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As Assistant Secretary, Dr. Sclafani serves as the principal adviser to the Secretary on all matters related to vocational and adult education. In this position, Dr. Sclafani coordinates department programs and recommends policies to ensure that all Americans have the knowledge and technical skills necessary to succeed in postsecondary education and the workforce. Through the Preparing America's Future Initiative, Dr. Sclafani is working to mobilize effective and scientifically based state and local high school reform initiatives, to support America's community colleges, and to improve adult education programs.

Previously, Dr. Sclafani worked in a variety of roles at the Houston Independent School District, culminating in Chief of Staff for Educational Services. During that time, she coordinated activities directly involved in the education of children, including school administration, educational programming, legal services, and reading initiatives. Prior to that, she had been a teacher of mathematics, a magnet school leader, and a central office administrator in the departments of technology, curriculum development and construction management.

Dr. Sclafani received her A.B. degree from Vassar College, her M.A. in Germanic Languages and Literature from the University of Chicago, and her M.Ed. and Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Sclafani participated in the Cooperative Superintendency Program at the University of Texas while completing her doctoral work. She is also a charter member of Superintendents Prepared, an initiative to identify and train the next generation of urban superintendents.