John Kraman is the Chief Information Officer at the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE). For the past decade, John has served in senior leadership roles in three state education agencies (SEAs) – in Oklahoma, New Mexico and now Mississippi – working to align data and data systems with the agency strategic policy and reform goals. In the decade prior to his time in SEAs, he served are the research director of multiple national education policy programs, including the American Diploma Project and the Common Core State Standards Initiative. John is currently leading the $200+ million MSConnects program at the MDE, rapidly establishing a statewide digital learning program to support teaching, learning, and innovation.