Contact: Dane Linn

EXPERTISE

Duties: Directs research, policy analysis, technical assistance, and resource development for the Education Division, which provides information on best practices in early childhood, elementary and secondary, and postsecondary education. Areas of focus include teacher quality, turning around low-performing schools, high school redesign, reading, access and success in postsecondary education, extra learning opportunities, and school readiness. Linn is a national expert in the areas of K-12 education including high schools, education technology, and teaching and accountability.

CURRENT PROJECTS

The division is focusing on several key policy issues including the creation of a birth to five early childhood system in three states. In addition, the education division has been working with ten states to develop and implement a high school agenda aimed at graduating more students who are college and career ready. Several additional areas of work include the development of a policy agenda aimed at improving the quality of the teacher and leadership workforce; expanding supports to students and families; creating a national advisory group to help states internationally benchmark their educational systems; assisting states to create multiple pathways for students including charter schools; expanding access and success to advanced placement courses; and developing policies to increase access and success to a postsecondary education with a focus on low-income and minority populations.

BACKGROUND

Previous Positions: Coordinator, Office of Special Education Programs, West Virginia Department of Education; Principal, Guyan Valley Elementary School; Assistant Principal and Teacher, Matheny Grade School

Education: Ph.D. candidate, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; M.S., West Virginia Graduate College; B.S., Cabrini College

Professional Memberships: Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, American Association of School Administration, Council for Exceptional Children, Phi Delta Kappa

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Linn, Dane, "Incentive pay in Education--Using Financial Incentives to Attract and Retain Quality Teachers" (NGA Center for Best Practices: 2000).

Linn, Dane, "What Governors Need to Know about Including Students with Disabilities in Statewide Assessments and Accountability Systems" (NGA Center for Best Practices: 1999).

Linn, Dane, "High School Exit Exams: Setting High Expectations" (NGA Center for Best Practices: 1998).

Linn, Dane ed., "State Strategies for Incorporating Technology into Education" (NGA Center for Best Practices: 1997).

Linn, Dane, "Financing America's Public Schools" (NGA Center for Best Practices: 1998).

Linn, Dane, "Charter Schools: Challenging Traditions and Changing Attitudes" (NGA Center for Best Practices: 1998).

Linn, Dane, "State Scholarship Programs to Assist & Retain Postsecondary Students" (NGA Center for Best Practices: 1998).

Linn, Dane, "Preparing Students for the Twenty-First Century" (NGA Center for Best Practices: 1998).