Danielle Branson is the Deputy Superintendent of Academics and Schools, District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education. In this role, Danielle oversees the divisions of Teaching and Learning, Postsecondary and Career Education, Systems and Supports K-12, and Health and Wellness.

Danielle brings 15 years of experience in education policy, measurement, and strategic planning to the District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). She previously served as the Deputy Assistant Superintendent of K-12, where she provided critical leadership over the agency’s recovery funding, school improvement, fiscal operations, and systems improvement work. She started at OSSE as the Director of Statewide Assessments, leading the development and implementation of the team’s Next Generation Assessment System for over 5 years.

Prior to joining OSSE, Danielle served as an Engagement Manager with the U.S. Education Delivery Institute, providing strategic planning, capacity building, and training to district and state Superintendents and leadership teams across the country. At Achieve Inc., Danielle worked with over 20 states across the country to develop new common assessments measuring the Common Core State Standards and managed cross-state governance and accessibility policies. Danielle started her career as a middle school special education educator in Washington, DC and is passionate about her continued service to the students in the District.

Danielle earned her bachelor’s degree in English literature and philosophy from Carnegie Mellon University, a master’s degree in special education from George Mason University through Teach for America, and a master’s degree in education, social, and family policy from the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University.