May 01, 2011

Jeff Rose, Ed.D. ‘08 becomes one of the youngest superintendents in the state

Jeff Rose, Ed.D. ‘08, has been described as a “rising star.” Indeed, the 38-year-old is now among the youngest superintendents in Oregon. He has been chosen to lead the Beaverton School District, the third largest in Oregon with 39,000 students.

Jeff Rose, Ed.D. ‘08, has been described as a “rising star.” Indeed, the 38-year-old is now among the youngest superintendents in Oregon. He has been chosen to lead the Beaverton School District, the third largest in Oregon with 39,000 students.

Rose began his career teaching fourth and fifth graders in the West Linn/Wilsonville School District. His natural leadership abilities quickly emerged, and Rose’s principal encouraged him to pursue school administration. In fall 2000, after earning his administrative credentials at Lewis & Clark, Rose jumped at the opportunity to become a principal in the Parkrose School District. From there, he moved on to lead the 5,000 student Canby School District. The Beaverton School Board chair, Tom Quillin, says that Rose “brings a track record of innovation and unrelenting focus on advancing student achievement. Dr. Rose is the right leader to help drive our schools to the next level.”

As a student, Rose struggled in school. But that experience has guided him to push for equity and access to high quality education for all students, perhaps especially those that are harder to engage. “Rather than lower the standards for students who are struggling, convince them these (higher) standards are meant for them, too,” Rose said. “We need to help kids be successful so they can believe in themselves.”

Among Rose’s main challenges as leader of the large district will be massive cuts in state funding for education that are predicted to have effects well into the next decade.

Read more about Rose in this Oregonian profile, and a profile of Rose from the Chronicle magazine before he became a superintendent.