Doug Paulson

Doug Paulson has more than 20 years of experience as a teacher, school administrator, and state education leader. His primary role is to support state and local education agencies in revising and implementing state academic standards and creating programs and professional development that improve academic achievement for all students, with a focus on science education. 

Previously, Paulson served as the state STEM specialist and the director of academic standards and instructional effectiveness for the state of Minnesota. In that role, he developed extensive experience with policy development and worked with K–12 educators, higher education faculty, and communities to engage voices and perspectives. He served as a state lead for the development of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and eventually led the adaptation of the NGSS standards for Minnesota. In addition, he directed the revision and implementation of physical education, arts, social studies, mathematics, and English language arts academic standards, including embedding computer science into all content standards, and did so in partnership with educators, parents, the business community, and the 11 sovereign tribal nations within the state. He has also directed policies on gifted and talented programs; third-grade literacy proficiency and dyslexia; graduation requirements; competency-based education; Title IV, Part A; education technology; the P-20 Education Partnership; and several grant awards.

Paulson has authored publications for the National Science Teaching Association and the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. He has served as a board member for the Council of State Science Supervisors, as a committee member for the National Academy of Engineering, and on the boards of several Minnesota-based nonprofit organizations, including the Bakken Museum, the Minnesota Vikings Foundation Advisory, AirSpaceMN, The Works: Technology Museum, and the Minnesota Independent School Forum. Paulson is currently completing his Ed.D. in education leadership, administration, and policy at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota.