Tara Donahue, Ph.D., Ohio State Co-Coordinator, has over 20 years of experience as a technical assistance (TA) provider, evaluator, and researcher for a variety of K-20 areas. She has worked with multiple comprehensive centers serving as both an evaluator and TA provider on a variety of initiatives, including those focusing on teacher evaluation systems and preparing high-quality teachers. Dr. Donahue has also served as a researcher and TA provider on a Regional Educational Laboratory project that explored Praxis® pass rates and teacher preparation courses.

Dr. Donahue began her career providing TA, professional development, and research/evaluation services to out-of-school time and extended learning programs, including the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program. Over the past two decades, she has evaluated grants supported by the Comprehensive School Reform, Investing in Innovation, National Professional Development, Supporting Effective Educator Development, Investing in Innovation, Teacher Quality Partnership, and Trade Adjustment Assistance Career and Community College Training federal programs. These projects involved a variety of content areas, including college and career readiness, professional learning community initiatives, English learners, family engagement, school reform and improvement, and teacher preparation. Most recently, Dr. Donahue managed a technical and logistical support services contract for the National Assessment Governing Board.

Her work in Ohio involves providing support for initiatives to diversify the educator workforce throughout Ohio, address the needs of the whole child, and design resources and guidance on high-quality instruction and curriculum-based professional learning.