NCEED Welcomes its Inaugural Director, Dr. Meria Carstarphen: 

At the National Center for Elimination of Educational Disparities (NCEED), we are committed to reshaping the educational landscape for minority and low-income children nationwide. Our mission is clear: change the trajectories of Black, Latinx and low income children in public schools in Maryland and across the United States, from underachievement, low attendance rates, high drop-out rates and inadequate preparation for college and career, to one in which they have the opportunity to achieve their full potential, regardless of zip code and socio-economic status.

Guided by a profound commitment to equity and excellence, NCEED delves into impactful areas of work. From research pinpointing the educational needs of marginalized communities to developing innovative practices that foster achievement, we are at the forefront of transformative change.

We are thrilled to announce Dr. Meria Carstarphen as our inaugural Director. With over two decades of visionary leadership in education, Dr. Carstarphen brings a wealth of experience in driving student success and organizational excellence. Her proven track record of elevating outcomes in diverse educational settings demonstrates unparalleled expertise and dedication.

Dr. Carstarphen's strategic leadership has left an indelible mark on over 800,000 students, 20,000 employees, and numerous schools across the nation. As a steadfast advocate for educational equity, she has spearheaded transformative initiatives in major metropolitan school districts, including Atlanta, Austin, and Saint Paul.

Her current work is focused on solving global illiteracy by integrating human and artificially intelligent learning systems to teach the science of reading. Dr. Carstarphen's innovative approach bridges the gap between technology and education, paving the way for a brighter future for learners worldwide. Under Dr. Carstarphen's guidance, NCEED is poised to embark on a transformative journey towards educational equity and excellence. We look forward to advancing research, fostering innovation, and advocating for policies that uplift the voices of marginalized students.

Join us as we embark on a mission to redefine educational possibilities for all, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive and succeed, regardless of background.  NCEED is poised to pioneer innovative strategies, create impactful models of practice, and evaluate their effectiveness to ensure scalable and sustainable solutions for educational equity. We are thrilled to embark on this journey with Dr. Carstarphen at the helm, as we work towards a future where every child has the resources and support needed to thrive academically and beyond.

Welcome, Dr. Meria Carstarphen, to NCEED, where passion, dedication, and a shared commitment to educational equity drive our collective efforts to redefine the educational landscape for generations to come.

SHORT BIO:

Dr. Meria Carstarphen has more than 20 years of transformational leadership and executive management experience in education, with a track record of dramatically improving student and organizational outcomes. Nationally recognized as a successful and experienced public education leader skilled at managing billion-dollar organizations efficiently and effectively, her collective impact spans over 800,000 students, more than 20,000 employees and hundreds of schools. Over her career, she has served as teacher and administrator, and, in the role of superintendent, led the major metropolitan American public school districts including Atlanta, Georgia; Austin, Texas; and Saint Paul, Minnesota. After the superintendency, she joined Gallup as a Senior Scientist, their first ever in education. Her current work is focused on solving global illiteracy by integrating human and artificially intelligent learning systems to teach the science of reading. She also has experience in research, journalism, and documentary photography. She is a recovering marathon runner and dedicated mentor to many. Dr. Carstarphen hails from Selma, Alabama, where she was born and raised in a family of four girls.

Mission Statement

The mission of the NCEED is to alter the trajectories of Black, Latinx and low income children in public schools in Maryland and across the United States, from underachievement, low attendance rates, high drop-out rates and inadequate preparation for college and career, to one in which they have the opportunity to achieve their full potential, regardless of zip code and socio-economic status.  The Center will achieve its mission through the following areas of work:

1.  research that clearly identifies the educational needs of Black children

2.  research that builds a body of knowledge that is specific to the education of Black, Latinx and low-income children, in the areas of curriculum and pedagogy, initial and continuing teacher preparation, urban school leadership, guidance and counseling, social and emotional well-being, health and nutritional needs, school/community relations and family engagemendevelopment of materials and models of practice that optimize the achievement of these children

3.  rigorous evaluation of those materials and models to assess both effectiveness and scalability.

4.  policy analysis and advocacy.