Kathryn Young

Director, National Education Policy

Contact Kathryn Young

Kathryn Young directs JFF’s education policy development, advocating nationally for policies that improve pathways to and through college for youth and adults. Her work includes efforts to improve educational options and outcomes for the large and growing numbers of low-income youth and adults struggling in today’s economy.

Before joining JFF, Ms. Young served as a policy advisor to the assistant secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education. In this role she developed major policy proposals and managed key grant programs within that office related to school improvement, teacher quality, literacy, and secondary schools. Her work included the management, policy development, and communications for grant programs funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act such as the Teacher Incentive Fund and the School Improvement Grant program.

Ms. Young has also led the development of education policy and legislation as the education legislative assistant for U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and for the National Governors Association’s Education, Early Childhood, and Workforce Committee. Prior to her time in Washington, DC, she worked in special education as a middle school teacher, case manager, and program administrator.

Ms. Young received her Master’s in learning disabilities, curriculum, and teaching from Teachers College at Columbia University. She also holds a Bachelor’s in political science from Duke University.