Michael Nettles

Michael T. Nettles, Ph.D., is a prominent figure in educational research and policy evaluation.12 He served as the Senior Vice President and Edmund W. Gordon Chair of the Policy Evaluation & Research Center (PERC) at the Educational Testing Service (ETS) from 2003 to 2023.12

Dr. Nettles is recognized as a highly influential expert on access, opportunity, equity, assessment, and student performance and achievement at both K-12 and post-secondary levels.2 His career has been marked by significant contributions to educational policy and research:

1. He has held appointments by two U.S. Secretaries of Education to the National Assessment Governing Board.2
2. President Barack Obama appointed him to the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans in 2014.2
3. He has served on numerous boards, including the GRE Board, College Board of Trustees, and the National Research Council Board on Testing and Assessment.2

Dr. Nettles' work has been instrumental in addressing critical education challenges and advancing the application of ETS research.2 He is known for his data-centric approach and has influenced policy changes, including:

• Changing the academic calendar from quarters to semesters in Tennessee public schools.2
• Helping Tennessee become the first state to adopt a funding system tied to student and institutional performance.2
• Contributing to the creation of the nation's first statewide "promise" scholarship program in Tennessee.2

Currently, Dr. Nettles holds the position of Tenured Full Professor & Endowed Chair at the Center for Predictive Analytics and Psychometrics at Morgan State University, where he continues to lead initiatives in educational research and policy.1