As Talent Development Secondary (TDS) transitions its field operations from Johns Hopkins University, it has begun the critical work of developing an Advisory Board, laying the ground work for a full-fledged fiduciary board once it obtains its own 501c3 independent status in the next two years.

However, for the next 18 months, while it is “incubating” at the Tides Center, TDS will work on orienting its advisors to its long history of evidence-based practice and impact on our nation’s most challenged secondary schools. This group must necessarily hit the ground running to position TDS for success in the new ESSA environment, supporting outreach in states and districts where TDS is ideally suited to play a transformational role for the nation’s 5% lowest performing schools.

Thus, TDS is very excited to announce the inaugural team of influential and knowledgeable educational and philanthropic leaders who will help position TDS for its successful transition and a bright future.

• Dr. Robert Balfanz, Advisory Board Chair
  Dr. Balfanz is one of the creators of TDS and has a vested interest in ensuring its success outside the university setting. He will serve as the Advisory Board Chair to help establish the organization on a firm footing while continuing to advocate for the role TDS can and should play in our most challenged schools.
• Dr. Lillian Lowery
  Currently serves as the Vice President at EdTrust, responsible for preK-12 policy, research, and practice; former CEO of Future Ready in Columbus and previous Commissioner of both the Maryland Department of Education and that of Delaware.
• Dr. Jean-Claude Brizard
  Senior Fellow of Strategy, Planning and Management at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, where he is focused on helping close the achievement and opportunity gaps in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States as well as advising the K-12 team on its new strategy. Dr. Brizard previously served as CEO of Chicago Public Schools, where he helped to usher in Diplomas Now (TDS as the lead partner) and served as Superintendent in Rochester, NY, where he also worked with TDS and generated strong impacts.
• Jeff Livingston
  Mr. Livingston spent more than a decade as a senior executive at McGraw-Hill Education. Most recently, he was Senior Vice President of Education Policy and Strategic Alliances. He now manages his own consulting business, EdSolutions, Inc., to focus educational innovation and philanthropy on underserved students.
• Dr. John Deasy
  Current CEO of RESET: New, Day, New Year which is an alternative correctional program for young men. Dr. Deasy previously served as the Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District and also played an important role in supporting TDS in LA schools and bringing Diplomas Now into the district as part of the i3-Validation grant from the federal Department of Education in 2010.
• Charles Hiteshew
  Executive Director of Talent Development Secondary and will serve as the Executive Director of this new Advisory Board.

The newly formed board will hold its first board meeting in March.

If you have questions, please contact Charles Hiteshew at chiteshew@tdschools.org.