Dirk Mattson to Join Measured Progress; Will Focus on Assessment Innovation, Common Core

DOVER, N.H., May 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Dirk Mattson will assume the position of Vice President of Assessment Program Design, Development, and Operations at Measured Progress effective next month. He will provide strategic leadership to the company with an emphasis on innovative, next-generation assessment solutions.

Mattson has worked with the Minnesota Department of Education since 2003, most recently serving as Director of Research and Assessment. He played a prominent role in an eight-state consortium the U.S. Department of Education funded to create and define Accessible Portable Item Profile (APIP) standards. APIP enables states to use a standard language for computer-based test items, which ensures that items are accessible for students who need testing accommodations and portable across computer-based assessment delivery systems. Leaders and staff from Measured Progress's Nimble division also collaborated on APIP.

Mattson will work with Nimble to integrate APIP into Measured Progress's assessment platforms. In addition, he will oversee the development of an assessment blueprint for the common core standards and will work closely with the item development and production groups, providing oversight for the company's strategic efforts.

Mattson is a veteran educator with extensive experience as a teacher, administrator, and curriculum coordinator. He holds a doctorate in curriculum and instruction, a master's degree in English, and a bachelor's degree in secondary education with an emphasis on English and social studies. In addition to his APIP work, he has an impressive list of published papers, conference presentations, and collegial activities.

Mattson's recruitment is part of a long-term strategy to broaden Measured Progress's ability to help state and local clients attain their evolving assessment goals. In addition to acquiring Nimble in 2010, the purchased Redding, California-based Datawise earlier this year and is building internal capacity to produce next-generation assessment tools and technology.

"The addition of Dirk to our leadership team comes at a dynamic time for our company," said Measured Progress President Martin Borg. "His extensive experience and singular insights into education and assessment are exactly the attributes we need to foster our continued growth and serve current and future clients by developing products and services to improve teaching and learning in the 21st century classroom."

Measured Progress is a Dover, New Hampshire-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to student learning and improving instruction in the standards-based classroom. Since 1983, Measured Progress has successfully partnered with more than half of the states across the nation in support of programs that have affected millions of students. The organization develops state- and district-level assessments and is the nation's leading provider of alternate assessment for students with cognitive disabilities. In addition, Measured Progress offers professional development services and products that assist educators in creating and using assessment to measure student achievement and improve instruction. www.measuredprogress.org

SOURCE Measured Progress