Contributor

Judith A. Rizzo, Ed.D., Executive Director and CEO, James B. Hunt, Jr. Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy

Since beginning as a junior high school teacher, Judith A. Rizzo has been at the forefront of education reform in cities including New York City, Tacoma, WA, Lowell, MA, and Boston, MA. In 2002, she became the first executive director of the Hunt Institute. Rizzo is responsible for growing the Hunt Institute into a national resource for political, business, and education leaders, supporting the development and implementation of effective education policies and programs. Previously, Rizzo served as deputy chancellor for instruction at the New York City Board of Education. There, she implemented well-respected reforms including the creation of the Chancellor's District to provide direct oversight of the city's lower-performing elementary and middle schools. Under her leadership, the Extended Time School (ETS) model and the Early Childhood Language Assessment System (ECLAS) were designed and implemented. She also initiated the reform of NYC's special education program and introduced the Performance Assessment of Schools System-wide (PASS), a program designed to guide the development of school-based comprehensive planning and accountability.