Rocky Ridge Principal Named to Board That Oversees The Nation’s Report Card Testing Program
Dilhani Uswatte, principal of Rocky Ridge Elementary School in Hoover, has been appointed the elementary school representative on the National Assessment Governing Board.
The board was established by Congress in 1988 to oversee and set policy for the National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as The Nation’s Report Card. NAEP provides information on student performance in various subjects on a national and state basis as well as for large urban districts.
The 26-member board is responsible for deciding which subjects NAEP assesses, defining achievement levels and pursuing new ways to make the results useful and meaningful to the public.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Uswatte as the elementary school principal representative on the Governing Board,” Lesley Muldoon, the executive director of the board, said in a statement from the Department of Education. “After the disruptions of the pandemic – evidenced by stark declines on The Nation’s Report Card last month – it’s more important than ever to help educators and families understand how children are progressing academically and how best to help each and every one of them succeed. Dr. Uswatte’s distinguished record as a STEM teacher, principal and mentor to fellow educators will strengthen the board’s efforts to ensure that The Nation’s Report Card informs educational recovery and acceleration efforts nationwide.”
Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona appointed Uswatte to the position.
Uswatte has served as the principal of Rocky Ridge Elementary School since 2014. Under her leadership, Rocky Ridge earned international STEM accreditation through AdvancEd, now called Cognia. Before that, she was an eighth grade math teacher and department chair at Berry Middle School.
She’s received several awards and honors, including being inducted into the Alabama Teacher Hall of Fame and named the 2019 Alabama Education Leader of the Year and a 2020 National Distinguished Principal.
In 2009, she received the National Milken Educator Award. Since then, she has developed and implemented a mentoring program for Milken award winners to help them mentor other teachers in their districts.
“The selection of Dr. Dilhani Uswatte to serve in the elementary principal position for the National Assessment Governing Board will greatly benefit our nation’s students, especially as schools focus on unfinished learning,” said L. Earl Franks, executive director of the National Association of Elementary School Principals.
Eric Mackey, Alabama state superintendent of education, added, “It is truly a privilege to engage with educators who are transformative in their approach to leading students. Dr. Uswatte is that kind of educator.”
He pointed to Uswatte’s mentoring group, known as the Alabama Milken Visionary Partnerships.
“Through this initiative, Dr. Uswatte and other Milken Educator Award recipients are revitalizing and strengthening education in Alabama,” Mackey said.
“Dr. Uswatte brings with her enthusiasm and innovation that will benefit the board specifically and the field of education in general. As a state, we are so proud of her and cannot wait to see the impact she makes.”
