Fall 2016 - 60517 - PA680PA - Policy Research Project

Evidence-Based Education Policy and the 2017 Session of the Texas Legislature

In fall 2016, we will develop a website that summarizes major debates in K-12 education policy and the evidence on each side. The site will highlight national debates of the past 50 years, as well as specific issues that will be considered in the 2017 Texas legislative session.

In spring 2017, we will work with the education and finance committees of the Texas House and Senate, providing white papers, talking points, and testimony to help increase the role of evidence in education policy.

Materials that students develop will be shared publicly on the website whenever possible. This will encourage open government and develop a portfolio of work that students can share with prospective employers.

The course will be team taught by Paul von Hippel, an LBJ Associate Professor who has published extensively on education policy, and Mike Villarreal, an LBJ PhD student who was elected to eight terms in the Texas House.