Janet V. Gordon, Ed. D.

Dr. Janet Gordon has over 20 years of experience in designing, directing, and conducting research, evaluation, and technical assistance projects aimed at improving the health and well-being of adults, youth, and children in the U.S. and its territories. She has partnered with federal agencies such as the National Science Foundation and the Department of Education to build and evaluate programs focused on teaching the next generation of STEM professionals. She has implemented and evaluated state programs for working with, State Education Agencies, colleges/universities, and private foundations. Dr. Gordon is skilled in innovative database solutions to create new insightful knowledge for federal, state, tribal, and local agencies for evidence of effectiveness to inform policy, cost effectiveness, and best practices.

Gordon currently serves as an advisory member for a state education agency’s 21st Century Community Learning Center and serves as the evaluator for school site programs. She also works on the national evaluation of the Regional Education Laboratories. Dr. Gordon’s background as a Research Scientist for the Department of Energy fuels her passion to provide subject matter expertise as she evaluates federal programs in New Mexico and Florida aimed at increasing the post-secondary recruitment and retention of diverse students, and the successful completion of STEM degrees and career employment.

Gordon comes to Abt after nearly 10 years as Vice President of Education Systems. Using a participatory approach to engage clients and communities, she built trusting relationships to collaborate to define success, build capacity, and improve project outcomes. 

Expertise

• Post-secondary education for careers in STEM, cybersecurity, IT
• Indigenous research and evaluation
• K-12 education and family/community engagement

Key Projects

• Regional Education Laboratory national evaluation
• 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) After-School program evaluation
• National Science Foundation Scholarship for Service (SFS)
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Characteristics of Positive Outlier Schools Study

Publications

• Lobdell, G., Gordon, J. V., Steach, J., Sharratt, G., Myles, C., Bolz, E., and Rumsey, R. (2021). Characteristics of Positive Outlier Schools: Illuminating the Strengths of American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, Latino/a, and Students Experiencing Poverty. The Center for Educational Effectiveness. 88p.
• Redding, S., Gordon, J. V., Scott, J., Smoker-Broadus, M., Bitterman, A., and Maynor, P. (2021). Resources to Advance Education for Native Students: Circles of Reflection. National Comprehensive Center: Rockville, MD.
• LaFrance, J., Nelson-Barber, S., Rechebei, E., & Gordon, J.V. (2014). Partnering with Pacific Communities to Ground Evaluation in Local Culture and Context: Promises and Challenges.  In Continuing the Journey to Reposition Culture and Cultural Context in Evaluation Theory and Practice (Editors Greene, J. & Donaldson, S.). Stafford Hood: University of Illinois, Champaign, Il.