Lauren Banks Amos
About Lauren Banks Amos
Lauren Banks Amos serves as the Principal Investigator for the School Discipline Alliance at Mathematica, where she has worked since 2019. She has extensive experience in education research and evaluation, having held various leadership roles in organizations such as the American Institutes for Research and Manhattan Strategy Group.
Work at Mathematica
Currently, Lauren Banks Amos serves as a Co-Principal Investigator for the Developing Improved Measures of School Climate in Pennsylvania project at Mathematica. This role has been ongoing since 2019, contributing to the enhancement of educational environments within the Washington D.C. Metro Area. Additionally, she holds the position of Principal Investigator for the School Discipline Alliance, also starting in 2019. In these roles, she is involved in research and initiatives aimed at improving school climate and addressing issues related to school discipline.
Previous Experience at Manhattan Strategy Group
Prior to her current roles, Lauren Banks Amos worked at Manhattan Strategy Group from 2016 to 2019. During this time, she held several positions, including Team Lead for the New York State Education Department Student Growth Measures, Associate Director of Education Research, and Project Director for the Education Innovation and Research Program Dissemination Project. Her work involved leading research and evaluation projects focused on education policy and program effectiveness.
Career at American Institutes for Research
Lauren Banks Amos has an extensive background at the American Institutes for Research, where she worked from 2004 to 2016. Her roles included Project Director for various evaluations, such as the National Clearinghouse on Supportive School Discipline and the Gates Millennium Scholars Program. She also served as a Task Lead for the CS for All Teachers Community of Practice and contributed to multiple projects aimed at enhancing educational practices and policies.
Education and Expertise
Lauren Banks Amos earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Policy Studies and English from Duke University, where she studied from 1994 to 1998. She furthered her education at Northwestern University, obtaining a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Learning Sciences. Her expertise includes designing data collection systems for program evaluation, facilitating virtual communities of practice, and developing content for educational and governmental organizations.
Research Focus and Initiatives
Lauren Banks Amos has led significant research initiatives, including a study at REL Mid-Atlantic that examined exclusionary school discipline policies impacting Black students and students with disabilities in Maryland. Her work emphasizes the importance of equitable educational practices and the development of supportive school climates. She is also experienced in convening national and regional meetings, conferences, and task forces to address pressing issues in education.