Judy Elliott, PhD

Judy Elliott, PhD, is the former chief academic officer of the Los Angeles Unified School District where she was responsible for curriculum and instruction for early childhood through adult education, professional development, innovation, accountability and assessment, and programs for all students including English language learners, Standard English learners, students with disabilities, and gifted students.

Before that she was the chief of teaching and learning in the Portland Public Schools in Oregon; and prior to that an assistant superintendent of Long Beach Unified School District in California. Elliott also was a senior researcher at the National Center on Educational Outcomes at the University of Minnesota. She started her career as a classroom teacher and then was a school psychologist.

Elliott continues to assist districts, national organizations, and state departments of education in their efforts to update and realign curriculum frameworks, instruction and assessment, and accountability. Her research interests focus on systems change and reform, effective instruction for all students, and data-based decision making for accountability and accelerated student achievement.

She has trained thousands of staff members, teachers, and administrators in the United States and abroad in areas of integrated service delivery systems, leadership, effective use of data, and inclusive schooling that include linking assessment to classroom intervention, strategies and tactics for effective instruction, curriculum adaptation, collaborative teaching, and behavior management. She has published more than 50 articles, book chapters, technical/research reports, and books. Elliott sits on editorial boards for professional journals and is active in many professional organizations. She is nationally known for her work in response to instruction (RTI) and intervention, and has led many successful initiatives and projects around that effort.