Debra Schade, PhD

Research Associate

As an executive board member of the California School Boards Association (CSBA), Dr. Debra Schade helps set the Association’s direction, ensuring that its activities and policies remain focused on its identified educational goals. The CSBA Board also provides insight into the impact of state policies on local boards and communities and provides strategic foresight by examining the trends in public education and making decisions that will positively position CSBA and its members for the future. 

Debra received the 2021 Dede Alpert Award, given to individuals who have made a significant contribution to public education. It is named for retired CA State Senator Dede Alpert who had a significant impact on education in California.

She is also Board President of the Solana Beach School District (San Diego area) where she has served for 22 years, and is the former Vice President of the San Diego County School Boards Association.  

Debra has grown a technology start-up through product development, market growth and talent acquisition.  Through this work she became an advocate for early education in skills for the changing workforce of the future.  She believes in early computer science literacy, in particular K-6 education that includes algorithmic thinking and computational theory building a common language and competency in computer science.  Early exposure to computer science for all students will move the needle on expanded diversity for technology careers. Debra serves on the board of The League of Amazing Programmers, a nonprofit organization that is teaching JAVA programming, engineering skills and career focused soft skills to under-served youth and low income communities in San Diego.  Through this work Debra has been involved in executive coaching and strategic planning during staffing transition and growth.

Debra, a former NCAA athlete, has balanced work & family with competitive tennis, running and ocean sports.  She enjoys reading, travel and time with family. Debra and her husband live in California. They have three sons, a UC Berkeley bioengineering graduate and two engineering graduates from University of California, San Diego.