Huerta, Luis A. (lah2013)

Luis A Huerta

Professor of Education and Public Policy

Office Location:

212E Zankel

Office Hours:

Tuesday 5-6:30 PM and Thursday 4-6:00 PM, by appointment

Educational Background

* Ph.D. in Division of Policy, Organizations, Measurement, and Evaluation, University of California, Berkeley

Scholarly Interests

  • Education Policy
  • Decentralization in Education
  • School Choice (charter schools, vouchers, ESAs, tuition tax credits, home schooling)
  • Privatization in Education
  • School Finance

Selected Publications

Book

Welner, K. Orfield, G. & Huerta, L. A. (Eds.) (2023). The school voucher illusion: Exposing the pretense of equity. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.


Journal Articles & Book Chapters

Huerta, L. A., Koutsavlis, S. J. & Baisden, T. W. (forthcoming). Evolving tax credit scholarship and education savings account policies in the United States: The path to universal private school choice programs. In A. Zancajo, C. Fontdevila, H. Jabbar & A. Verger (Eds.). Research Handbook on Education Privatization and Marketization. United Kingdom: Edward Elgar Publishing.


Huerta, L. A. & Koutsavlis, S. (2023). Evolving voucher policies: Broadening eligibility through rules & schools. In K. Welner, G. Orfield & L. A. Huerta (Eds.) (2023). The school voucher illusion: Exposing the pretense of equity. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.


Welner, K. Orfield, G. & Huerta, L. A. (2023). Voucher expansion and the abandonment of equity. In K. Welner, G. Orfield & L. A. Huerta (Eds.) The school voucher illusion: Exposing the pretense of equity. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.


Welner, K. Orfield, G. & Huerta, L. A, (2023). Can vouchers be reshaped to accomplish their initial rhetorical goals? In K. Welner, G. Orfield & L. A. Huerta (Eds.) The school voucher illusion: Exposing the pretense of equity. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.


Huerta, L. A. & Koutsavlis, S. (2020). Tuition Tax Credits in an Evolving School Choice Arena: Implications for Research, Policy and Practice. In M. Barends, A. Primus & M. G. Springer (Eds.) Handbook of Research on School Choice, 2nd Edition. Routledge Publisher


Terrant, K. & Huerta, L. A. (2015). Substantive or symbolic stars: Quality rating and improvement systems through a new institutional lens. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 29(5), 327-328.


Huerta, L. A., Fuller, B., Parker, L. & d’Entremont, C. (2011). Charter schools in New York’s Black communities: Managing resources in local organizational fields. In D. Slaughter-Defoe, H. Stevenson, E. Arrington and D. Johnson (Eds.) Black Educational Choice: Assessing the Private and Public Alternatives to Traditional K-12 Public Schools. (pp. 173-190), Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger Publishers.


Huerta, L. A. & d’Entremont, C. (2010). Charter school finance: Seeking institutional legitimacy In a marketplace of resources. In C. Lubienski & P. Weitzel (Eds.) The Charter School Experiment: Expectations, Evidence & Implications. (pp. 121-146), Cambridge, MA: Harvard Education Press.


Huerta, L. A. (2010). Series of reports on the fiscal impact of tax-credit scholarships (pp. 127-140), In K. Welner, P. H. Hinchey, A. Molnar & D. Weitzman (Ed.), Think Tank Research Quality: Lessons for Policy Makers, the Media, and the Public, Charlotte, N.C.: Information Age Publishing.


Huerta, L. A., d’Entremont, C. & González, M. F. (2009). Perspectives on cyber and homeschool charters. In M. Berends, M. Springer, D. Ballou and H. Walberg (Eds.), Handbook of Research on School Choice (pp.533-550), National Center on School Choice, Vanderbilt University and Lawrence Erlbaum Associates (2009).


Huerta, L. A. (2009). Institutional vs. technical environments: Reconciling the goals of decentralization in an evolving charter school organization. Peabody Journal of Education, 84(2), 244-261.


Huerta, L. A. & Zuckerman, A. (2009). An institutional theory analysis of charter schools: Addressing challenges to scale. Peabody Journal of Education, 84(3), 414-431.


