Albert E. Beaton, Jr.

Albert E. Beaton Jr., age 90, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at his home in Norfolk, Massachusetts, with his loving wife by his side.  Born in Boston, Massachusetts on August 9, 1931, he was the son of the late Albert E. and Annie E. (MacEachen) Beaton.  He was raised in the Roslindale area of Boston, where attended Roslindale High School.  While in high school, Al was voted best male musician in his class and was named delegate to the Key Club international conference in 1949. 

Following his graduation in 1949, Al continued his education at the State Teachers College at Boston.  While studying in Boston, he was elected as class president during his freshman and sophomore years and was named president of the student Government Association his senior year.  In addition, Al was the editor in chief of the college newspaper and the manager of both the baseball and basketball teams.  For all of his hard work and dedication to the State Teachers College, Al was given the President's Award prior to his graduation with his Bachelor of Arts with a focus on education in 1955.

Al went on to attend Harvard University, earning his Master’s in Education in 1956 and enrolling in their doctorate program.  During his time at Harvard, Al was elected to the honorary fraternity, Phi Delta Kappa, became the director of Harvard's Statistical Laboratory, and was named an IBM Research Fellow.  Al earned his Doctorate in Education in 1964.

Upon his graduation, Al accepted a position with Educational Testing Services (ETS), becoming a division director and the Director of Data Analysis for the Educational Opportunities Survey.  In addition to his full-time career, Al was invited to teach students as a guest lecturer at various universities including Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, and Trinity College in Dublin.  Back at ETS, Al was the director of the National Assessment of Educational Progress from 1983 through 1990 and was granted the ETS Senior Scientist Award in 1987.

Al began his transition to an educational setting in 1990, taking a position with Boston College.  He became the director of the Center for the Study of Testing, Evaluation, and Educational Policy.  In addition, he was named International Study Director for the Third International Mathematics and Science Study.  In 2002, Al was awarded the Augustus C. Long Professorship and he retired three years later in 2005.

As a result of his hard work and dedication to the world of statistics, Al was a highly valued consultant, and was asked by NBC to be a member of their election night team from 1966 through 1978.  Al was also honored with many awards during his career, including the Frank Wilcoxon Award for the outstanding paper in Technometrics in 1974 and the NCME Award for technical contribution to educational measurement in 1988.  He was admitted as an honorary member to the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement and had fellowship in the International Academy of Education.  All of Al's accomplishments are detailed on the web and summarized in Who's Who in America and Who's Who in the World.

Beloved husband of Joan G. (Flaherty) Beaton, with whom he shared 63 years of marriage.

Loving father of Douglas L. Beaton of Norfolk and the late Albert E. Beaton, III and his late wife, Vanessa.

Brother of Adrienne Elizabeth Beaton of Marlborough, the late Marion Jeannette Grant, the late Hugh Roderick Beaton, the late Nancy Pauline Duggan, and the late William Patrick Beaton.

Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Al's visitation on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, from 10 to 11 AM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.  A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:30 AM in Saint Jude's Church, 86 Main Street, Norfolk.  Interment will take place in Mount Benedict Cemetery in West Roxbury.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Home for Little Wanderers, 10 Guest Street, Boston, MA 02135 or at www.thehome.org