Education Roundtable hires former union lobbyist as director

Dan Clark, the former chief lobbyist for the Indiana State Teachers Association, has been named executive director of the
Indiana Education Roundtable.

Clark was named Thursday by Tony Bennett, the superintendent of public instruction, and Teresa Lubbers, the commissioner
for higher education.

In the newly created position, Clark will direct efforts to coordinate and align Indiana’s K-12 and postsecondary educational
systems, as well as work force agencies like the Department of Workforce Development.

“We need our education system to keep pace with our rapidly changing economy,” Lubbers said in a statement. “This
alignment will help us identify ways to better focus our efforts on preparing all students for successful careers and college.”

The Education Roundtable was established in 1999 to ensure the state has high academic standards. It is co-chaired by Benett
and Gov. Mitch Daniels. Its 32 members include business, community, education and legislative leaders.

The Roundtable plans to start a new initiative, called Partnership for Indiana’s Future, that would construct a network
of education, civic and business organizations throughout the state to build support for change in K-16 education.

Clark comes to his new position after leading policy advocacy for the state’s largest teachers union. He has previously
worked as a middle school teacher in Lafayette and a Congressional district staff director. He holds a doctorate in American
economic history from Purdue University.

“Education must change so all students acquire the skills and knowledge to compete in the global economy,” Clark
said in a statement. “This transformation is essential for our children to succeed as well as for our state’s
economic health.”