Jessica Brown

Overview

Jessica Brown, PhD, is a Principal Research Associate for Education Studies. She has expertise in educational research, evaluation, assessment, advanced statistical methods, and strategic dissemination. She designs and leads mixed-methods evaluations and applied research, including randomized controlled trials, quasi-experiments, and correlational and descriptive studies, and provides technical assistance to education policymakers and practitioners. She is proficient in evaluating cross-site and state-level initiatives on a range of topics, including early childhood education, computer science, work-based learning, and early college programs.

Brown is adept at building research-practice partnerships to collaboratively explore topics facing education leaders and practitioners. She supports research efforts that inform clients and partners to make data-driven decisions, sharing insights through clear and accessible reports. She currently leads an ED evaluation of a mathematics intervention for middle grades across multiple states. Brown has taught educators how to create high-quality assessments and co-authored an online course on performance assessment.

Prior to joining Westat, Brown was a principal research associate at the Education Development Center from 2014-25, where she led several complex research and evaluation projects, including an ED evaluation of a high school computer science work-based learning pathway. Earlier, she was an assessment specialist at the Rhode Island Department of Education from 2011-14 where she oversaw the implementation of a new statewide assessment initiative.

Education

• PhD, Educational Research, Measurement, and Evaluation, Boston College
• BA, Double major: Education and Sociology, Brown University