Alexander Francie

Francie Alexander

Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

Francie Alexander is an industry leader in the fields of early childhood education, literacy, and intensive intervention for striving reading and math students. Francie provides inspirational and informative leadership on topics from early and adolescent learning to brain development and its influence on childhood and teenage learning. She works closely to listen to and learn from key school districts across the United States in order to lead HMH's efficacy efforts.

Francie currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Text Project. She served for almost 10 years on the PBS Next Generation Media Advisory Board. She was previously Chief Academic Officer for Scholastic. She has been a frequent guest on NBC's TODAY Show, has written columns for The New York Post, and was "The Book Nanny" for Los Angeles Family Magazine. Additionally, Francie has authored more than 50 books for children, including the STEM Curious George Readers. She currently provides monthly Book Talks in HMH’s Teachers Corner.

Francie is a former member of the National Assessment Governing Board, which oversees the National Assessment of Educational Progress, widely known as "The Nation's Report Card." Prior to her time at HMH, Francie held key positions in both state and federal education agencies. One such position included serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Education's research branch, where she led department-sponsored standards efforts and campaigns in support of libraries and the arts. Francie also served as the Associate Superintendent for curriculum, instruction, and assessment for the California Department of Education. She is in the California Reading Hall of Fame, and she received the annual Marcus Foster Award for contributions to Literacy for All in California.

Francie's work is grounded in the classroom, as she has taught students from kindergarten to college. She holds a California Life Teaching Credential from the University of California, Los Angeles, and an M.A. degree in Education and California Administrative Credential from California Lutheran University, where she was a lecturer.

 
WF1791680 hero teacher and students clapping

Learn about repeated reading, its benefits, and some how-tos for providing students with the opportunity to read texts again and again.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

How to Promote Kindness in Our Kids

Former teacher and current HMH Chief Academic Officer Francie Alexander offers educators some tips on how to create a kindness movement in their classrooms and communities.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

WF1370450 Summer Slide HERO 1

Keep your students learning and engaged with these strategies and activities to prevent summer slide from HMH's Chief Research Officer.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

illustrated stack of books with science items like a beaker and magnet around them

Get book recommendations to learn more about the science of reading and see how children learn to read and develop as strategic readers.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

Formative reading assessment usable data hero

Formative reading assessments measure what students have learned so far—and the data help inform teachers’ instruction.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

Dr. Amy Endo
Education Research Director, Supplemental & Intervention Language & Literacy

Renee Behring
Education Research Director, Core ELA

Dr. Terry Salinger
Institute Fellow and Chief Scientist for Literacy Research, American Institutes for Research

8 elements of reading literacy instruction hero

These eight elements of reading and literacy instruction can serve as the foundation of an effective literacy program.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

Dr. Amy Endo
Education Research Director, Supplemental & Intervention Language & Literacy

Renee Behring
Education Research Director, Core ELA

Dr. Terry Salinger
Institute Fellow and Chief Scientist for Literacy Research, American Institutes for Research

Structuring the literacy block hero

The most productive literacy block schedules include various reading and writing activities and instruction to help build foundational skills.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

Dr. Amy Endo
Education Research Director, Supplemental & Intervention Language & Literacy

Renee Behring
Education Research Director, Core ELA

Dr. Terry Salinger
Institute Fellow and Chief Scientist for Literacy Research, American Institutes for Research

Social and Emotional Learning Strategies

Nurturing students social emotional learning during COVID-19 is essential. Explore key SEL principles that schools and educators can use during the pandemic.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

Dr. Amy Endo
Education Research Director, Supplemental & Intervention Language & Literacy

research-backed ways to close the COVID learning gap

These strategies for closing the COVID Learning Gap can support efforts to improve student outcomes and help address the issue of interrupted schooling.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

WF1138053 5 Reading Resolutions Hero Image Opt1 85cab6aa25ee358f8b9ee45ba7a4bd78

Educators, families, and communities working together can achieve HMH Chief Research Officer Francie Alexander's goal of Literacy for All!

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

Blog Book Club hero image 1

In a time of social distancing, reading with students and encouraging them to read for pleasure can improve their social-emotional learning.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

Wf1137918 5 Reading Resolutions For 2020 Hero Image Opt3

HMH's Chief Research Officer examines recent research on why the pursuit of knowledge is integral to learning to read and learning about ourselves, others, and the world.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

Wf1137798 Navigate The Two Worlds Of Reading Hero Image Revised

HMH's Chief Research Officer examines recent research on the different demands placed on the reader by the modality and how to enable students to adapt between print and digital.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

Wf1072984 Getting Reading Right From The Start Hero Image  Final

HMH's Chief Research Officer examines how recent research can lead the way to improving literacy outcomes for our learners and unlocking their potential as readers.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

July System44

Learn the thinking behind the name System 44, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

April Read180 2

HMH's Francie Alexander explores strategies that can be used to improve literacy among English learners, students with disabilities, and others.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

Hmheducator Confidence Report

What matters most in a student’s education—and is most likely to impact student success? Our new Educator Confidence Report answers that question and more.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

Essaprof Learning

ESSA provides a revamped definition of the term "professional development" to help teachers maximize K-12 student achievement.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research