ERS Team

Kristen Ferris

Kristen leads ERS’ practice around high school redesign, supporting school and district leaders to rethink how high schools are organized—including staffing models, schedules, and budgets—to better align with students’ interests & needs. She currently supports several districts, including Detroit Public Schools Community District and Metro Nashville Public Schools, in their work to rethink high schools. In addition, she leads ERS’ research and development related to high school design, and was instrumental in the creation of ERS’ recent publications around a new vision for high school, organizing for college and career experiences, blended learning, and transforming 9th grade experiences.

Prior to joining ERS in August of 2010, Kristen worked in Chicago Public Schools’ Office of Research, Evaluation, and Accountability, first as a Project Manager, and later as the Director of Accountability. She also taught 7th grade in Chicago Public Schools as a Teach for America corps member. Kristen holds a M.P.P. from Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy.

When she’s not at work, Kristen spends every moment she can with her three children, getting out into nature as much as possible. She also enjoys getting involved in her local community – currently, she serves as chair of her local school’s METCO Coordinating Committee, which helps the community organize to support the success of the METCO program.

Previous Experience

Director of Accountability
Chicago Public Schools’ Office of Research, Evaluation, and Accountability

Teacher
Chicago Public Schools

Education

Master of Public Policy
University of California, Berkeley

B.A., Philosophy, Politics and Economics
University of Pennsylvania