Senior Research Associate Marycruz Diaz conducts key evaluations of district and school reform, school curricula, and technology-enhanced programs. Her work helps inform clients of the factors that facilitate educational program progress and effectiveness. With this information, clients can make wise decisions about their future programming.

As part of her work in WestEd's Evaluation Research Program, Diaz develops data collection instruments, conducts site visits and interviews, analyzes data, and writes project reports.

She currently directs a Teaching American History project with San Juan Unified School District that assesses teacher professional development in history and its impact on teachers and students. This is a state-of-the-art opportunity for teachers in the district to enhance their knowledge and skill base in teaching history. Ultimately, students in participating teachers’ classrooms will benefit from the increased confidence and resources teachers bring to the classroom.

Diaz also coordinates the evaluation of the California Comprehensive Center where she leads a team that is assessing the Center's technical assistance services and its ability to build the state's capacity to implement No Child Left Behind requirements. Through annual reports and other avenues, Diaz and colleagues have informed the Center of its progress to meet its goals and has influenced its focus in delivering services to the state.

She recently evaluated the California 21st Century High School After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens (ASSETs) Program. Diaz developed a comprehensive evaluation and reporting system and provided technical assistance to high school grantees in data collection and using data to inform program practices. This work led to Diaz coauthoring The ASSETs Final Evaluation Report (and previously the ASSETs Interim Evaluation Report), which focuses on after-school programs that influence California teenagers to improve their academic performance and become well-adjusted adults.

Diaz has presented her evaluation work on after-school projects at national conferences, including the American Evaluation Association, and at local conferences and meetings such as the California State After School Consortium and the San Francisco Bay Area Evaluators Meeting.

She received a BA in sociology and Spanish from the University of California, Davis, and an MA in social sciences in education from Stanford University.