The Marzano Evaluation Center is the foremost resource for research-based educator evaluation — trusted nationwide by school districts seeking to improve instructional and leadership practices through meaningful, growthoriented evaluation systems.
OUR MISSION
Foster greater learning through evaluation that actually develops people.
Our mission is for each student to learn, grow, and produce better outcomes by fostering an environment of greater learning where both educators and leaders utilize research-based evaluation models to continually improve
Most evaluation systems were designed for compliance. Ours were designed for growth. There’s a difference — and it shows up in how teachers feel about their evaluations, how principals use observation data, and how districts sustain improvement over time.
We’ve built four aligned evaluation frameworks — for teachers, school leaders, district leaders, and support staff — and backed each one with professional development and purpose-built observation software. That combination is rare in this industry. We think it matters.
ABOUT OUR RESEARCH
The Marzano evaluation models are built on more than 30 years of ongoing research connecting educator behaviors to student outcomes. Dr. Marzano’s research has been cited in thousands of studies and implemented in thousands of districts worldwide.
Our Director of Research, Dr. Lindsey Basileo, leads ongoing validation work — including ongoing validation research examining the predictive relationship between observation scores and student achievement—currently undergoing peer review. We don’t just cite research. We produce it.
MARZANO EVALUATION CENTER AND INSTRUCTIONAL EMPOWERMENT
The Marzano Evaluation Center is a division of Instructional Empowerment, Inc. We operate as a distinct brand — separate identity, separate focus — because Dr. Marzano’s evaluation work — and the reputation and following behind it — are distinct enough to warrant it. Our districts work with MEC. Our contracts run through Instructional Empowerment.
Either name works. Same team, same mission.
OUR TEAM
The people behind the work
Our executive team brings decades of in-classroom and district leadership experience — which is why our models and our implementation support feel different from what evaluation vendors typically provide.
Robert Marzano
Ph.D.
Over 50 years of experience in education research, professional development, and curriculum design. He is a leading researcher and author of over 30 books, including The New Art and Science of Teaching, renowned for transforming research into practical instructional strategies used worldwide by educators. As a soughtafter international speaker and trainer, Dr. Marzano has expertise across numerous areas such as standards-based assessment, evaluation, and school leadership. The only researcher whose name is associated with a single observation system — iObservation.
Lorah Neville
M.Ed.
As Director of Marzano Evaluation Center, Lorah utilizes her extensive in-field experience to guide our evaluation center in everything from working with our Director of Research to incorporate the latest education research for student outcomes to collaborating with our staff to ensure that the implementation of our evaluation models in your school or district is a frictionless process.
Martha Hightower
Ed.D.
Dr. Martha Hightower serves as the Product Development Specialist for Marzano Evaluation Center. In addition, she delivers professional development to both teachers and school leaders in various schools to improve planning, instruction, and evaluation.
Lindsey Basileo
Ph.D.
Dr. Lindsey Devers Basileo is the Director of Research at the Applied Research Center of Instructional Empowerment. Dr. Basileo’s dedication to conducting thorough and impartial research in the field of education has not only tremendously helped our organization, but the many students and educators that we collaborate with through our efforts to improve educational outcomes in schools.
OUR EXPERTS
Field-based expertise across every role and region.
Our professional development and coaching team brings classroom and district leadership experience to every engagement — so the support we provide is grounded in what actually happens in schools
Diane Stultz
Julie Bettis
Gwendolyn Bryant
Todd Cluff
Chaton Davis
Debra Friedman
April Grace
Tammy Quist
Eva TuckerNevels
Karen Linville Doty
Join our team
We're always looking for experienced educators and PD specialists to join our team of experts. If you have school or district leadership experience and a passion for building evaluation systems that actually develop people, we'd like to hear from you.
View Open PositionsBuilding Expertise National Conference
Each June in Orlando, we host the Building Expertise for Deeper Learning National Conference, a gathering of educators, school leaders, and district administrators focused on instructional practice and evaluation. Dr. Marzano is a featured presenter.
View Conference DetailsJoin our team
We’re always looking for experienced educators and PD specialists to join our team of experts. If you have school or district leadership experience and a passion for building evaluation systems that actually develop people, we’d like to hear from you.
Building Expertise National Conference
Each June in Orlando, we host the Building Expertise for Deeper Learning National Conference — a gathering of educators, school leaders, and district administrators focused on instructional practice and evaluation. Dr. Marzano is a featured presenter.
Ready to talk about your school or district’s evaluation system?
Our specialists bring real school and district experience to every conversation. No scripts, no pressure — just a focused discussion about what your district needs.
No obligation. Response within one business day
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Explore our work
Each June in Orlando, we host the Building Expertise for Deeper Learning National Conference — a gathering of educators, school leaders, and district administrators focused on instructional practice and evaluation. Dr. Marzano is a featured presenter.
Focused Teacher Evaluation Model School Leader Evaluation Model Support Staff Evaluation Model
Evaluation by Design – Coming September 2026Ready to talk about your school or district's evaluation system?
Our specialists bring real school and district experience to every conversation. No scripts, no pressure, just a focused discussion about what your district needs.
Schedule a Discovery Call
No obligation. Response within one business day
Explore our work
- Focused Teacher Evaluation Model
- School Leader Evaluation Model
- Support Staff Evaluation Model
-
Evaluation by Design – Coming September 2026
