Jim Peyser
Jim Peyser was the Massachusetts Secretary of Education. Peyser assumed office in 2015. Peyser left office on January 5, 2023.
Peyser was appointed secretary of education by Governor-elect Charlie Baker (R) on December 23, 2014.[1][2]
Biography
Peyser was the head of Governor-elect Baker's transition team in 2014. Before his appointment as secretary of education, Peyser was the managing director at NewSchools Venture Fund, a nonprofit that awards grants to charter school operators and public education innovators in urban communities. From 1999 to 2005, Peyser was the chairman of the Massachusetts Board of Education. Peyser has also been an education advisor to governors Bill Weld, Jane Swift and Mitt Romney. In 1995, Weld appointed him as under secretary of education and special assistant to the governor for charter schools. From 1993 to 2001, Peyser was the executive director of the Pioneer Institute for Public Policy Research. While at the Pioneer Institute, he helped launch the Massachusetts Charter School Resource Center. The Center supported the development of Massachusetts' first charter schools. Before joining Pioneer, Peyser worked at Teradyne, Inc., an electronic test equipment manufacturer.[1][2]
Peyser serves on the board of three charter school organizations and on the board of the National Association of Charter School Authorizers.[1]
Education
- Undergraduate degree, Colgate University
- M.A., the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University[1][2]
Political career
Secretary of education (2015 - 2023)
Peyser served as secretary of education from January 2015 to January 2023.[1]
When he was appointed to the post, he said in an interview that he wants to help close the gap between poor and higher-income students' academic achievement. Peyser also said that he wants to strengthen vocational and technical education and make college more affordable. He also said that charter schools are "one of the ways, though not the only way" to improve schools.[1]
About the office
The Massachusetts Secretary of Education is a state executive position in the Massachusetts state government. The secretary directs the Executive Office of Education and oversees the state's three education agencies - the Department of Early Education and Care, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Department of Higher Education - and the University of Massachusetts.
The Executive Office of Education and the position of secretary of education were proposed by Gov. Deval Patrick (D) and established on March 10, 2008.[3]
Chairman of the Massachusetts Board of Education (1999-2005)
From 1999 to 2005, Peyser was the chairman of the Massachusetts Board of Education.[1]
Under secretary of education (1995)
Peyser was a special assistant to Governor William F. Weld and an under secretary of education.[2]
Appointments
2015
Peyser was appointed as secretary of education on December 23, 2014, by Governor-elect Charles D. Baker (R).[1]
1995
Peyser was appointed as under secretary of education and special assistant to the governor for charter schools by Governor William Weld (R) in 1995.[2]
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Peyser grew up in Westchester County, N.Y. His father Peter was the mayor of Irvington, N.Y., and served two stints as a member of the U.S. Congress; as a Republican from 1971 to 1977 and as a Democrat from 1979 to 1983.[1]
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term "Jim + Peyser + Massachusetts + Education"
See also
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Michael Levenson, Boston Globe, "Charter school advocate picked for Mass. education chief," December 23, 2014
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 The Official Website of the Governor of Massachusetts, "Secretary of Education Jim Peyser," accessed October 28, 2015
- ↑ Massachusetts Executive Office of Education, "Home," accessed January 21, 2021
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| Preceded by - |
Massachusetts Secretary of Education 2015-2023 |
Succeeded by Patrick Tutwiler |
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