GCPS educator recognized among Top 10 School Executive Directors 2026

     Gwinnett County Public Schools’ (GCPS) Executive Director of Accountability and Assessment, Miranda McLaren, is being spotlighted for her innovative work in reshaping how assessments serve students. As featured in Education Insider, McLaren shares how GCPS is redefining testing to make it meaningful, student-focused, and a true gateway to opportunity.

     GCPS has implemented several groundbreaking initiatives, including offering the SAT during school hours for all high school juniors—at no cost to families. This approach removes barriers such as registration fees and weekend scheduling, ensuring every student has access to college opportunities.

     McLaren explains, “The great thing is that our students have started performing above the national average. I saw that shift in my own son when he took the Preliminary SAT. As we looked at his results together, he discovered that he qualified for Advanced Placement (AP) classes, an exciting affirmation of how capable he truly is. That’s what this initiative is really about. Testing may not be everyone’s favorite thing, but when used the right way, it can be a powerful equalizer.”

     She also discusses how the district’s decision to embrace digitalization has revolutionized assessment practices. “Moving our assessments online has made everything faster and smarter,” McLaren shares. “Every nine weeks, from grade three through high school, we run district assessments that help us see exactly what students have mastered and where they might need extra help. The real power of digital technology lies in its speed. We no longer wait weeks for papers to be scanned or graded; results are available instantly, providing us with the insight we need to act in the moment.”

To read the full article, please visit the Education Insider webpage.