Cheryl A. Almeida

Research Director

Contact Cheryl A. Almeida

Cheryl Almeida directs JFF’s research on improving options and outcomes for struggling students and out-of-school youth. She has over 25 years experience in research, evaluation, and policy and program development in education and child development. Her recent publications have focused on the education persistence of dropouts and on state policies that support improved outcomes for struggling students and out-of-school youth.

Previously, Ms. Almeida provided technical assistance and professional development to JFF’s Connected Learning Communities Network and helped develop a tool kit that offers practical ways for communities to develop, sustain, and assess community-connected learning. Previously, for the Benchmark Communities Initiative, she was lead designer on cross-site surveys for teachers, business supervisors, and students; conducted site visits to assess district status on school-to-career goals, implementation, and success; and wrote policy-based reports on findings.

Before joining JFF, Ms. Almeida spent 15 years experience as an education consultant on research, policy, professional development, and evaluation. She received her M.A. from Tufts University in applied developmental psychology and her B.A. in psychology from Holy Cross College.