Dr. Christopher A. Thorn
Wisconsin Center for Education Research
University of Wisconsin-Madison
1025 W. Johnson St., Room 370
Madison, WI 53706
Phone: (W) (608) 263-2709 (H) (608) 236-0407
Email: (W) cathorn@wisc.edu (H) cathorn@gmail.com
Doctor of Sociology (with high honors), University of Bielefeld, Germany, 1994
- State Involvement in the Semiconductor Industry: The role and importance of consortia
M.A., Political Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1990
M.A., International Relations, The Johns Hopkins University, 1987
B.A., (with honors) Economics and German Language, Indiana University, 1985
Associate Director – Value-Added Research Center (VARC)
With Director Rob Meyer, I lead VARC in its mission to promote the development, application, and dissemination of value-added research methods to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of schools, teachers, programs, and policies. My work focuses on identifying and addressing organizational and technical gaps between operational information systems, value-added analysis results, and decision support systems at the state-, district-, and school-levels. Most recently I have been focused on the development of a set of graduate courses that addresses the knowledge and skills needed for school and district leaders to use value-added results for accountability, school improvement, and program evaluation.
Co-Principal Investigator – Chicago Community Trust Education Portfolio Evaluation
I led the first three-year evaluation of the Trust’s education funding portfolio as they completed a 5-year giving initiative. Steve Kimball is taking over as the principal investigator as we propose a 4-year follow-on project to study the impact of the Trust’s strategic grant making on the leadership of the regional schools of education and on departmental and area leaders in the Chicago Public Schools.
Chicago Community Trust ($500,000 - Pending)
Implementing measures
of institutional effectiveness
Co-PI with Steven M. Kimball – June 2009-May 2013
Chicago Community Trust ($25,000)
Proposal Planning
Project: Designing measures of institutional effectiveness
Co-PI with Steven M. Kimball – January-May 2009
U.S. Dept. of Education – subcontract from Westat, Inc. ($2.4 million)
Center for Educator Compensation Reform
Co-PI with Robert H. Meyer – November 2007-October 2012
Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Dept. of Education
Subcontract ($300,000)
Longitudinal Data Systems to Support
Data-Driven Decision-Making
Co-PI with Robert H. Meyer – February, 2006-January, 2009
Chicago Community Trust ($427,000)
A mixed methods
evaluation of the Chicago Community Trust’s Education Initiative
PI – June, 2005-Deptember, 2008
UCSD/SDSC, NSF Subcontract ($304,000)
Digital Insight: A Prototype Digital Media Research System
PI – October, 1999-December, 2004
Carnegie Mellon University, NSF Subcontract ($131,000)
TalkBank: Multimedia
Database of Communicative Interactions: Developing an open source model for video and audio
annotation research tools
PI – December, 2000-August, 2002
Spencer Foundation Research Grant ($50,000)
Design of an Upgraded System of Testing,
Accountability, and Data Analysis Supporting Systemic School Reform in the
Milwaukee Public Schools
Co-PI with William Clune – April, 1999-April, 2000
UW-Madison, School of Education, Distinguished Achievement
Award – 2004
German Research Foundation Fellowship – 1993-1996
University of Wisconsin Big Ten Traveling Scholar Grant – 1991
German Academic Exchange Service Pre-Dissertation Research Grant – 1990
Fulbright Commission Collaborative Research Grant – 1989 (Bielefeld, Germany)
Phi Beta Kappa, Indiana University Chapter – 1985
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin Center for Education Research
Principal Investigator & Director of Technical Services
Associate Scientist – April 2009 to present
Assistant Scientist – December 2004 to March 2009
Researcher – January 2003 to November 2004
Associate Researcher – January 1999 to December 2002
Assistant Researcher – August 1997 to December 1998
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Center for Education and Work
Associate Researcher – December 1995 to July 1997
UW-Madison, La Follette Institute and Wisconsin Center for Education Research
Assistant Researcher – January 1992 to July 1996
IP Allocation Committee, Chair – 2008-Present
· Lead the governance group charged with developing and implementing policies to address the acute and worsening shortage of internet addresses.
·
Protect the core missions and advise the provost and the CIO on
appropriate mitigation and intervention strategies.
Wisconsin Institute for Discovery Program Committee – 2006-Present
· Represent the science of infrastructure perspective on the governance group charged with developing the guiding principles and faculty leadership selection criteria for a new $200 million Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, and Information Technology research institute. All other members are named chairs and/or associate deans.
Automated Travel Reimbursement System Committee – 2005-Present
·
Co-developed the initial charge for this project and led the
initial team that got university-wide endorsement for the first major,
user-centered design project for an administrative system.
Social Science Computing Cooperative (SSCC), Steering Committee – 2005-Present
· Negotiated a membership of the Wisconsin Center for Education Research 6 years ago.
· In 2008, negotiated a membership for the School of Education.
· Developed both a scholarly argument and financial model to show that the membership would be mutually beneficial to all parties.
