Donald Easton-Brooks, dean of the College of Education and Human Development, was selected by members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to be a panelist to examine ways the National Center for Educational Statistics could assist the next generation of educational professionals and learners as they work with and navigate the United States educational systems from pre-kindergarten through graduate degree.
Along with other top scholars from major research institutions and educational organizations, this six-month project produced the consensus study report “A Vision and Roadmap for Education Statistics.”
“I am excited to be a contributor to this great work using data and statistics to move our communities forward,” Easton-Brooks said.
Easton-Brooks was nominated to be on the panel as he is internationally known as a critical quantitative, culturally responsive scholar and leader. He has authored or co-authored more than 125 manuscripts and presentations examining the effects of systems, policies and practices on academic outcomes and the success of students from marginalized communities.
“This work is timely, as it allowed the panel to look back at how data has been used to improve education in the U.S.," Easton-Brooks said. "This work also allowed the panel to examine the type of data needed to engage with a much more diverse education community of today and beyond.”
As the student populations are becoming more diverse in the United States, the research regarding their experiences has exploded. There is an intense focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility as educators at all levels want to implement evidence-based approaches in their classrooms.
With awareness of this changing landscape, the Institute of Education Sciences at the U.S. Department of Education asked the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to provide a vision for the National Center for Education Statistics – the nation's premier statistical agency for collecting, analyzing and disseminating statistics in education.
The report assists the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in developing a path forward as the center gathers and uses data to enhance the educational landscape and opportunities for this next diverse generation of learners.
"A Vision and Roadmap for Education Statistics" reviews data from multidisciplinary fields, looks at recent trends and provides suggestions for priorities and changes to programs and operations within the National Center for Education Statistics. The report also offers strategic advice for NCES in all aspects of the agency's work, including modernization, stakeholder engagement and the resources necessary to complete its mission and meet the current and future challenges in education.
"I have used data from NCES to research challenges associated with the impacts of education and educational systems on marginalized students," Easton-Brooks said. "The data I gathered from NCES allowed me to assist states in creating data-informed policies, creating programs to elevate the educational opportunities of students from marginalized communities, and conducting research findings that have been used to shape the educational policies of communities across the globe. I believe this report will be beneficial in shaping educational policies and practice as we move our educational systems forward.”
Easton-Brooks is the recipient of the 2019 Philip C. Chinn Book Award from the National Association of Multicultural Education for his book, Ethnic Matching: Academic Success of Students of Color. He received the 2020 Neuner Award for Excellence in Professional-Scholarly Publication for a co-authored article in the Journal of Higher Education Management. He has or currently serves on regional and national boards for the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education; WestEd; and the Council of Academic Deans from Research Education Institutions. He is a co-founder of the Coalition of Black Education Deans. He serves as part of the Senior Scholars on Advancing Research and Professional Development Related to Black Education through the American Educational Research Association. Easton-Brooks is a section editor for the Handbook of Research on Teachers of Color and Indigenous Teachers and is on the Editorial Review Board for Urban Education.
