William Henry Schmidt

William “Bill” Henry Schmidt passed away on May 26, 2025, from ALS in East Lansing, MI. Bill was a University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University and worked until his passing. He is survived by his wife, Judy Brazil Schmidt; children, Carrie (Garett) Gillen, Jason, Keara, and Ava; grandchildren, Alex, Emily, Aidan and Finley; brother, Robert (Dawn); sister, Ellen Benziger, and many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Emily and Henry; sister, Carol; sister-in-law, Nancy Schmidt; brother-in-law, Don Benziger.

Bill was born in Chicago and earned his PhD from the University of Chicago in three years. He was a pioneer in mathematics education who directed the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), the most extensive international mathematics and science achievement study ever conducted. His work with TIMSS helped to develop the concept and instrumentation of opportunity to learn (OTL), which demonstrated that students do not learn math arbitrarily and cannot learn what they are not taught. This study received attention from then-President Clinton and the US Congress and later helped to create the national Common Core curriculum in mathematics.

He was recognized as a leading expert on education policy concerning equitable learning opportunities for disadvantaged students and advocated strongly that all students deserve to learn from well-prepared teachers. Schmidt founded the Center for Study of Curriculum Policy, which has examined the content of mathematics textbooks across grade levels and the relationship between race and social class on course-taking patterns in schools. He combined his research talents with a flair for communicating results in ways that made political leaders around the world adopt strategies grounded in evidence from his research.

Bill was the epitome of a lifelong learner, often spending his free time studying physics, religion, and history. He believed in taking advantage of every opportunity life presented. In one instance, he co-published a physics journal article on the effects of nuclear war on fiber optic communications thanks to a chance conversation with a Naval Research Laboratory officer during a flight to DC.

Bill was a member of the National Academy of Education, an International Academy of Education Fellow, an American Educational Research Association (AERA) Fellow and an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Thomas J. Alexander Fellow for education quality and equity. In 2022, he received AERA's Distinguished Contributions to Research in Education Award, the premier award for outstanding achievement and success in education research. The author of many books and countless journal articles and papers, his work has been cited over 15,000 times.

He met with Presidents, Governors, Ambassadors, and officials from over 40 nations. He received accolades, honors, and awards yet his happiest days were always with family, hiking, biking, and traveling. He demonstrated to his children how to be Global Citizens and show kindness to all they meet on their journeys. He was an exemplary husband, father and grandfather who lived a life of excellence, dedication and genuine optimism that will never be forgotten. A Celebration of Life will be held in East Lansing this summer, the season of his lifelong love, baseball.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the ALS Association, or the Humane World for Animals.