Director of Research, Assessment and Continuous Improvement

At Hopkins Public Schools, we believe that our strength lies in the diversity of our students, staff, and community. We are a proudly inclusive E-12 district serving approximately 7,200 students across the City of Hopkins and surrounding communities. Our district represents a rich mosaic of cultures, backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences; we value and celebrate that diversity in everything we do. As an academically rigorous and human-centered district, we are committed to fostering a welcoming environment where every student and staff member feels seen, heard, and valued. There is no "typical" Hopkins student, and we embrace this truth as a catalyst for innovation, growth, and equity in learning.

We seek educators and staff who are equity-minded, culturally responsive, and deeply committed to creating inclusive spaces where all learners can thrive.

We welcome candidates who are passionate about dismantling systemic barriers, advancing justice, and preparing students to become bold, collaborative, and compassionate global citizens. When you join Hopkins Public Schools, you are not just joining a district, you are becoming part of a community that honors difference, nurtures potential, and inspires remarkable achievement in every learner, from birth through graduation.

You are welcome at Hopkins. You belong at Hopkins.

SUMMARY:
The Director of Research, Assessment & Continuous Improvement serves as the Superintendent's chief advisor for organizational performance, strategic measurement, research, evaluation, assessment, and continuous improvement. As a member of the Superintendent's Cabinet, this position ensures Hopkins Public Schools has the reliable information, analytical capacity, and learning systems necessary to make informed decisions
that improve student outcomes and organizational effectiveness and efficiency.

The Director leads the design and continuous improvement of districtwide systems that measure student learning, evaluate the effectiveness of district programs and initiatives, and generate actionable evidence to support strategic planning and continuous improvement. The position oversees enterprise data systems, district assessment, research and evaluation activities, accountability reporting, and information governance while ensuring compliance with all applicable state and federal requirements related to educational data, privacy, and reporting.

Central to this role is fostering organizational learning across the district. The Director develops systems that help leaders understand not only what is happening, but why it is happening, whether district strategies are producing their intended results, and how evidence can be used to continuously strengthen teaching, learning, operations, and organizational performance. Through rigorous research, thoughtful analysis, and meaningful evaluation, this position transforms information into organizational knowledge, knowledge into informed action, and action into continuous improvement.

Working in close partnership with the Superintendent's Cabinet, district leaders, and school administrators, the Director advances a culture of inquiry, collaboration, and continuous improvement by ensuring research, assessment, and organizational learning are embedded within strategic planning and organizational decision making.

Mission Alignment: Advance the district's mission, Vision 2031, and strategic priorities by building an evidence-informed learning organization where research, assessment, evaluation and continuous improvement strengthen teaching, learning, operations, and organizational effectiveness to improve outcomes for every student.
 

Evidence of Success
A successful Director of Research, Assessment & Organizational Learning will establish systems that enable Hopkins Public Schools to become an evidence-informed learning organization. Success in this role is demonstrated through outcomes such as:

• Vision 2031 is monitored through meaningful district scorecards, key performance indicators, and executive dashboards
• District leaders consistently use timely, accurate, and actionable evidence to inform instructional, operational, financial, and strategic decisions.
• Research, assessment, and evaluation systems generate meaningful insights that improve student outcomes, organizational performance, and resource allocation.
• Organizational learning processes help district leaders identify effective practices, evaluate initiatives, and continuously improve district systems.
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