Alex Duran, Ph.D.

Tucson, AZ 85743

520-260-4122 alexdurannomi@gmail.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/alexduranphd

Executive Education Business Developer with Expertise in Assessment & Marketing

With a passion for envisioning, developing, and providing high quality and effective products and services that exceed client expectations and significantly advance new business relationships and opportunities. Thrive on developing and advancing innovative ideas to provide solutions for attaining sustainable and desirable results. Proven ability to identify and meet client needs, monitor competitor activities, analyze market, and develop and provide superior industry products and services. Work experiences include small to large non-profit, educational, and government institutions. Assessment / Accountability Business Development / Marketing Contract Negotiation / Strategic Planning Customer Service / Solutions Driven Innovative Product Development Professional Development / Leadership Research / Evaluation Thought Leadership / Partnership

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Educational Testing Service, Sacramento, CA

K-12 Assessment Project Management

2012-2013

Executive Director Provided solutions for advancing Californias changing statewide K-12 Standards, Testing, Assessment & Reporting (STAR) and the California English Language Development Test (CELDT) programs. Responsibilities included client and project management, quality control, assessment development, psychometric analysis, data management and reporting, research and development, technology, monitoring competitor activities, contracts, test security, and communications. Oversaw development and implementation of innovative computer based pilot test to provide technological solutions for advancing current and evolving client assessment needs. Reviewed market analysis and monitored competitor activity to develop and provide superior products and customer service that exceeded client expectations and created competitive edge. Conducted research and developed solutions for realigning current assessments to support field practitioners in transitioning toward new state standards, assessments, and policy initiatives. Collaborated with strategic stakeholders to realign web based information systems to provide solutions for evolving transitional standards, policies and assessments. Awarded $54 million contract extension by providing transformational thought leadership, innovative high quality industry products, and excellent customer service. Received full release of annually withheld $5.4 million in contractually retained fees for the state program by adhering to Operational Best Practices to meet all quality assurance requirements. Developed and successfully negotiated win-win contract amendments to redefine procedures that improved delivery of materials by two months to reduce expenses and improve margin. Improved operational efficiencies to exceed targeted annual profit margin by $.5 million by strategically meeting performance metrics designed to advance the organizational vision. Negotiated service, product, and pricing agreements and promoted organizational brand known for superior industry products and services to create and advance new business opportunities.

Alex Duran, Ph.D.

(520-260-4122)

Page Two 2010-2012

Office of the Pima County School Superintendents Office, Tucson, AZ

K Higher Education Leadership, Professional Development, and Technical Data Support

Director of Research and Evaluation Successfully developed and managed county research, data, assessment, and evaluation projects while providing Professional Development and data analysis support to districts, schools, universities, and other educational agencies throughout Arizona to provide solutions for school improvement initiatives. Developed new business opportunities by recruiting new clients to fund support services that provided solutions for client needs (e.g., Professional Development and data analysis). Developed, marketed, and supported implementation of products and services that added value and provided solutions for high level executives across client organizations. Aligned adult learner programs with new and evolving academic standards, assessments, and market demands while serving on university and state academic faculties and committees. Provided solutions for successfully transitioning universities, districts, and schools toward new college- and career-ready initiatives while serving as a thought partner on strategic teams. Sunnyside Unified School District, Tucson, AZ
K-12 Administration Senior Organizational Leader

1999-2010

Director of Research, Assessment, & Evaluation Managed all district research, assessment, evaluation, data, and reporting services and also served as the districts assessment and accountability advisor to the Arizona Department of Education. Designed and managed development of innovative data information and reporting systems needed to support the continued improvement of curriculum, instruction, and learner outcomes. Provided Professional Development to advance the districts capacity to interpret and use timely data effectively to continually improve instruction and learning. Developed strategic partnerships with policymakers to change state certification requirements and provided recommendations for improving state assessment and accountability systems. EDUCATION Post-Doctoral, Educational Leadership University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ Ph.D., Educational Psychology University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ M.A., Educational Psychology University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ B.A., Psychology University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ CERTIFICATIONS Superintendents Certificate Structured English Immersion, Full Endorsement

Alex Duran, Ph.D.

(520-260-4122) PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Page Three

Arizona Department of Education Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, former committee member Professional Development Leadership Academy, former faculty member State Assessment and Accountability Advisory, former committee member National American Educational Research Association Outstanding Publications, former co-chair National Association of Test Directors, former board member US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, former member State / Local Arizona Educational Research Association, former board member California Department of Educations Technical Advisory Committee Governors RTTT, former committee member University of Arizona Pima Educational Research Collaborative, former co-chair University of Arizona Professional Preparation Board, former member PRESENTATIONS Arizona Department of Education Summit II (2012) Panel Discussant on Dialogue on Assessment Measures When Looking at Using Student Performance Measures in a Comprehensive System to Improve Teaching and Learning Arizona Ready Symposiums on Effective Data Use (2011) Arizona Department of Education Professional Development Leadership Academy Summit (2011) Going Deeper with Data Career and Technology Education Symposium (2010) Assessments for Instruction, Interpreting and Using Data to Alter Instructional Strategies Arizona Educational Research Organization Conference (2008) Panel Discussant on Future of Assessment in Arizona: What do we want students to know and how will we assess it? American Educational Research Association Conference (2006) Division H School Evaluation and Program Development co-chair for Outstanding Publications Awards Educational Law Association Conference (2004) Presentation on Factors to Consider When Evaluating School Accountability Results Arizona Association of School Psychologist Conference (2003) Presentation on Adequate Yearly Progress vs. One-Years-Growth PUBLICATION Factors to Consider When Evaluating School Accountability Results, 2005, Journal of Law & Education