UW-Madison, School of Education, IT Policy Advisory Committee – 1997-Present
· Serve with the Director of MERIT (Media, Education Resources, and Information Technology) as the co-leaders of technology services for the School of Education.
School- and Campus-level Search Committees – 2005-Present
· Wisconsin Center for Education Research, Director
· Wisconsin Center for Education Research, Assistant Director
· Secretary
of the Academic Staff
Kraemer, Sara B., Christopher A. Thorn, and Jeffery G. Watson. 2008. Macroergonomics of Education Reform: A Framework for Transforming Merit-Based Educator Compensation Systems. Conference Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 52nd Annual Meeting, September 22-26, 2008, New York, NY.
Thorn, Christopher A., Robert H. Meyer, and Adam Gamoran. 2007. Evidence and Decision-Making in Education Systems. In Pamela Moss (Ed.). Yearbook of the National Society for the Study of Education, Volume 106, Number 1, pp. 340-361.
Thorn, Christopher A. 2005. Systemic Reform Efforts in the U.S.: Role of Information Technology in Fostering Collaboration within New Partnerships. In Adrie Visscher, Javier Osorio, and Arthur Tatnall (Eds.). Information Technology in Educational Management, Dordrecht, Netherlands, Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Thorn, Christopher A. 2004. Building New Systems for Decision Support: Was there a baby in that bathwater? In Arthur Tatnall (Ed.). Web Portals: the New Gateways to Internet Information and Services, Idea Group Inc. Melbourne, Australia.
Thorn, Christopher A. 2003. Making Decision Support Systems Useful in the Classroom: Designing a Needs Assessment Process. In Ian Selwood, Alex Fung, and Tuulikki Paturi (Eds.). Information Technology in Educational Management, Dordrecht, Netherlands, Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Thorn, Christopher A. 2001. Knowledge Management for Educational Information Systems: What Is the State of the Field? Education Policy Analysis Archives 9(47).
Witte, John F. and Christopher A. Thorn. May 1996. Who Chooses? Voucher and Interdistrict Choice Programs in Milwaukee. American Journal of Education.
Willke, Helmut, Carsten P. Krueck, and Christopher A. Thorn. 1995. Benevolent Conspiracies: the role of enabling technologies in the welfare of nations: the cases of SDI, SEMATECH, and EUREKA. New York: W. de Gruyter.
Thorn, Christopher A. (Forthcoming) What would a longitudinal student data system look like in Wisconsin? Wiscape Policy Brief, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Prince, Cynthia D; Patrick J. Schuermann; James W. Guthrie; Peter J. Witham; Anthony T. Milanowski; and Christopher A. Thorn. 2008. The Other 69 Percent: Fairly Rewarding the Performance of Teachers of Non-Tested Subjects. Center for Educator Compensation Reform. U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Washington, D.C.
Thorn, Christopher A. and Steven Kimbal. 2008. Creating an Evaluation Framework for the Chicago Community Trust Education Program (2008-2013): Building on Lessons from 3-year Evaluation. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin Center for Education Research.
Kimball, Steven M.; Rachel Lander; Christopher A. Thorn. 2008. Evaluation of the Chicago Community Trust Education Initiative: Year Three Report on Pilot Study of the Evaluation Guidelines and Reporting Tools. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin Center for Education Research.
Thorn, Christopher A., Robert Glover, and Jeffery G. Watson. 2007. Information Technology Considerations. Center for Educator Compensation Reform. U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Washington, D.C.
Thorn, Christopher A. and Robert H. Meyer. 2006. Longitudinal data systems to support data-informed decision making: A tri-state partnership between Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin (WCER Working Paper No. 2006-1). Madison: University of Wisconsin–Madison, Wisconsin Center for Education Research. http://www.wcer.wisc.edu/publications/workingPapers/papers.php
Thorn, Christopher A. September 2005. From Expert to Novice and Back Again: An Experienced Qualitative Researcher’s Journey from Manual Methods to Leading a Qualitative Evaluation Team Using NVivo. Paper presented at the Strategies in Qualitative Research Conference, University of Durham, UK.
Thorn, Christopher A. February 2003. Overview of School Operation and Decision Support Software. A report to the MacArthur Teaching and Learning Network, University of Chicago - Center for School Improvement.
Thorn, Christopher A. April 2002. Data Use in the Classroom: The Challenges of Implementing Data-based Decision-making at the School Level. New Orleans, American Education Research Association Annual Conference.
Thorn, Christopher A. March 2002. Making Decision Support Systems Useful in the Classroom: Designing a Needs Assessment Process. Albuquerque, NM, National Center for Education Statistics, 15th Annual MIS Conference.
Thorn, Christopher A. July 2000. Knowledge Management for Educational Information Systems: What is the state of the field? Paper presented at the NCES Data Forum, Washington, D.C.
Thorn, Christopher A. July 1999. Systemic Reform and the MPS Information System, in Technical Reports on Milwaukee Public Schools Policy, Information Systems, and Instructional Alignment. Technical Report 99-1. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Madison, Wisconsin Center for Education Research.
