Smarter Balanced Appoints Karen Barton as Deputy Executive Director

Barton brings more than two decades of leadership experience in assessment and learning

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Smarter Balanced has appointed Dr. Karen Barton as Deputy Executive Director, effective October 12, 2026. Working closely with Executive Director Tony Alpert, Barton will oversee major operational portfolios, coordinate work across teams, and align resources with the Consortium's strategic priorities and member needs.

"Karen earned unanimous support from our multidisciplinary interview panels, including representatives from our member education agencies," said Alpert. "She brings a student-centered focus and the combination of skills needed to lead our complex operations. I'm thrilled she is joining our staff as we innovate to help accelerate student learning across the country."

Barton brings more than two decades of experience in assessment and learning organizations. She has led teams spanning research and measurement, assessment development, human and AI scoring, and technology. Her work includes advancing assessment processes and platforms and partnering with state education agencies to strengthen quality, governance, and public trust.

"As a former special education teacher, I care deeply about whether assessments give every student a fair opportunity to show what they know and provide educators with information they can use," said Barton. "I'm excited to work with Smarter Balanced members and staff to put that commitment into practice and deliver tools that help educators support each student's learning."

About Smarter Balanced
Smarter Balanced is a member-led consortium providing the most comprehensive and innovative standards-aligned system that supports teaching and learning and improves local and statewide systems. Our dynamic system of educational tools — developed in collaboration with our members and educators — gives teachers integrated lessons, activities, and methods of gauging progress, along with interim and summative assessments that provide actionable data as students progress toward college- and career-readiness. www.smarterbalanced.org

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SOURCE Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium