Former city schools chancellor Richard Carranza — who left the job a month ago because he said he was grieving over loved ones lost to the coronavirus — has already taken a new job.
Carranza, who led the Department of Education for three tumultuous years, will be Chief of Strategy and Global Development at California firm IXL Learning, according to a press release.
The e-learning company has a lucrative contract with the DOE along with districts across the country.
The company’s website states that their platform is used by “1 in 5” New York City public school students.
The polarizing former administrator announced that he was leaving the nation’s largest school system in February to recover emotionally from the loss of friends and family to COVID-19.
“Richard will supply IXL with an abundance of wisdom gained from working at the highest levels of K-12 education and a boundless commitment to ensuring all students have access to world-class learning experiences,” said IXL CEO Paul Mishkin.
The San Mateo based company develops personalized learning products for K-12 students and recently acquired language learning platform Rosetta Stone.
According to the company’s website, their platform is used by “1 in 5” New York City public school students.
“Education is undergoing a profound transformation where teachers are utilizing technology to close learning gaps and provide every child with the tools to build lasting knowledge,” Carranza said in a statement.
The well-traveled former administrator led schools systems in San Francisco and Houston before being tapped to lead the DOE by Mayor de Blasio.
A DOE source said Thursday that Carranza was never comfortable on the east coast and that his California move does not come as a surprise.
“This is a pretty quick turnaround,” the source said. “I’m sure the feelers have been out there for awhile and it’s a good fit for him. But considering we were in the middle of the school year this feels a little fast.”
During his time in New York, Carranza elevated race as a focal point of his administration — a stance that drew applause from some quarters and intense opposition from others.
Carranza was replaced by Meisha Ross-Porter as city schools chief.
