Former Mass. Education Commissioner Driscoll joins Fordham Foundation

October 11, 2007

by Jeffrey Kuhner

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- On Tuesday, the trustees of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute and Thomas B. Fordham Foundation unanimously elected former Massachusetts education commissioner David P. Driscoll to membership on the two governing boards.

A career public-school educator, member of the National Assessment Governing Board and former president of the Council of Chief State School Officers, Dr. Driscoll recently retired from the Massachusetts Department of Education.

"No state education leader in America has a stronger track record-or keener intellect-than Dave Driscoll," said Fordham President Chester E. Finn, Jr. "On his watch, Massachusetts made awesome strides on its academic standards, its accountability system, its teacher policies and far more. It also has one of the nation's strongest charter-school programs. And, as recent NAEP data show, the results are truly impressive. We at Fordham are honored by Dave's willingness to join in our work. We already had a strong board; now we have a fantastic one."

As one of nine board members, Dr. Driscoll will help oversee the Institute's and Foundation's national research as well as its on-the-ground work in Ohio, including participation in the board's Ohio Policy and Sponsorship Committee.

"I am delighted to be joining the Fordham boards and the distinguished individuals who currently serve on them," Dr. Driscoll said. "Fordham is one of the more effective organizations in the country in providing much-needed straight information and candid opinions that challenge the status quo and help cause changes that will benefit students. One occasionally hears or reads that Fordham and Finn are arch conservatives out to undo public education. Wrong. They are out to tell the real truth about things so that public education and, more importantly, the children it serves, can meet the mission of having the overwhelming majority of students perform at levels comparable to high international standards."

Dr. Driscoll recently retired after 43 years in public education, the last eight as Massachusetts commissioner of education. During his tenure, Bay State students made dramatic gains on the Nation's Report Card, besting other states in almost every category.

Dr. Driscoll earned his Bachelor's Degree in mathematics at Boston College, his Master's Degree in Educational Administration from Salem State College, and his Doctorate in Education Administration from Boston College. He is the youngest of 10 children. His wife, Kathleen, is a reading teacher at North Shore Vocational High School. The Driscolls have four children and three grandchildren. They live in Melrose, Massachusetts.