With over 30 years experience in state level education policy, Mr. Birdsall is a widely respected analyst and speaker on K-12 issues ranging from school finance to curriculum, assessment and accountability. For 25 years, he owned and operated Birdsall and Associates, a California lobbying firm specializing in K-12 education policy. Prior to that Mr. Birdsall served as Chief of the California Department of Education's Legislative Office and chief of staff of the Department's education program branch. Mr. Birdsall began his career in public service as a budget analyst with the California Department of Finance. He has a B.A. in Political Science and Economics and a M.A. in Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley.