Jason Atwood is the Director of Research & Learning at NewSchools, leading a team dedicated to evaluating the effectiveness of education programs, initiatives, and investment strategies. Jason and his team work closely with funders, educators, and a network of partners to measure portfolio performance and generate insights about how to support and scale high-impact educational innovations. At the heart of Jason’s work is the belief in evidence to guide decisions and improve educational outcomes. This involves crafting new ways to measure student progress and providing venture leaders with actionable information about the conditions and practices that enhance learning experiences for all community members, especially those furthest away from opportunity.
Before joining NewSchools, Jason worked at the intersection of impact evaluation and org-wide learning for Education Pioneers and Teach For America. This included stewardship of a $50M U.S. Department of Education Investing in Innovation Scale-Up grant, which was designed to enhance educational outcomes on a large scale. His academic work at the University of California, Berkeley focused on the measurement and improvement of conditions that help young people develop positive self-perceptions and succeed in both school and life. Jason’s early experiences working with students at College Track, the YMCA, and as a youth running coach deeply influenced his commitment to creating supportive learning environments that allow every child to thrive.
Jason holds degrees from Georgetown University and U.C. Berkeley. Now based in Portland, Oregon, he enjoys hiking and baking chocolate chip cookies with his wife and son.