Archived: 3/26/97: Ramon C. Cortines to Head Education Research Office

A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

FOR RELEASE
March 26, 1997		Contact: David Thomas
(202)401-1576

RAMON C. CORTINES TO HEAD
EDUCATION RESEARCH OFFICE

U.S. Education Secretary Richard W. Riley announced today the selection of Ramon C. Cortines as deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI). He also will serve as acting assistant secretary until a candidate for assistant secretary is confirmed.

In his former position as an adviser to the secretary since October 1995, Cortines focused on urban issues and school improvement. OERI gathers and shares information about the progress and condition of American education through its National Center for Education Statistics, develops and supports educational research, and supports public, academic, and research libraries.

"It's important that we have the proven leadership of someone like Ray to help the nation address President Clinton's call to action' on setting national standards and testing for all children," Riley said. "The new voluntary tests the president is proposing for the nation's 4th and 8th graders in reading and math will be based on the widely accepted National Assessment of Educational Progress, and, in the case of math, linked to the Third International Math and Science Study. OERI plays a major role in supporting the development of these tests and Ray has the experience, the insight, and the foresight to take charge of this initiative.

"We appreciate Ray's stepping up to help out at this very important time in the development of voluntary national tests in reading and math."

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