As Project Coordinator in WestEd’s Assessment and Standards Development Services program, Merle Longenecker works on numerous high-profile local, state, and national standards, assessment, and evaluation projects.

A WestEd staff member since 2004, Longenecker tracks specific tasks and maintains project timelines; trains and supervises staff to answer questions and advise school administrators about how to submit state accountability data; and secures workshop and meeting venues.

Longenecker coordinates a statewide call center that provides support to the Alternative School Accountability Model project for the Educational Options Office of the California Department of Education. She also helps school administrators navigate multiple databases to submit state accountability data for high-risk, high-mobility student populations; and helps develop standardized test items in math, reading, social studies, and science (grades 3 through high school) for state accountability purposes in Kansas.

Longenecker has worked for various companies in all facets of office administration for over 20 years, including working as a bookkeeper, purchasing agent, and office manager.

She received a BA in sociology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.