Becky Smerdon

Becky Smerdon is the First Focus fellow at the Urban Institute.  There, she will focus on education policy and its impact on children and families.

She is currently a Senior Research Associate in the Education Policy Center of Urban Institute where she is leading the development of a research agenda on disadvantaged youth and high school reform with a particular focus on successful transition to college and work.

Prior to coming to Urban Institute, Ms. Smerdon was a Principal Research Scientist at the American Institutes of Research where she led the National High School Center and oversaw more than $40 million in research funding and a staff of more than 60 staff members. She is a nationally recognized expert in high school reform. Ms. Smerdon received her BA, MA and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.