SMU Dean David Chard sworn in as member of National Board for Education Sciences

David Chard, dean of SMU’s Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development, was sworn in as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences on Wednesday, June 20. The 15-member board oversees and directs the work of the Institute of Education Sciences.

As the research arm of the U.S. Department of Education, the institute collects and analyzes education research data and funds researchers nationwide who are working to improve education outcomes for all students, particularly those at risk. In addition, the institute produces the Nation’s Report Card. Chard will serve a three-year term.

Presiding over the swearing-in ceremonies was U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

Also sworn in as new members of the board were Adam Gamoran, the John D. MacArthur Professor of Sociology and Educational Policy Studies and Director of the Wisconsin Center for Education Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; Judith Singer, the James Bryant Conant Professor of Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education and Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Development and Diversity, Harvard University; and Hirokazu Yoshikawa, the Walter H. Gale Professor of Education and Academic Dean, Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Other members of the board include Deborah Loewenberg Ball, dean of the School of Education and William H. Payne Collegiate Professor at the University of Michigan; Anthony S. Bryk, president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching; Robert C. Granger, president of the William T. Grant Foundation; Margaret R. "Peggy" McLeod, Educational Consultant, Washington, D.C.; and Robert A. Underwood, president of the University of Guam.

Chard, the Leon Simmons Endowed Dean, is a frequently published education scholar and former public school teacher. He has served as dean of SMU’s Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education since 2007.  He came to SMU from the University of Oregon, where he was associate dean for the College of Education. Under his leadership, the Simmons School provides a new doctoral program as well as eight master’s degrees, graduate certificate programs and undergraduate degrees for nearly 1,000 students.

Dedicated to education reform through evidence-based research, Chard’s research and development projects have been awarded more than $11 million in federal, state and private grants.

“I am honored to serve on the National Board for Education Sciences as a researcher, educator, and a representative of SMU,” Chard said when Senate-approval of his appointment was announced in May. “I look forward to working with colleagues so we may create a stronger understanding of what educators can do to teach all students, regardless of conditions.”

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