Hoover Institution research fellow Williamson “Bill” Evers ‘72 has been nominated for a job as assistant secretary of education by President George W. Bush.

While he still must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, the adviser to the Stanford College Republicans has already stepped down from his post as a member on the Santa Clara County Board of Education.

Colleagues were quick to praise the education policy wonk, who has served as a member of the Koret Task Force on K-12 education and worked at The Daily as an undergraduate.

Hoover Director John Raisian called Evers a “walking encyclopedia of knowledge associated with the K-12 education system in the United States.”

“Because of Bill’s expanse of knowledge and keen interest and analytical skills,” Raisian wrote in an email to The Daily, “the Department of Education has recruited a terrific resource for articulating and designing education policy for the remainder of the [Bush] Administration.”

The announcement was made on Feb. 8. The timetable for moving into the new job is unclear. Evers declined to comment for this story, citing a White House policy that forbids unconfirmed nominees from speaking with the news media.

“It is gratifying to see that the U.S. Department of Education is reaching out to such highly qualified people to serve in the policy process,” said Hoover Fellow Eric Hanushek, who has served with Evers on the Koret Task Force since 1999. “Improving our schools is critical to the nation, and it cannot happen without strong and enlightened leadership.”

If, as expected, Evers is confirmed, he will become the Department of Education’s Assistant Secretary for the Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development (OPEPD). According to the department’s job description, this appointee “serves as the principal adviser to the Secretary [of Education] on all matters relating to policy development and review; performance measurement and evaluation; budget processes and proposals.”

Hanushek said that Evers’ nomination is particularly timely because Congress is currently debating the re-authorization of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).

“Bill Evers has especially deep knowledge about educational standards and testing and has been involved in the development of these in a variety of states across the nation, including California,” Hanushek said. “This first-hand experience with the programs of different states is critical because NCLB relies upon the standards and accountability systems of each state.”

When he starts his new job, he will take a leave of absence from Hoover.

Members of the Santa Clara County Board of Education praised Evers for his passion for — and dedication to — public education.

“Bill has a great passion for curriculum and for ensuring that students meet standards,” said Palo Alto Superintendent Mary Frances Callan. “Whether as a parent or as a member on the county board, he has always ensured that we received information regarding curriculum and educational trends.”

Mandy Lowell, a member of the Santa Clara County Board, noted that Evers has worked hard at local and state levels to set curriculum content standards that help children learn and to provide parents with information about the quality of education.

“Bill works to make sure that all kids, whether they are from an affluent family or an impoverished one, or whether they are English language learners [or fluent English speakers], can learn to read, write and solve problems in elementary school and [thus] have the opportunity to go on to college,” she said.

The U.S. Department of Education deputy press secretary said Evers will likely assume his duties shortly after confirmation.

Hanushek said he hopes Evers will encourage the Department of Education to rely more heavily on evidence when developing policy.

“Until recently, policy discussions have involved surprisingly little research evidence,” Hanushek said. “[Bill Evers] has a real appreciation for the importance of research and evaluation in designing programs, and I expect him to be a forceful advocate for greater reliance on high quality evidence.”