(Courtesy of SMU)

President Obama nominated Dean David Chard of the Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development to the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences recently.

Chard will work with 14 other board members to oversee and direct the work of the Institute of Education Sciences, which is responsible for collecting and analyzing education research data.

The Institute also works to fund researchers around the country who are working to improve education, specifically for at risk students.

In addition to these tasks, the Institute is also in charge of the Nation’s Report Card.

Chard, who is the Leon Simmons Endowed Dean, has proved his dedication to education, research and teaching as both a community and national leader.

“Dr. Chard’s nomination to the National Board for Education Sciences is recognition of his lifetime dedication to helping children learn,” President R. Gerald Turner said. “As a scientist, his work is a model of the importance of evidence-based research in the development of education policy and curriculum. As a leader, he brings this same sense of innovation to preparing Simmons School students to become exceptional teachers and leaders.”

Since becoming dean in 2007, he has helped the school of education and human development become known as a research center in America.

“Through his research, teaching and leadership, he is in the forefront of providing new insights into the way students learn and how teachers can be more effectively trained in reaching young learners,” Turner said in a press release.

He obtained his Bachelor’s of Science from Central Michigan University and then earned his P.h.D. from the University of Oregon.

He has served on many boards that support high quality educational opportunities for children such as the International Academy for Research in Learning Disabilities.

Chard was asked by the White House to not comment on his nomination until being confirmed by the Senate.