David Rutkowski is a leading expert in educational assessment and program evaluation, with over two decades of experience working alongside schools, districts, and policymakers to ensure that assessment serves one core purpose: helping students and educators succeed.

As a Professor of Education Research Methods at Indiana University, David has dedicated his career to ensuring that schools use data to inform, not dictate, instructional practice. He believes that assessments should work for teachers, not against them—that data should support student learning without disrupting the classroom.

David is widely published in the field of educational assessment and evaluation, with his research appearing in top academic journals and policy reports. He is a consultant for international organizations, national and state governments and local schools. He represents Indiana as the higher education representative to Smarter Balanced and serves on its executive board. Additionally, he is an editor of leading publications in education, where he contributes to advancing research and practice in the field.

Putting Students and Educators First

Too often, assessment policies are written far from the schools they affect. David is committed to putting students and educators at the center of evaluation and assessment practices. He works with superintendents, principals, and teachers to ensure that:

• Assessments drive learning, not compliance – Data should help teachers tailor instruction, not just serve as a bureaucratic checkbox.

• Teachers remain the professionals they are – Educators know their students best. Evaluations should enhance their ability to teach, not undermine their expertise.

• Students aren’t reduced to numbers – Every assessment should serve a clear educational purpose, ensuring that students are more than just test scores.

A Researcher Who Understands Schools

David’s work is rooted in the realities of classrooms. He has partnered with schools, districts, and education agencies to design fair, effective, and actionable assessment systems that respect both students' learning needs and teachers' professional judgment. His expertise spans:

• Assessment & Accountability – Helping districts navigate high-stakes testing, formative assessments, and student growth models while keeping instruction at the center.

• Program Evaluation – Conducting independent evaluations of school initiatives to identify what works and what doesn’t, ensuring that resources go where they matter most.

• Education Policy Analysis – Advising state and national policymakers to create assessment policies that are practical, equitable, and focused on student success.

David has led multi-million-dollar evaluations of educational programs across the U.S. and internationally, working with organizations like the U.S. Department of Education, UNESCO, the OECD, and the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA).

Using Data to Let Teachers Teach

At R2Evaluation, our mission is simple: Use data wisely and let teachers teach. The best assessment systems are the ones that empower educators rather than burden them. Whether it’s refining student growth measures, evaluating curriculum initiatives, or designing teacher-friendly assessments, David ensures that schools get the insights they need without sacrificing instructional time.

Let’s Work Together

If your district or school is looking for better ways to use assessment data, evaluate a program, or make smarter policy decisions, David Rutkowski and R2Evaluation are here to help.

Because when we put students and educators first, better outcomes follow.