Albany, New York 12207
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For Immediate Release: Thursday, August 17, 2006

Albany - Charter Schools Institute Executive Director James D. Merriman announced today the appointment of Simeon Stolzberg as Senior Analyst. Mr. Stolzberg will join the Institute’s accountability team, evaluating student academic data and helping schools to develop accountability plans and to report on their progress toward plan goals. In addition, he will participate in informal, annual and renewal school visits. His strong education and policy analysis experience will make a vital contribution to the subsequent reports that are developed, informing school communities and the broader public about each school’s performance. Mr. Stolzberg will also assist in the development and execution of the Institute's research agenda, perform statistical analyses, and provide technical guidance to schools as needed.

“We have had the opportunity to work with Simeon in the past in his capacity as an education consultant on both a research project and recent school visit,” said Merriman. “Simeon has a clear vision of the rigor with which the Institute must conduct its reviews. His experience as a former charter school founder and consultant give him a unique and valuable perspective.”

Prior to joining the Institute, Mr. Stolzberg managed his own consulting practice, advising charter schools across the country in their application and planning phases. He also served as Middle School Director for the Beginning with Children Charter School in Brooklyn, New York. In 2002, as a Building Excellent Schools Fellow, Mr. Stolzberg wrote the prospectus and application for the Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter School (BArT) in Massachusetts; the school was one of only five schools approved by the state that year. Previously Mr. Stolzberg taught history and law at the Friendship-Edison Collegiate Academy Charter School and at Theodore Roosevelt Senior High School in Washington, D.C., and served as a research analyst for three years at Westat, Inc., where he evaluated federal education programs and co-authored numerous publications on such topics as Americorps and Title I allocations.

“The Charter Schools Institute’s commitment to accountability, transparency and high standards drew me to this position,” said Stolzberg. “It presented a unique opportunity to apply my own experience as both a teacher and a founder of a charter school. I am so pleased to be part of the Institute’s team as it works to continually raise the bar for New York State charter schools.”

Mr. Stolzberg received his Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Georgetown University and his Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, with independent studies in education and political economy, from Williams College.

The Charter Schools Institute was created by the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York to help them in carrying out their responsibilities under the Charter Schools Act of 1998, including the review of new school applications, ongoing oversight and evaluation, and reviewing schools when they come up for charter renewal. The Institute has become recognized as a national leader in the public charter school movement, with extensive experience in charter schools and all aspects of public education, including curriculum development, school operations, accountability, fiscal oversight and program development.