Head of La. education accountability leaving for D.C.

The man in charge of Louisiana’s student, faculty, and school testing and accountability programs is leaving Baton Rouge for Washington, D.C. State Education Superintendent John White says that Scott Norton is leaving to join the Council of Chief State School Officers as strategic initiative director for standards, assessments and accountability. Norton has worked for the state’s department for 18 years. His last day as assistant superintendent for standards, assessments and accountability will be Friday, July 13. “His work has been the driving force behind Louisiana’s assessment and accountability systems and most recently the move to Common Core State Standards and PARCC Assessments,” White says in a news release. “We wish him nothing but the best as he takes on this new role, and we look forward to continuing to work with him and the CCSSO on these important reforms.” The CCSSO is a national nonpartisan, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in their respective states.