SACRAMENTO

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced that he has appointed Dr. Mao Vang as the new Director for the Assessment Development and Administration Division (ADAD) at the California Department of Education (CDE). The division manages the development and administration for all statewide assessments.

“Mao brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and passion to the CDE’s leadership team,” said State Superintendent Tony Thurmond. “After more than 20 years of serving in various roles in education, she knows the important role of curriculum, instruction, assessment, and data in providing high-quality educational experiences to all our students.”

Dr. Vang spent the last two-and-a-half years as an Education Administrator at the CDE. Before that she served as Director of Assessment, Research and Evaluation in both San Ramon Valley Unified School District and Sacramento City Unified School District. She also spent time working for Educational Testing Services (ETS), where she directed and managed the development and administrative activities of the California High School Exit Exam program as the contractor working with the CDE.

Dr. Vang earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from U.C. Davis and Sonoma State University. She also received a Master of Education from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in the area of brain development research and family literacy, as well as a B.A. in Social Studies from the University of Saint Thomas. She replaces Michelle Center, who now works at California’s Department of Consumer Affairs.