ICYMI: Department of Education Creates New Chief Economist Role, Appoints Jordan Matsudaira

In June, the Department of Education created a new Chief Economist position to work with the Chief Data Officer, the Institute for Education Sciences, the Budget Service, Financial Aid, and many other departments and organizations to streamline new innovations for students and borrowers, leading with evidence-based research to improve the education system. Specifically, the new position will work with partners to:

1. “Provide the best-possible analysis and advice to guide real-time policymaking.

2. Conduct rigorous research to further key elements of the Department’s learning agenda.

3. Build a culture of experimentation, including partnerships with leading social science researchers to pilot-test new ways to serve students and borrowers; and

4. Serve as a liaison to the research community so that leading researchers’ insights and evidence inform our agenda and we can work together to build the evidence and research base on how best to strengthen education.”

Jordan Matsudaira, who also serves as the Deputy Under Secretary to the Department of Education, was named to serve as ED’s first Chief Economist.