Executive Vice President of Research at NWEA
About
Beth Tarasawa is relentlessly committed to using data-driven insights to transform education and eliminate structural barriers to achieve equitable outcomes for all students. Beth leads NWEA’s research teams, the Center for School & Student Progress and Collaborative for Student Growth, that are devoted to advancements in assessment and growth measurement, answering fundamental questions to inform policy and practice, and drive educational innovation. She also plays a key role in building collaborations with universities, foundations, and school districts to produce rigorous and accessible educational policy research.
Beth’s research focuses on issues related to educational equity, particularly those concerning social class, race, and linguistic diversity. Her work has been featured by The New York Times, The Washington Post, PBS’s NewsHour, NPR, The Associated Press, CNN, The Atlantic, Education Week, The 74, Children’s Institute, and New America among other outlets. She has received significant grants and research contracts from funders including the National Science Foundation, American Sociological Association, Walton Family Foundation, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and Spencer Foundation. She also teaches in the College of Education at Portland State University.
Prior to joining NWEA, she was a faculty member at Washington State University and St. Norbert College. She earned her PhD and MA in the sociology of education with a concentration in education policy at Emory University.
Research Area Keyword(s):
Sociology
