Mitchell Chester

department of education, MA

Mitchell Dan Chester is the Commonwealth of Massachusett's 23rd Commissioner of Education. Before accepting the position, he served in the Ohio Department of Education as senior associate superintendent for the Office of Policy and Accountability. His responsibilities in Ohio included standards, assessments, accountability, policy development, and strategic planning. In addition, Dr. Chester served as the point for Ohio on the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act. Previously, Dr. Chester served as the executive director for accountability and assessment for the School District of Philadelphia. He also served as chief of the Bureau of Curriculum and Instructional Programs of the Connecticut State Department of Education. Dr. Chester has served as a consultant to states and school districts regarding curriculum and instruction, teacher evaluation, student achievement, and assessment and accountability. He was a teacher, assistant principal, and curriculum coordinator in three school districts. Dr. Chester's doctorate in administration, planning, and social policy is from Harvard University. He also holds advanced degrees from the University of Connecticut and the University of Hartford.