RBS is a non-profit organization comprised of educators, developers, technical assistance personnel, writers, researchers, evaluators, and information technology, marketing, and communications professionals who serve as valuable resource partners to the educational community.
Pilar Bartlett, Research Associate, performs quantitative and qualitative analysis of evaluation data, conducts fieldwork, including classroom observations of K-12 settings, contributes to the writing of evaluation reports, and assists in developing content and populating websites for clients. She has experience analyzing large national datasets and presenting data and research on indicators of child well-being in various formats. Pilar received her undergraduate degree from Princeton University in sociology and her master’s degree from Georgetown University in public policy
Leron Brown, Controller, is charged with financial and fiscal reporting, which include maintenance of standard accounting policies, internal control systems, general ledger, payroll administration, and fixed assets. He is also responsible for cash management, federal, state and local tax filings, and accounts payable and receivable. Leron holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from LaSalle University.
Debra Coffey, Researcher, has designed and conducted multi-method evaluations for clients in the nonprofit, educational, and governmental sectors. Her experience includes instrument design and implementation, analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, and document and discourse analysis. She has particular expertise in the analysis of educational policies and their effects on teachers and students. She holds a master’s degree from the University of London and is currently pursuing her doctorate in education policy at the University of Delaware.
Carol Crociante, Executive Secretary, provides a wide array of administrative assistance, including preparation of RBS correspondence, executive summaries and reports, conference registration, and publications. Carol also maintains mailing lists and database files, and coordinates internal and external meetings.
Kelly Feighan, Assistant Director for Evaluation, designs and implements educational evaluations for clients in the nonprofit, academic, and governmental sectors. Her quasi-experimental research designs measure the outcomes of intervention and comparison groups from data collected through an array of methods including observation, surveys, interviews, record extraction, and secondary data analysis. Kelly also develops instruments, analyzes large-scale educational data sets, and synthesizes literature into research briefs. She received undergraduate and graduate degrees in sociology from Temple University, and the University of Maryland.
Jill Feldman, Director of Research and Evaluation, is responsible for providing oversight and supervision of RBS internal and external evaluation projects. She has expertise in quantitative methods, instrument development, and developmental psychology. Jill received a bachelor of business administration and French from Rutgers College, an American Montessori Society early childhood credential from Chestnut Hill College, and master's and doctorate degrees in educational psychology from Temple University.
Doris Harris, Executive Assistant, has over 25 years of administrative experience. She handles a range of duties and responsibilities including staff support, human resources, and liaison to the RBS Board of Directors.
Vonda Johnson, Evaluation Associate, conducts social service and educational evaluations for clients in the academic, not-for-profit, and governmental sectors. She provides a variety of services including instrument development, data collection, data management, and survey and data analysis. Vonda has a special interest in the use of CQI/TQM in formative evaluation. She holds a Master of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Public Administration from NYU’s Wagner School of Public Service.
Keith M. Kershner, Executive Director, is responsible for developing and managing RBS. He directs RBS’ research and development, and evaluation services groups. He also leads RBS work in the areas of communications, higher education, and international studies. Keith holds a bachelor of Slavic languages from Princeton University, a master's degree in educational research from Bucknell University, and a doctorate in behavioral sciences from the University of Delaware. He also has earned a certificate of linguistic proficiency from the University of Vienna.
Elena Kirtcheva, Research Associate, designs and implements program evaluations for clients in the nonprofit, academic, and governmental sectors of the education industry. She has extensive experience with research design, instrument development, and large-scale data management and analysis. She is interested in both quantitative and qualitative methods, and has expertise in handling survey and longitudinal data. She holds a bachelor's degree from Colgate University, and a master's degree in political science from the Pennsylvania State University. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Comparative Politics and Quantitative Methodology at Penn State University.
Eric Kucharik, Research Assistant, performs educational evaluations for clients in the nonprofit, educational, and governmental sectors. His experience includes survey design, development, and administration, large-scale data management, and quantitative and qualitative data analysis. He received his undergraduate degree in Applied Psychology from Penn State and is currently pursuing his master's degree in applied psychological research at Penn State.
Tom Lorenz, Manager of Information Systems, oversees the technology infrastructure at RBS. He is also responsible for the design and maintenance of the RBS Web site, and has taught basic Web design classes for area teachers. Tom also creates and designs many of RBS’ collateral materials, including book covers, brochures, and direct mailers. He holds a bachelor of arts degree specializing in music education from Rowan University.
Louis M. Maguire provides management, and fiscal and organizational development expertise to RBS. He also leads the publications unit, directs RBS evaluation and school improvement projects, and serves as and education liaison to Delaware and Maryland. Lou holds an undergraduate degree in English from St. Joseph’s College, and master’s and doctorate degrees in educational administration from Temple University.
Richard “Skip” McCann, Director of Educational Improvement Projects, focuses on managing research, development, and technical assistance projects. His areas of concentration include policy development, program planning and implementation, budgeting, curriculum design, instructional materials development, professional development and staff training, application of R&D, and evaluation of educational improvement programs. Skip received his undergraduate degree in American studies from Amherst College, and a graduate degree in education from Harvard University. Additionally, he conducted doctoral studies in learning and instruction at UCLA.
Ning Rui, Evaluation Associate, conducts evaluations for clients in the academic, nonprofit, and governmental sectors. He has experience in test evaluation, survey design and administration, and analysis of nationally representative data sets. His primary interests include design and planning of group randomized trials and quasi-experiments in program and policy evaluation, longitudinal and multilevel data analysis, and GIS mapping and cartographic analysis. He is currently a doctoral candidate in Policy Research & Evaluation at Penn.
Lindsay Wilhelmi, Evaluation Associate, conducts educational evaluations in the nonprofit, academic, and governmental sectors, including survey design and development, on-site observations, and student achievement analysis. Lindsay provides feedback to clients in the form of written reports, oral presentations, and debriefing sessions with stakeholders. She earned her bachelor of science degree in digital media from Drexel University, and master's degree in urban education from Temple University.