Governor Healey Appoints New Member to Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

Governor Healey Appoints New Member to Board of Elementary and Secondary Education  

EVERETT — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced the swearing-in of Dr. Christina Grant as the newest member of the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Dr. Grant is the Executive Director of the Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR) at Harvard University and brings a wealth of experience in education leadership, strategic management, and data-driven policy.  

 

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Christina Grant to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “Her leadership and deep commitment to evidence-based policy will be an invaluable asset as we continue to strengthen our education system and advance opportunities for all Massachusetts students.”

 

“Dr. Grant’s extensive experience in education policy and leadership will bring valuable insight to the Board,” said Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Chair Katherine Craven. “Her commitment to data-driven solutions and her track record of fostering academic excellence make her a tremendous addition to our efforts to support and improve schools throughout the Commonwealth.” 

 

Dr. Grant’s distinguished career spans roles as an educator, administrator, and executive in some of the nation's largest school systems. At CEPR, she leads efforts to unite researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in creating transformative partnerships grounded in rigorous research, with a focus on improving student outcomes and academic acceleration. 

 

Dr. Grant previously served as the State Superintendent of Education for the District of Columbia, where she oversaw grants, standards, assessments, and accountability for elementary and secondary schools. She led the first revision of social studies standards in 20 years and directed a $100 million investment in post-pandemic academic recovery programs. 

 

“Joining the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is a remarkable opportunity to contribute to a vision of transformative education for all students,” said Dr. Christina Grant. “I am committed to leveraging my experience in evidence-based policy and systems leadership to ensure every student in the Commonwealth is equipped to succeed in our ever-evolving global landscape.” 

 

Prior to her role in D.C., Dr. Grant served as the Chief of Charter Schools and Innovation for The School District of Philadelphia, where she played a pivotal role in redesigning accountability metrics and managing the district’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

Dr. Grant has served as a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, where she taught courses on educational leadership. She began her career as a public-school teacher in Harlem and has held leadership positions at the Great Oaks Foundation and the New York City Department of Education. 

 

Dr. Grant holds a doctorate in education with a focus on organizational leadership from the University of Pennsylvania, two master's degrees—one in organizational leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University, and one in teaching and adolescent reading from Fordham University—and a bachelor's degree from Hofstra University. 

Learn more about the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the members’ full bios.