Laurie Baker

Laurie Baker is an education leader with national experience in the areas of rural education, innovative school design, and change management. Having served as a teacher, administrator, and volunteer advocate, she has firsthand experience in how various environmental conditions can impact student achievement. Dr. Baker’s research includes studying the relationship between local fiscal capacity and student achievement.

Dr. Baker joined RTI in 2016 and has led or supported various educational reform projects in Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. She has an extensive background as a practitioner, having served as a high school English teacher, middle school assistant principal, high school assistant principal, and early college high school principal. She is also a court-appointed Guardian ad Litem—an advocate for abused and neglected children.