ECS at a Time of Transition

The History
The Education Commission of the States (ECS) is in a time of transition. Founded in 1965 to serve the states by making it possible for them to share information and expertise related to public education, the organization – as well as the education policy landscape – has grown and changed significantly since then.

Rethinking the Mission

Shortly after assuming the ECS chairmanship in July 2006, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius set in motion a process aimed at re-establishing ECS as a dynamic force for change and improvement in public education. This process involves systematically and strategically rethinking ECS' mission, goals, priorities, structure and funding. It also involves recruiting a new president with the ability and commitment to build and lead a stronger, smarter, nimbler and more resourceful organization.

The Recommendations
Education policy consultants Cross and Joftus, LLC, were retained to assist with this process and to make recommendations to guide ECS in addressing its immediate challenges and shaping its future. In the course of this process – with the active engagement of the organization's diverse constituencies – current and former staff members, philanthropic and business leaders and other interested parties were solicited regarding specific questions about ECS now and ECS as it can and should be.

Final report from Cross & Joftus which includes the proposed new mission and vision statements (PDF, 305K, 48 pages)
Audio of Chris Cross' presentation at the 2006 ECS Fall Steering Committee Meeting (WAV file, 22.5 megs, 24:35)
Chris Cross' PowerPoint presentation at the 2006 ECS Fall Steering Committee Meeting (574K, 24 slides)

Looking Forward
Roger Sampson now serves as the ECS president. He has had a distinguished career for more than 20 years in Alaska while earning a reputation for quality, innovation and increased student achievement. The State Board of Education & Early Development appointed Sampson as Alaska Commissioner of Education & Early Development in 2003. During Sampson's tenure as Commissioner, the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development established a statewide full-release mentoring program for beginning teachers and administrators in partnership with the University of Alaska. The department also established, with the approval of the Legislature, an innovative public school performance incentive program. Sampson has served in a variety of roles and positions in public schools, including school administrator in both rural and urban Alaska.