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LM October 2019
O N E W A D D I T I O N S T O T E A M :
Benjamin Boer: Director of Research and Data Analysis
We are thrilled to add Ben Boer to the IASA team in
the newly created role of director of research and data
analysis. Ben will be a tremendous asset this legislative
session. Below is a short Q&A with Ben to help you
learn more about him and his new role at IASA.
Q
:
Whydidyouwant toworkfor IASA?
Having worked with IASA on funding, I got the
opportunity to work with many districts across the
state. All the superintendents that I worked with are
incredibly dedicated to their craft and to supporting
students. IASA provides an opportunity to work with
a cross section of districts that, I hope, I can help
through the use of data and research.
Q
:
Whatpastexperienceshaveyouhad
thatpreparedyoufor thisopportunity?
I have been a data guy for a long time. My
background is in computer science and I worked as
the Vice President of Technology for a company that
sold software systems to school districts. The goal of
the software was to help districts improve their data
use in supporting professional development and later
with student achievement data. As I have worked
in policy the last 10 years, using data to support
policy decisions, in particular the development of the
Evidence-based funding model was a jumping off
point for the current position.
Q
:
Whatwill beyour roleandduties
withIASA?
All things data! And the use of research as well. As
Brent has discussed, the coming years will continue
to see conversations about funding, taxes, student
achievement, and accountability. The ability to bring
data to each of these conversations will be key
to making decisions. For example, while property
taxes are somewhat higher than the national
average in Illinois, the degree that they are too high
is proportionally less than our state investment in
education is too low. Lowering property taxes without
a dramatic increase in investment (above and beyond
the minimum level now being invested) would be very
hard for districts.
Bio information
Hometown:
Harrington Park, New Jersey
Current City:
Chicago
Education:
B.S. and M.S., Brown University
M.P.P. University of Chicago
Pursuing Doctorate Education
Policy Studies
Family:
Wife, Rachel; Kids, Charlotte (14)
and Mia (11)
Q
:
What’sonethingaboutyouthat
wouldsurprisepeople?
That’s really hard! Perhaps how much I like
the outdoors. I like to mountain bike and hike.
My wife, kids and I went to Alaska for our 20th
wedding anniversary and went sea kayaking
for 5 days, camping and such. It was incredibly
beautiful. Right after the boat dropped us off in
the middle of nowhere, miles from civilization, a
bear walked down the beach we were camping
at, luckily we screamed at it and it went away. I
really never want to have to use bear spray.
continued...