As assistant director of P-12 policy, Nicholas is responsible for overseeing work on a range of topics, including resource equity, assessments and accountability, and COVID recovery. Prior to Ed Trust, Nicholas was a senior policy analyst at Education Reform Now. Nicholas previously worked as a high school English Language Arts teacher in New Hampshire, in both charter and traditional public schools, which spurred his interest in education reform. He has a master’s in Education Policy from The George Washington University, an M.A. in Teaching Secondary English from Southern New Hampshire University, and a B.A. in Writing, Literature & Publishing from Emerson College.
Secret Talent
Interior design
Weakness
Flattery
What drew you to education?
I was drawn to education policy after feeling woefully underprepared for the realities of the classroom by my teacher preparation program, as well as witnessing as a teacher a one-size-fits-all education system and the limited opportunities for my students.
Author Archives
New Federal Guidance Strengthens School Improvement: A Key Resource for State-Level Advocacy
The Department of Education released guidance that provides clear direction on several crucial areas of school improvement
How District Leaders and Advocates Can Build Parent Support for Statewide Assessments
Addressing inequities in educational outcomes cannot happen without data from statewide summative assessments
Designing Equitable Through-Year Assessments
Crucial technical considerations for advocates and state administrators.
5 Things Every Equity Advocate Should Know About Through-Year Assessments
Equitable and thoughtfully designed through-year assessments can enhance summative assessment systems to better meet the academic needs of all students
EdTrust Convenes Cohort of State and Local Advocates to Advance Resource Equity in Their Communities
EdTrust brought together 8 advocacy orgs from around the country for the first meeting of the ARE’s Local Advocacy Cohort.
Reassessing ESSA Implementation: An Equity Analysis of School Accountability Systems
School accountability systems should ensure all students have necessary resources. EdTrust finds many states’ reporting isn’t equitable.
Making Assessment Reports More Meaningful for Students & Families
This report offers guidance on how schools can better communicate the results of students’ federally required annual tests so parents can be better informed about how their students are doing in school and work with educators to get appropriate support.
Advocates’ Guide to Demanding Racially and Culturally Inclusive State Assessments
EdTrust argues for annual federally required assessments to be more inclusive, explaining why these changes are necessary, how they can provide more accurate data, and how policymakers can exert consumer pressure on vendors to create more inclusive assessments.
Refocusing on Resource Equity Provisions in ESSA Can Spur School Improvement Efforts
As our advocate partners know well, students of color and students from low-income backgrounds are significantly more likely to attend schools with fewer resources than their White, more affluent peers.…
Future of Assessments: Centering Equity and the Lived Experiences of Students, Families, and Educators
Addressing inequities in the educational outcomes — particularly for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds — cannot…