ALEXANDRIA, Va. (June 5, 2008)—Educational Research Service has selected John C. Draper, Ed.D. as the non-profit's new Chief Executive Officer. Draper will assume the responsibilities of CEO starting August 1, 2008. Draper succeeds John M. Forsyth who retired from ERS in October, 2007, after nearly 30 years of service to the organization.

“John Draper's career and accomplishments are based primarily at the local and state education level" said Rich Bagin, ERS Board Chair and Executive Director of the National School Public Relations Association. "He understands the needs of educators on the frontline, and that insight, combined with his entrepreneurial spirit, will serve ERS well in the years ahead.” 

“I am excited about joining the ERS team. ERS is known for the quality of its research material, which provides a strong platform for a promising future” said Draper. “Providing the research school leaders need in the format they want is a critical service considering the challenges facing today's public schools.”

Draper is currently serving as the executive director of the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS), a post he has held for more than eight years. During his time with CLAS, the organization has grown significantly with a membership increase of more than 35 percent. Prior to joining CLAS, Draper was a middle school principal, high school principal, assistant middle school principal, and a biology, math, and physical science teacher in Alabama schools. He received a bachelor’s, master's, and education specialist degree from University of Montevallo and Ed.D. from Samford University in Alabama. Photo available on the ERS Web site.

If you are interested in learning more about the services provided by ERS, please visit the ERS Web site at www.ers.org.

###

About ERS: ERS was founded in 1973 as an independent nonprofit research organization to serve the research and information needs of education leaders and the public. Prior to 1973, ERS operated within the research division of the National Education Association (1924-1973). Today ERS publishes research and information for use in PreK-12 decision making. In addition, the organization collects, synthesizes, and distributes research from other organizations through an online portal network. ERS is funded by school districts across the country that purchase subscriptions and publications for use in their districts. ERS founding organizations include: American Association of School Administrators, American Association of School Personnel Administrators, Association of School Business Officials International, National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Association of Secondary School Principals, and National School Public Relations Association.

The Nonprofit Organization Serving the Research and Information Needs of Education Leaders and the Public