Prior to coming to Illinois, he was an Assistant Professor of Education at Clemson University and a Senior Researcher for the National Center of Educational Outcomes (NCEO) at the University of Minnesota, where he received his PhD. His work includes research on the effects of federal and state education policies and priorities on students with disabilities’ educational services. He is Principal Investigator of an Institute of Education Sciences Goal 2 grant, Project IEP Quality – Core: Implementing the Common Core State Standards for Students with Disabilities: Research and Development of Web-based Supports for IEP Team Decisions (R324A120081; 2012 -2016). The goal of this effort is to build the capacity of teachers and schools to help students achieve to high standards.