student achievement.  By partnering with select high-impact school districts, states, and other education agencies, we provide education leaders with rigorous analysis that allows for deeper insight into their organization’s processes and outcomes and enables them to make informed decisions about students and teachers. Fellows are an integral part of the Project’s success.

The Strategic Data Project Fellowship provides:

• Immediate placement in a full-time analytic leadership role in a school district, state education agency or school network reporting to a cabinet-level executive (e.g. Chief of Data and Accountability, Chief Academic Officer or other top executive)

• The opportunity to take a leadership role on analytic, policy-oriented projects that impact decisions about students and teachers

• Twelve bi-monthly professional development sessions over two years to strengthen your skills in three primary areas of education reform: leadership & management, analytic tools, and communications

• Access to a new national network of analytic leaders making an impact in education reform through research and data

• $80,000 – $90,000 annual salary plus benefits

The Strategic Data Project Fellowship is a two-year program that places participants into full-time analytic leadership roles in school districts, state education agencies and school networks (i.e. partner agencies) where they can have an immediate impact on policy decisions that affect student outcomes.  SDP Fellows receive two years of professional development through the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University, and access to a nationwide network of innovative thinkers who seek to catalyze a culture of data-based decision-making.  At the conclusion of the two-year program, the Strategic Data Project expects that Fellows will either pursue similar opportunities within their placement agency or remain in the education sector.  The Strategic Data Project will provide post-fellowship support and an active alumni network.

The SDP Fellowship Program is designed for individuals with an advanced degree (e.g. Master’s, Ph.D.); a strong background in quantitative analysis; at least 4 years of work experience accompanied by a successful track record of managing projects and change; and a demonstrated passion for education reform.  The Strategic Data Project is in its second year, and is generously funded through a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.  For further questions, please contact us at or 617-496-1563.