Andreas Schleicher is Director for Education and Skills at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). He initiated and oversees the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and other international instruments that have created a global platform for policy-makers, researchers and educators to innovate and transform educational policies and practices.
He has worked for over 20 years with ministers and education leaders in over 80 countries to improve quality, equity and efficiency in education. Former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said that Schleicher “understands the global issues and challenges as well as or better than anyone I’ve met, and he tells me the truth”. Former UK Secretary of State Michael Gove called Schleicher “the most important man in English education” – even though he is German and lives in France (The Atlantic, July 11).
As a key member of the OECD’s Senior Management team, he supports the Secretary-General with analysis and advice to advance economic growth and social progress, and promotes the work of the organization on a global stage. He also provides strategic and managerial oversight of the Education and Skills Directorate’s 200 staff.
He studied Physics in Germany and received a degree in Mathematics and Statistics in Australia. He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the “Theodor Heuss” prize, awarded in the name of the first president of the Federal Republic of Germany for “exemplary democratic engagement”.
He holds honorary Professorships at the University of Heidelberg (Germany) and at the Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University (Ukraine).