Using strategic planning and data-driven decision-making to stimulate organizational dynamics and influence scales of effectiveness, Jerry Malitz helps clients successfully launch, analyze, and redesign programs and processes to support data and research priorities. By helping align requirements with client and user needs, by conducting targeted reviews, by developing effective processes, and through targeted training, technical assistance and data coaching, Malitz provides innovative, effective, and timely data and research solutions to clients, their staff, and customers.

At the U.S. Department of Education, Jerry Malitz served in a senior leadership role as the first Chief Information Technology Officer at the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). In this role he conceptualized, designed, and implemented information technologies across the Institute. Prior to that he served as the Chief Technology Officer and Webmaster at the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), where he was the creative director in spearheading improvements in serving the needs of customers, management, and staff through the NCES website. Before taking those positions at IES and NCES, Malitz was responsible for the initial development of the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the Course Classification System, the Student and the Staff Data Handbooks for Elementary, Secondary, and Early Childhood Education. He led the Migrant Student Record Exchange Task Force, and he was the U.S. Department of Education’s project director for the SPEEDE/ExPRESS project as well as managing several surveys including NPSAS, IPEDS, and VEDS.

Mr. Malitz has produced several books, videos, and training sessions on data use and on the use of technology in education, and he has designed numerous applications for the dissemination and collection of information through the web.

Mr. Malitz continues to work with federal agencies, associations, State Education Departments, and postsecondary institutions, designing research approaches, putting the proper data tools at the disposal of education practitioners, and providing instruction on how to best use them to inform decision-making.

Lisa Kessler is an experienced Education Research Analyst with a strong track record in school recruitment for large-scale national studies. She excels at building relationships with states, districts and schools, navigating complex approval processes, and meeting ambitious participation goals. With a Master of Education and a data-driven mindset, she translates recruitment outcomes into actionable insights to inform project strategies. Lisa is passionate about using research to elevate student outcomes and ensure diverse voices are represented in education studies.

Kathleen Flanagan has led numerous evaluation and large-scale assessment projects. Innovative course modules that show educators how to take charge of classroom and school outcomes are available at chartingyourowncourse.com.

Kristi is a sociologist with expertise in research design, data analysis, and stakeholder communications. At NCES, she led the Digest of Education Statistics, which is a core statistical reference that covers education topics from early childhood to K-12, post-secondary, and adult outcomes, all across several equity dimensions. Her prior experience includes working with state and local education organizations, including the city of Newark, NJ, and Saint Louis Public Schools, on community-driven research projects. Kristi has more than 10 years of experience with quantitative data analysis and writing for technical and non-technical audiences.