Board of Trustees

As Executive Director of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), Gordon Ambach established the Council as one of the most influential national organizations in shaping policy for increasing student achievement. He also represented the State Commissioners and Superintendents of Education as advocate for their national education policy positions; led the development of several national coalitions of elementary, secondary, and higher-education organizations; and substantially increased the Council's service to the states. Mr. Ambach's leadership at CCSSO followed 20 years of service in New York State, 10 as the NY State Commissioner of Education and President of the University of the State of New York. While serving as Commissioner, he developed and implemented the nation’s most comprehensive school reform act—the Regents’ Action Plan—which established the most rigorous diploma standards in the United States, together with standards for teachers and schools.

At the national level, Mr. Ambach testifies regularly before both houses of Congress, maintains an extensive schedule of presentations on education legislation, and writes frequently on national education policy issues. At the international level, Mr. Ambach established a major office of International Education; is a member of the U.S. Board on International Comparative Studies in Education of the National Academy of Sciences; and serves as the U.S. Representative to the General Assembly of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement.