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Dane Linn

Photograph of Dane Linn
Dane Linn
Director, Education Division,
National Governors Association Center for Best Practices

As Director of the Education Division at the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, Dane oversees all education-related policy research, analysis and resource development. He regularly provides consultation and tailored analysis to the nation's governors on a host of issues including No Child Left Behind, early childhood, elementary and secondary, and postsecondary education. Under Dane's leadership, NGA's work continues to assist governors on developing policies that increase the number of students who graduate from high school ready for postsecondary education and the workplace.

Recognized as a national expert in his field, Dane has authored numerous reports on issues ranging from school finance and teacher quality to school redesign and pay for performance. He recently spearheaded NGA's national initiative Redesigning the American High School, launched by former Governor Mark Warner of Virginia during his tenure as NGA Chair. Currently, Mr. Linn is leading the Common Core Standards Initiative which is state-led process for developing national standards in English Language Art and mathematics.

Prior to his work at NGA, Dane worked at the West Virginia Department of Education where he was responsible for ensuring the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Before that, he served as legislative liaison to the House of Delegates. His professional experience in education began as an elementary school teacher and principal.

A graduate of Cabrini College, Dane received a master's degree from Marshall University Graduate College and is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

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Question 3: How will the common core standards initiative help states address the dropout problem and help more high school students graduate ready to succeed in the global workplace?

One of the goals of the Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI) is to help ensure more students are graduating high college and career ready. At the same time, NGA and CCSSO seek to reduce the high school dropout rate. But, it is not enough to set higher expectations. It will be critical to help ensure that states put in place a system of supports to ensure more students stay in school, graduate and leave prepared to succeed in college and the workplace. One example is the system of supports (mentors) that Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue has put into place as a strategy for ensuring more students stay in school.

CCSSI is an opportunity for states to develop policies that will allow them to:

  • Ensure credit –for-performance and credit-recovery options become more viable;
  • Develop assessments that apply students’ knowledge and skills; and
  • Utilize existing technologies to create new digital content that is engaging and connect students to real world skills and offer credit recovery coursework.

Bottom line: The standards, in combination with attention to some of the issues listed above, will help ensure that we increase the number of students who are graduating college and career ready.