Thorn, Christopher A. December 1998. Information System Design in Support of Reform Efforts, in Technical Reports on Milwaukee Public Schools Policy, Information Systems, and Instructional Alignment. Technical Report 98-1. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Madison, Wisconsin Center for Education Research.
Mason, Sarah A., Christopher A. Thorn, and Jason T. Jonely. October 1996. Skills for the Future - Wisconsin School-to-Work: A study of local implementation 1995-1996. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Center on Education and Work, Madison, WI.
Thorn, Christopher A. September 1996. Images of Cooperation: The importance of strategic alliances as a cooperative model. Research and writing funded by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
Thorn, Christopher A. 1996. Building Expertise In High Technology: New Dynamics Of R&D Funding at U.S. Research Universities, Paper presented at the IEEE Social Implications of Technology Conference at Princeton University, June 20-22.
Witte, John F., Troy D. Sterr, and Christopher A. Thorn. 1996. Fifth-year Report: Milwaukee Parental Choice Program. Madison, WI: Department of Political Science and The Robert M. La Follette Institute of Public Affairs, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Witte, John F., and Christopher A. Thorn. The Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, 1990/1991-1994/1995 [computer file]. Madison, WI: John F. Witte and Christopher A. Thorn [producers], 1995. Madison, WI: Data and Program Library Service [distributor], 1995.
Thorn, Christopher A., John F. Witte, and Troy D. Sterr. 1995. Choice Study Code Book. Madison, WI: The Robert M. La Follette Institute of Public Affairs, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Thorn, Christopher A. 1995. Sematech and the Proliferation of the Cooperative Policy Model. Paper presented at the annual research conference of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management, Panel on Technology Policy and Innovation, Washington, DC, November 3.
Witte, John F., Christopher A. Thorn, and Kim M. Pritchard. 1995. La Follette Issues: Private and public education in Wisconsin - Implications for the Choice debate. Madison, WI: The Robert M. La Follette Institute of Public Affairs, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Thorn, Christopher A. 1994. Dissertation thesis - State Involvement in the Semiconductor Industry: The role and importance of consortia. Bielefeld, Germany: University of Bielefeld.
Witte, John F., Christopher A. Thorn, Kim M. Pritchard, and Michelle Claibourn. 1994. Fourth-year Report: Milwaukee Parental Choice Program. Madison, WI: Department of Political Science and The Robert M. La Follette Institute of Public Affairs, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Also co-author on second- and third-year reports.
May 2008. Linking State Data Systems to Local Reforms. Invited presentation to the Regional Educational Laboratory Midwest Board of Directors Meeting. Bonita Springs, FL.
September 2006. Video analysis software: a review of the field and Are we there yet? - Growing maturity in qualitative tools and methods. Invited presentations at the École Normale Supérieure Lettres et Sciences Humaines, Lyon, France.
September 2006. Are we there yet? - Growing maturity in qualitative tools and methods. Plenary talk at the 7th Annual conference on Strategies in Qualitative Research, University of Durham, UK.
July 2006. Reinventing High School: How would you know if you’d done it? 12 Annual Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development.
February 2006. Building Partnerships: Data-Informed Collaboration Between Districts and Their Partners. Data-Driven Reform in Education. Ninth Annual WCER Conference for Wisconsin CESAs.
January 2004. Knowledge Management and Collaborative Tools in Complex Partnerships, NSF Math and Science Partnership Learning Network Conference, Washington, D.C.
November 2003, Decision Support in District Reform Efforts, Consortium for School Improvement, University of Chicago.
January 2003. Organic School Information Systems: Building a spirit of inquiry versus terraforming by data warehouse. Keynote address and workshop for the Ministry of Education, Ontario Province, Canada.
December 2002. Superintendents as IT Sensemakers: Information Systems in Support of Instructional Decision Making. University of Pittsburgh Superintendents’ Forum - Keynote.
November 2002. Characteristics of successful decision support systems. Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
March 2002. Digital Insight and Transana: Enabling New Histories of Learning for Math and Science Instruction. National Partnership for Advanced Computational Infrastructure, All Hands Meeting, San Diego Supercomputer Center.
January 2001. Issues in Building District-Level Knowledge Management Systems. Wisconsin School Boards Association Conference. Milwaukee, WI.
Conference Organizing:
Host and organize Teaching Qualitative Methods conferences. 2003, 2005, & 2007
Training:
Qualitative research design and research tools – 1995-Present
Consulting:
Wyoming Department of Education
– Data Systems and Decision Support – 2008-Present
Spencer Foundation – Information Systems & Strategy Consultant
– 2003-Present
MacArthur Research Network on Teaching and Learning – 2002-2004
Reviewing:
Regularly review proposals for the Spencer and MacArthur Foundations related to information & educational technology
Review for various AERA journals
External Committes:
IFIP: IT in Educational Management Working Group (Secretary) – 2004-Present
AERA Standing Committee on Technology (Chair 2002-2004, 2005-2006) – 2001-2006
American Educational Research Association (AERA): Educational Leadership and Evaluation
International Federation for Information Processing: Working Group on IT in Educational Management