Martin Orland Joins WestEd As Director of Evaluation Research Program

(06/07/2007) WestEd announced today the appointment of Martin Orland, Ph.D., as its new Director of Evaluation and Research Program. Orland will direct multiple state, regional, and national research and evaluation studies for the nonprofit research, development, and service agency.

Orland brings nearly 20 years of research oversight, policy work, and collaborative leadership from his tenure at the U.S. Department of Education. More recently, he was Senior Program Director for the Division of Behavioral and Social Science and Education, and Director of the Center for Education, at the National Research Council, part of the National Academies.

"Throughout his storied career, Dr. Orland has been an exceptional advocate for rigorous, nonpartisan research," says Glen H. Harvey, WestEd CEO. "As a key national figure in developing evidence-based knowledge for educators, Marty is particularly well-suited for WestEd. We will benefit from his leadership and we look forward to his continued contributions to our field."

"I am delighted to join an organization of WestEd's stature and commitment to producing high quality, objective, and useful research and evaluation services for decision-makers at all levels,” says Orland, who has held leadership positions at the National Research Council, the Institute of Education Sciences, the National Center for Education Statistics, and the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Research. "I'm eager to begin work with WestEd’s team of researchers, evaluators, and policy specialists to help address critical needs in the fields of education and human development."

Orland has overseen numerous, high-profile federal projects, including the creation of the What Works Clearinghouse; publication of annual statistical compilations such as the Condition of Education and Digest of Education Statistics, and the undertaking and dissemination of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). He also has led national research and policy projects for The Finance Project, the National Governors' Association, and the National Education Goals Panel.

He will direct a nationwide staff of methodologists, research scientists, content experts, and evaluators across WestEd’s national offices from an office in metropolitan Washington, D.C.

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About WestEd
WestEd, a national nonpartisan, nonprofit research, development, and service agency, works with education and other communities to promote excellence, achieve equity, and improve learning for children, youth, and adults. WestEd has 16 offices nationwide, from Washington and Boston to Arizona and California. Its corporate headquarters are in San Francisco. More information about WestEd is available at WestEd.org.