Irwin Kirsch directs the Center for Global Assessment at Educational Testing Service (ETS).  Since joining ETS in 1984, Dr. Kirsch has developed and directed a number of large-scale assessments in the area of literacy, including the 1992 National Adult Literacy Survey, and was one of the leaders in establishing the first ever comparative international assessment of adult literacy.  ETS presented him with its Research Scientist Award for his work in the area and named him as an ETS Distinguished Presidential Appointee in 1999.  The National Center for Literacy acknowledged his professional contributions to the field with their 2007 Leadership Award.

More recently, Dr. Kirsch has been involved with the development and conduct of several large-scale national and international surveys including the Adult Literacy and Life Skills survey with Statistics Canada and the Literacy Assessment and Monitoring Program with the UNESCO Institute for Statistics.   He also serves as chair of the Reading Expert Group for PISA (the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment) and as Project Director for PIAAC, a new international survey of adult skills for the 21^st century.

In addition to his project work, Dr. Kirsch is a member of the ETS Research Management Team, serves as an ad hoc reviewer for several journals, and has authored or co-authored a series of monographs for the ETS Policy Information Center on education and workforce readiness issues including America’s Perfect Storm.  His research interests include the psychology of literacy, issues of comparability and interpretability in large-scale assessments, and using technology to link learning and assessment.

Julie Strawn is a Senior Fellow with the Center for Law and Social Policy.  Her work focuses on state and federal postsecondary education, basic skills, and workforce development policies.  From 1993 to 1996, Ms. Strawn developed policy and legislative positions for the National Governors’ Association in the areas of workforce development and welfare reform.  From 1985 to 1993, she worked on these issues at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and in the U.S. House of Representatives. She has authored numerous publications and provided technical assistance to state and federal policymakers, practitioners, and program administrators.  She holds a masters degree in public policy from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University.  Her recent publications include:

Christopher Mazzeo, Brandon Roberts, and Julie Strawn.  The Pathways to Advancement Project: How States Can Expand Postsecondary Educational Opportunities for Working Adults.  January 2009.  Washington, DC: National Governors' Association.

Amy Ellen Duke-Benfield and Julie Strawn.  Congress Expands Student Aid and Supports Innovation in Student Success, Basic Skills and Workforce Partnerships.  September 2008.  Washington, DC: Center for Law and Social Policy.

Amy Ellen Duke and Julie Strawn.  Overcoming Obstacles, Optimizing Opportunities: State Policies to Increase Postsecondary Attainment for Low-Skilled Adults.  March 2008.  Policy brief written for the Breaking Through Initiative.  Boston: Jobs for the Future.

Betsy McKay
Director, Bilingual Leadership Development
McDonald's Corporation

Betsy McKay is currently leading a team to design and deploy innovative English As a Second Language (ESL) instruction – to leverage high-potential restaurant managers, by improving their English skills. Bilingual managers will not only improve business results, but will improve McDonald’s ability to attract and retain high potential Hispanic employees, the fastest growing segment of the workforce. “English Under the Arches”, a series of 3 course levels, focuses on the English restaurant managers need to run an effective shift.

Betsy has been with McDonald’s Corporation for almost 15 years. Prior to her current role, she directed curriculum design for McDonald’s US Training, Learning and Development department and was responsible for the development of high-impact training and tools for crew, restaurant managers, and mid-managers to improve restaurant results. Betsy brings an expertise in information design and simplified communications, and has championed system-wide innovations in crew training and operations training. She has been part of numerous teams recognized by McDonald’s Team awards.

Ricardo Estrada is currently the Vice President of Education and Programs with Instituto del Progreso Latino in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Estrada has over 25 years of higher education experience in Chicago, Illinois, having worked in community colleges and the private education sector in positions such as Business and Management Professor, Chair Person of Business and Management Department, Associate Dean of Student Services, Executive Dean for Finance and Administration, and Executive Campus Dean.  Dr. Estrada’s experience in curriculum and program development qualified him as a member of the Career Pathway Panel of Experts for the U S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education.

Dr. Estrada has been integral in the development of several adult education, vocational and workforce development models that contribute to the career advancement of the non-traditional student population. Among these is Carreras en Salud, a healthcare pathways program which is successfully creating opportunities for bilingual Chicago residents to become healthcare professionals.  Carreras en Salud has graduated over 225 bilingual Licensed Practical Nurses and over 150 bilingual Certified Nurse Assistants in just five years since the program’s inception.  Carreras en Salud was selected as the National Exemplary Workforce Development Model in 2007 by the National Council of Continuing Education and Training.