C. Richard Smith, PhD

Dr. C. Richard Smith has been an educator for more than forty years. He started his educational career earning a MS degree in Science Education at Oregon State University. He taught high school physical science and mathematics in San Jose and Santa Rosa, CA and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. After earning a PhD in Administration of Education at the University of Kansas, he served as superintendent of the Taipei American Schools in Taiwan. An executive position at Stanford University lured Richard away from international education. Next, he took an executive position at a research organization in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Smith began working in educational assessment as vice president of a testing service company in California. There, he directed the development of comprehensive testing programs for school districts and became involved in developing the principles and practices of educational assessment. He then became interested in the use of computer-based instruction in schools. After joining an emerging San Diego-based company that produces K-12 instructional software, Dr Smith directed the development of courseware products and services, including administrative and assessment products. He retired in 2001 from the company as vice president for planning and research. He now consults with educational companies on the development of school assessment programs and interpretation of assessment data.