Effrat named interim dean of Education

by Patrick J. Callahan, News Office staff

Andrew Effrat (Sarah Buchholz photo)

rofessor Andrew Effrat, who chairs the Department of Educational Policy, Research, and Administration, has been named the interim dean of the School of Education by Charlena Seymour, interim senior vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and provost.

     Effrat succeeds Bailey W. Jackson, who announced last December that he is stepping down as dean at the end of August to rejoin the faculty. Jackson has served as dean since 1990, first as interim from 1990-94, then as permanent dean since 1994.

     Calling Effrat "an outstanding researcher and scholar," Seymour said, "His leadership will undoubtedly be influential in shaping new and bold initiatives at UMass. He definitely has the experience, dedication, and vision to promote the school's status in the Commonwealth and around the world."

     "It is indeed an honor to be able to serve such a distinguished and dedicated faculty, staff and student body, and a University with such a worthy mission and so much promise," Effrat said. "I look forward to continuing to enhance the University's and the School of Education's contributions to excellence and social justice in education and in our society, to strengthen the school's partnerships within the University and beyond, and to help make visible the many ways in which the schools and students of this Commonwealth deserve our confidence and support."

     Effrat is an international authority on education policy issues. As the director of the Center for Educational Policy, he has worked on major policy research initiatives that evaluate aspects of education reform in Massachusetts, and has helped start some leadership preparation initiatives in the state.

     He joined the faculty in 1996. Effrat earned his bachelor's degree from Princeton University in 1961, and a doctorate in sociology from Harvard University in 1970. Effrat served as dean and professor at York University in Canada from 1980-90, and was coordinator of graduate studies at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto from 1979-80, after being assistant coordinator from 1976-79. He was a professor of sociology in education at OISE from 1968-80.

     Effrat was the founding chair of the Teacher Education Council of Ontario from 1989-90, chair of the Ontario Association of Deans of Education from 1988-90, chair of the Ministry of Education Task Force on Science Education from 1987-88, and chair of the Ministry of Education Committee on Principals' Certification Courses in 1987-88.