W. Christopher Brandt, PhD has more than 20 years of experience in education as an elementary teacher, college instructor, district assessment director, and research scientist. He is a What Works Clearinghouse (WWC)-certified reviewer who has led numerous impact and implementation studies for the Institute of Education Sciences, the U.S. Department of Education, state education agencies, and foundations.

Chris’ current projects focus on four areas: (1) evaluation of innovative assessment programs, (2) assessment for 21st Century Skills development, (3) reimagining accountability systems design, and (4) Networked Improvement Communities. He is the external evaluator of North Carolina’s Innovative Assessment Demonstration Authority (IADA) program, and he provides ongoing technical support for North Carolina and New Mexico to support accountability redesign. He recently completed literature reviews and scoring rubrics to support classroom assessment of creativity and self-directed learning. Chris also supports the International Baccalaureate program, where he is developing classroom-based tools for assessing students’ creative thinking. He has also spent several years working with the Region 5 Comprehensive Center to launch local Networked Improvement Communities in four mid-Atlantic states.

Chris is the AERA Division H program co-chair and a member of the NCME Committee on Diversity in Testing (CODIT). Prior to working at the Center, he served as deputy director of the Standards, Assessment, and Accountability Services (SAAS) Program at WestEd and vice president of IMPAQ International. His responsibilities included division oversight, strategic planning, and business development.

Chris earned his PhD in educational psychology from the University of Georgia.

Recent Publications:

Brandt, W. C. (2023). Measuring student success skills: A review of the literature on creative thinking. Dover, NH: National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment.

Domaleski, C., D’Brot, J., Pinsonneault, L., Gong, B., & Brandt, C. (2023). The path forward for school accountability: Practical ways to improve school accountability systems now. National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment.

Brandt, W.C. (2022, July). External evaluation of North Carolina’s Innovative Assessment Demonstration Authority (IADA) pilot program: The North Carolina Personalized Assessment Tool (NCPAT). National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment.

Meyers, C.V., Brandt, W.C., and VanGronigan, B.A. (2022). State ESSA plans and comprehensive support and improvement (CSI) status. Educational Policy, 1-28.

Brandt, W.C. (2021, November). Measuring student success skills: A review of the literature on creativity. National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment.

Brandt, W.C. (2020, March). Measuring student success skills: A review of the literature on self-directed learning. National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment.

Report on the impact of COVID-19 on student achievement in New Mexico. National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment.

D’Brot, J., Landl, E., Domaleski, C., and Brandt, C. (2020). Restart & recovery: Considering the outlook for school accountability: State guidance for making annual accountability determinations in school year 2020-2021 and beyond. Washington D.C: Council of Chief State School Officers.

Marion, S., Domaleski, C., and Brandt, W.C. (2020, January). Assessment and accountability recommendations for the next reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment.

Blog Posts Authored by Chris Brandt