David Conley

Dr. Conley is a national thought leader in several areas including college and career readiness, student ownership of learning, systems of assessment, and new models of educational accountability. He has conducted numerous research studies on what it takes for students to be ready to succeed in college and careers, and he writes extensively on this topic. Most recently, he studied assessment and accountability systems, specifically those using new techniques and multiple measures. His most recent book, The Promise and Practice of Next Generation Assessment, was published in July, 2018 by Harvard Education Press.

As Professor of Educational Policy and Leadership in the Department of Educational Methodology, Policy, and Leadership, College of Education, University of Oregon, he founded the Center for Educational Policy Research at the University of Oregon in 2000, which he continues to direct. Dr. Conley also founded and served for 12 years as CEO of the Educational Policy Improvement Center (EPIC, now Inflexion). He recently completed an appointment as Senior Fellow for Deeper Learning under the sponsorship of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. Currently, he is the founder and president of EdImagine, a consulting group dedicated to helping educational organizations improve their effectiveness and hone their strategic direction.

Before entering higher education in 1989, Dr. Conley spent 20 years in the public school system in a variety of roles including teacher and co-director of two public alternative schools, a site and central-office administrator, and an executive in a state education agency.

Dr. Conley earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Berkeley and a MA and PhD from the University of Colorado, Boulder.