Great Minds, More than Gold

Having helped to establish Common Core—now Great Minds—Ms. Byrd Carmichael led the development of its “English Language Arts Curriculum Maps Project” and “The Alexandria Plan,” a tool for integrating the study of English language arts and history.  She helped conceive and execute the development of Wit and Wisdom, a knowledge-rich, K – 8 English language arts program that systematically incorporates visual arts and music. Ms. Byrd Carmichael co-authored Common Core’s first report, Why We’re Behind, and authored More Than Gold, one of the titles in the Great Minds Geodes Collection.

Beyond the Basics 

Conducting extensive research and collaboration with like-minded colleagues, Ms. Byrd Carmichael helped to organize the “Beyond to Basics” Conference for the Thomas B. Fordham Institute in 2007, which led to establishing Common Core, Inc., later Great Minds. The “Beyond the Basics” conference and accompanying collection of essays, subtitled “Achieving A Liberal Education for All Children” sparked a revival of interest in developing knowledge-rich, liberal arts curricula as the foundation of successful K—12 school reform efforts.

The Thomas B. Fordham Institute

Over many years, Ms. Byrd Carmichael had the honor of collaborating with Fordham staff and other colleagues primarily to explore the quality and efficacy of state and national standards and assessment development efforts. This link will take to downloadable copies of those reports.

K—12 School Reform Initiative, Qatar

Providing strategic guidance and technical assistance on the establishment of a new standards-based education system in the Emirate of Qatar, Ms. Byrd Carmichael helped lead the writing of new “curriculum standards,” the development of new assessments, and the establishment of a new charter school system.

Conversion of Catholic to Charter Schools in Washington, D.C.

After co-authoring a feasibility study for the Archidocese of Washington, D.C. concerning the conversion of seven private Catholic schools—formerly the “Center City Consortium” schools—to charter schools, Ms. Byrd Carmichael wrote the academic plan for a successful charter school conversion application.  It was the first successful private-to-charter school network conversion in the country. Center City Public Charter Schools continue to thrive in Washington, using a knowledge-rich curriculum.

Friendship Public Charter Schools

Prior to D.C’s adoption of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), Ms. Byrd Carmichael developed customized K-12 academic standards for the Friendship Public Charter Schools, an award-winning system of charter schools in Washington, D.C. She co-led professional development to help teachers implement the new standards-based curriculum. Post CCSS, She led Friendship’s teacher and administration training for their adoption of the Great Minds Wit and Wisdom curriculum.

American Diploma Project

Ms. Byrd Carmichael wrote and managed a $2.4 million Hewlett Foundation grant to establish the American Diploma Project (ADP). She was the ADP’s founding executive director, spearheading the development of high school exit benchmarks for English language arts and mathematics, used in 35 states to align K – 12 and postsecondary expectations. “Ready or Not”: Creating a High School Diploma that Counts was a primary source document for development of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Advising gubernatorial staff, legislators, university system-heads, state and local K-12 superintendents, employers, and community leaders on ways to establish and strengthen PreK-16 articulation policies, Ms. Byrd Carmichael also promoted ADP with local and national media.

California’s K—12 Academic Standards Commission

As deputy director of Governor Pete Wilson’s California State Standards Commission, Ms. Byrd Carmichael led the drafting of California’s K – 12 Academic Content Standards. The standards are still considered a model for other ELA standards-setting efforts. The California Standards for English Language Arts was the first set of state standards to include K-12 ELA standards for logic.

Ms. Byrd Carmichael advised gubernatorial staff, legislators, university system-heads, state and local K-12 superintendents, employers, and community leaders on ways to establish and strengthen PreK-16 articulation policies. She promoted ADP with local and national media, gaining important communications experience with journalists, editorial boards, and television outlets.