Grant called her new role as executive director of Harvard University's Center for Educational Policy Research “one of the greatest opportunities.”
“Part of the vision is to really work with states and localities across the country on how to leverage research into investment,” Grant said in an interview. These insights will be critical in the coming months as schools prepare for the expiration of a $122 billion federal relief package meant to reopen buildings, address mental health needs, and support students who have fallen behind academically. It will be. “It is an organization that is committed to bridging the gap between research in K-12 education and what high-quality research can provide as that research progresses.”
Grant has led the Washington, D.C., state oversight office for most of the pandemic, and has earmarked $35 million for “high-impact” tutoring to help children regain the math and reading skills they lost during virtual learning. spent. During her tenure, the city also adopted new social studies standards, including increased representation of people of color, and became the first jurisdiction in the country with universal menstrual health standards.
But Ms Grant has also faced criticism for her agency's handling of transportation services for 4,000 children with physical and intellectual disabilities. A Washington, D.C., parent group and a disability rights organization filed a lawsuit last week alleging that officials are not getting students to and from school on time, causing disruption and, in some cases, threatening students' health.
A spokesperson for the regulator declined to comment on the lawsuit because the agency does not comment on pending litigation. But officials, including Grant, have long acknowledged problems with school bus service, pointing to a national driver shortage. Authorities created a website showing which buses were running late and promised to compensate families who made alternative travel arrangements for their children.
Grant replaced Hansul Kang, who retired at the end of 2020 as state superintendent, and came to Washington, D.C., after serving as director of charter schools and innovation for the Philadelphia School District, according to her biography. She has also previously served as superintendent of the Great Oaks Foundation, deputy executive director of the New York City Department of Education, and a teacher in the Harlem public schools.
This story will be updated.
