Jessica Brett, EDC project director, is an experienced program evaluator, researcher, and technical assistance provider. She collaborates with federally, state, and privately funded programs to design formative and summative studies that provide data to guide decision-making and strengthen programs. She brings extensive expertise in developing logic models and theories of change, leading qualitative research and evaluation studies, and managing all aspects of these studies, including large-scale multi-site data collection, analysis, and reporting.

For over 20 years, Jessica has led and co-led EDC studies that advance knowledge of how to strengthen education and workforce development systems to ensure career readiness and success. She contributes content knowledge in STEM out-of-school time programs, workforce development, early college programs, competency-based learning, and effective strategies to ensure future-ready youth.

Jessica is a subject matter expert for EDC’s evaluation of STEM Next’s Exploring Career Connections initiative and is evaluating Boston College STEM programs. Recently, she co-led an evaluation of the Mass. Department of Youth Services Statewide Educational Services and was qualitative lead for an evaluation of the Mass. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Acceleration Academies.

Jessica presents her findings at the American Evaluation Association and American Educational Research Association annual conferences. She has co-authored a report published by the Institute of Education Sciences and articles in AERA Open and Connected Science Learning.

Jessica holds an EdM from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a JD from Northeastern University School of Law.