Our People –
Ford Promoted to Research Associate
Bryan D. Ford was recently promoted from project coordinator to research associate. In this new position, Ford will gain increased management responsibilities in the Research and Evaluation Department. He also will continue to work on Thirteen/WNET projects while he assumes new responsibilities with the current PBS TeacherLine Project.
Smoke-Zur Promoted
Naomi D. Smoke-Zur was recently promoted to research analyst at Hezel Associates. Her increased responsibilities include data analysis, writing and management supervision. Smoke-Zur’s client responsibilities include PBS TeacherLine and the Ohio Longitudinal Data System project. She will continue to supervise the evaluation division’s research assistants. In her previous role as project coordinator, Smoke-Zur contributed both to research and evaluation projects for the company. As the primary developer of Web-based surveys for Hezel Associates’ clients, Smoke-Zur will continue to play an integral part within the organization.
Yusaitis Joins Hezel Associates
Jessica M. Yusaitis joined Hezel Associates’ evaluation division as a research assistant. She is responsible for internet research, data entry and data analysis. Her responsibilities also will include writing reports for data collection projects such as PBS Channel Thirteen/WNET and the Ohio Longitudinal Data System.
McNamee and Tzeng Join Hezel as Research Assistants
The evaluation department recently added two research assistants to the team. Dale Tzeng is a graduate student and Peter McNamee is a student at Syracuse University.
Our Work –
From pools of applicants, The Texas Education Agency, the Ohio Department of Education chose Hezel Associates to fulfill challenging research requirements for statewide programs.
Texas Reading First
Hezel Associates will evaluate activities, materials and providers in the Texas Reading First program throughout a 6-month, renewable period. Planned activities include assessing the quality of Texas’ Reading First program implementation, reviewing the quality of teacher professional development support materials and support services, and examining the strengths and weaknesses of Reading First leadership in Texas schools.
Ohio D3A2
Hezel Associates will conduct early research to help shape the development of Ohio’s Data-Driven Decisions for Academic Achievement (D3A2) program. The project entails an ongoing assessment of the affect of using teacher professional development to build capacity for informing classroom instruction with data. Throughout the course of three years, Hezel Associates will monitor statewide data-usage practices, observe professional development efforts and examine trends in student performance data across the State of Ohio, using various methods of research.
Arizona Articulation Agreement
Hezel Associates will assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the Arizona college transfer system and the system’s impact on participating institutions and students. This six-month, renewable project includes assessing current stakeholders’ experience with the transfer system, analyzing student outcome achievements in the state and recommending further actions for improvement. This is Hezel Associates’ second contract in two years with the Arizona Board of Regents.
Our Ideas –
Hezel Associates is weighing in on education’s hot topics. Look for members of the Hezel team at these upcoming conferences.
- Technology in Education Programs Project Directors Meeting
November 28-30, Washington, D.C.
- Richard T. Hezel, Ph.D, Craig Nicholls, Fran Hurley, Barb Storandt, Bryan Ford and Steve Grossman will attend.
- LERN (Learning Resources Network) Annual Conference
November 29-December 2, Baltimore, MD.
- Betsy Bedigian will attend.
- NorthStar Education Industry Finance & Investment Summit
December 6-8, Washington, D.C.
- Richard T. Hezel, Ph.D will be a panelist during the discussion of International Market Demographics, General Economics and Policies
- The session will discuss, in depth, recent changes to market conditions as well as changes in policies for regions including: China, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Middle East, Ireland, Australia and the UK.
- NETA (National Education Telecommunications Association)
January 25-28, Norfolk, VA.
- Richard T. Hezel will attend.
- eLearning
February 17-20, Albuquerque, NM.
- Richard T. Hezel, Ph.D and Josh Mitchell will co-present a session entitled “Benchmarking for Quality in Distance Learning.”
- This session focuses on two types of benchmarking research: (1) the research surrounding the acquisition of benchmarking data within institutions, and (2) research about the practice of benchmarking in general. Following the discussion of benchmarking research, the presenters will introduce session attendees to a web-based tool that facilitates benchmarking.
- League for Innovation
March 4-7, New Orleans, Lousiana.
- Richard T. Hezel, Ph.D and Josh Mitchell will attend.
- IRR Education Industry Investment Summit
March 26-27, Sunny Isles, FL.
- Richard T. Hezel, Ph.D and Josh Mitchell will attend.
Get the latest conference news for the education sector. Visit www.hezel.com and check out our events page and conference listings.