Joan Herman is co-director of the National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST) at UCLA. Her research has explored the effects of testing on schools and the design of information systems to support school planning and instructional improvement. Her recent work has focused on the validity and utility of alternative forms of assessment, with particular emphasis on opportunity to learn and portfolio assessment. She also has wide experience as an evaluator of technology and school reform.

Among Dr. Herman's recent books are Tracking Your School's Success: A Guide to Sensible School-Based Evaluation; and A Practical Guide to Alternative Assessment, both of which have been popular resources for schools across the country. A former teacher and school board member, Dr. Herman also has published extensively in research journals and is a frequent speaker to policy audiences on evaluation and assessment topics. She is a past president of the California Educational Research Association; has served in an advisory capacity to the National Science Foundation, among other national, state and local agencies; has held a variety of leadership positions in Division H of the American Educational Research Association and the National Organization of Research Centers; and is current editor of Educational Assessment.

herman@cse.ucla.edu