Founder Susan Sclafani Consulting,
Former Assistant Secretary of Education

Susan K. Sclafani is a creative, high-energy, accomplished leader, manager, collaborator, and organizer in the educational arena at the local, state, national and international levels.

Guest Professor, Institute of International and Comparative Education, Beijing Normal University and Member of The Academic Committee, Mingyuan Institute of Education as of April, 2018.

Vice President for Program Management, Pearson and Vice President for Programs, Pearson Foundation 2010-2016

As Vice President for Program Management at Pearson, Dr. Sclafani organized and managed the development of the Pearson System of Courses, a digital K-12 curriculum in English Language Arts and Mathematics aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).
•Organized the schedule and production for the curriculum development project, including curriculum for the digital environment, assessments, teacher guides and supplemental materials, and professional development.
•Provided regular interface between the curriculum development team and the technology, curriculum and project management teams at Pearson.
•Assured that deadlines were met for completion of curriculum and assessments on time and within a budget of $39 million.
•Developed research-based reports for teachers and curriculum leaders.
•Worked with and trained Pearson sales and marketing professionals on differentiating Pearson’s first digital product from traditional paper-driven products.
•Organized advisory committees of nationally known experts in English 
Language Arts and Mathematics and arranged meetings to gather ideas and responses to draft curriculum products.
•Successfully managed the California adoption process for Mathematics 
curricula in 2013 and English language arts curricula in 2015, ensuring that all CCSS standards were effectively addressed in curriculum, teacher guides, instructional materials and professional development.
Vice President for Programs at The Pearson Foundation 
 •Researched principles of development for curriculum and professional development for Common Core related resources.
•Organized meetings and a summer conference for 400 teachers and administrators to gather requirements and specifications for curriculum and professional development.
•Consulted with national organizations to ensure alignment with national assessments and resources available.

Director of State Services at the National Center on Education and the Economy 2008-10
•Directed the implementation planning and services for work with members of the State Consortium on Board Examination Systems.
•Advised state departments on curriculum and instructional strategies to improve high school student performance.
•Arranged seminars for state leaders with national experts in assessment and early childhood education.
•Worked with OECD and NCEE on writing Strong Performers and Successful Reformers
•Worked with OECD on writing Evaluating and Rewarding the Quality of T eaching.
•Served on OECD Committee for Improving Education in Mexico.

Managing Director at Chartwell Education Group 2005-2008
•Arranged and led international benchmarking trips to Singapore and China for chief state school officers.
•Provided strategic advice and services to school districts, state departments of education, educational organizations and associations, educational corporations, and governmental entities in the United States and abroad, on issues related to improving student achievement, arts education, high school redesign, mathematics and science initiatives, and international education.
•Developed detailed development plan for a liberal arts university in India. Assistant Secretary, Office of Vocational and Adult Education, U.S. Department of Education 2003-05
•Led the development of programs and research projects for vocational and adult education.
•Worked with staff to effectively plan and monitor programs with state departments.
•Mobilized effective and scientifically-based state and local high school reform initiatives through the Preparing America’s Future Initiative.
•Supported America’s community colleges with grants and programs.
•Managed a budget of $2 billion.
Counselor to the U.S. Secretary of Education 2001-2003
•Worked with the Secretary of Education to review policies and programs.
•Reviewed projects and organizations seeking the Secretary’s support and advised further study or action.
•Established and led the national Mathematics and Science Initiative to improve the quality of mathematics and science teaching and learning.
•Established and led the US/China on-line language learning program, CHENGO, with the Chinese Ministry of Education.
• Established the English-speaking coalition of nations at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Education Committee

Chief of Staff for Educational Services for the Houston Independent School District 1992-2001
•Coordinated the administration of all educational services to schools and departments of the 210,000 student school district.
•Supervised research, evaluation, assessment, school administration, school board office, and community relations departments.
•Oversaw the operations of the Office of the Superintendent of Schools and referrals to Superintendent’s Cabinet members.
•Acted as liaison to institutions of higher education, community-based organizations and museums.
•Coordinated strategic planning and accountability for district improvement.
•Supervised technology and information systems for the district, including 
design of $10 million wide-area network system.
•Led the development and implementation of the district’s $15 million Urban Systemic Initiative grant from the National Science Foundation.

Service
Board Member, Character Education Partnership, Washington, DC Board Member, Bernard Harris Foundation, Houston, TX 
Board Member, Executive Committee member, Secretary, and Program Committee chairperson, Longview Foundation, Washington, DC 
Committee Member, National Academies of Science and Engineering Committee on A Skilled Technical Workforce

Education
Ph.D. The University of Texas at Austin, Education Administration Ed.M. The University of Texas at Austin, Education Administration AM University of Chicago, Germanic Languages and Literature AB Vassar College, German and Mathematics 
Graduate of the Cooperative Superintendency Program, a Texas Leadership Development Program 
Graduate of Superintendents Prepared Program, An Urban Leadership Development Consortium 
Participant in the Harvard University Institute of School Leadership Certification as Main Event Management Model-Netics Associate and Co-developer and instructor of the MEM Management Course for Principals.