Bodine, E., Fuller, B., González, M. F., Huerta, L. A., Naughton, S., Park, S., Teh, L. W. (2008). Disparities in charter school resources: The influence of state policy and community conditions. Journal of Education Policy, 23(1), 1-33

Huerta, L. A. & d’Entremont, C. (2007). Education tax credits in a post-Zelman era: Legal, political and policy alternative to vouchers? Educational Policy, January/March 21(1), 73-109.


d’Entremont, C. & Huerta, L. A. (2007). Irreconcilable differences? Education vouchers and the suburban response. Educational Policy, January/March 21(1), 40-72.


Greene, G. K., Huerta, L. A. & Richards, C. E. (2007). Getting real: A different perspective on the relationship between school resources and student outcomes. Journal of Education Finance, 33(1), 49-68.


Huerta, L. A., González, M. F. & d’Entremont, C. (2006). Cyber and home school charter schools: Adopting policy to new forms of public schooling. Peabody Journal of Education, 81(1), 103-139.


Huerta, L. A., d’Entremont, C &. González, M. F. (2006). Cyber charter schools: Can accountability keep pace with innovation? Phi Delta Kappan, September, 23-30.


Huerta, L. A. (2006). Next steps for results: The improved school finance and the CFE v. State of New York case.  Journal of Education Finance, 31(4), 379-394.


Grubb, W. N., Huerta, L. A. & Goe, L. (2006). Straw into gold, revenues into results: Spinning out the implications of the improved school finance. Journal of Education Finance, 31(4), 334-359.


Grubb, W. N., Goe, L., & Huerta, L. A. (2004). The unending search for equity: California policy, the improved school finance, and the Williams case. Teachers College Record, 106(11),  2081-2101.


Huerta, L. A. (2000). Losing public accountability? A home schooling charter. In B. Fuller (Ed.), Inside charter schools: The paradox of radical decentralization. (pp. 177-202), Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.


Wexler, E. & Huerta, L. A. (2000). An empowering spirit is not enough: A Latino charter school struggles over leadership. In B. Fuller (Ed.), Inside charter schools: The paradox of radical decentralization. (pp. 98-123), Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

 

Finkelstein, N., Furry, W., & Huerta, L. A. (2000). School finance in California: Does history provide a sufficient policy standard? In E. Burr, G. C. Hayward, B. Fuller & M. W. Kirst (Eds.) Crucial issues in California education 2000: Are the reform pieces fitting together (pp.45-78). Berkeley, CA: Policy Analysis for California Education, University of California.


Opinion-Editorials

Huerta, L. A. (2014, December 10). High suspension rates at charters schools don’t help students. In Room for Debate: A Running Commentary on the News, Keeping only the best behaved, Opinion–Editorial, The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2014/12/10/are-charter-schools-cherry-picking-students/charter-schools-do-a-disservice-to-their-students


Huerta, L. A. (2013, April 21). Doubling Down on Testing Is a Failed Wager, In A Nation at Risk, 30 Years Later, Education Week, http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/op_education/a-nation-at-risk/


Huerta, L. A. (2011, January 4). Uniting fiscal and social conservatism. In Room for Debate: A Running Commentary on the News, Do Home Schoolers Deserve a Tax Break?, Opinion–Editorial, The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/01/04/do-home-schoolers-deserve-a-tax-break


Henig, J. & Huerta, L. A. (2010, March 14). The economic vise. In Room for Debate: A Running Commentary on the News, The Push-Back on Charter Schools, Opinion–Editorial, The New York Times. http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/14/the-push-back-on-charter-schools/


Huerta, L. A. & Fuller, B. (2008, July 7). Scorekeeper for schools. New York Sun, Opinion–Editorial, p.B8.


Berliner, D., Farrel, W., Huerta, L. A., Mickelson, R. (2001, February 22). Vouchers: No solution to educating the poor. Arizona Republic, Opinion-Editorial, p. B9.


Huerta, L. A. (2000, October 19). Proposition 38 makes promises it cannot keep. San Francisco Chronicle, Opinion-Editorial, p. A3.


Fuller, B. & Huerta, L. A. (2000, July 20). State action deserves a lot of credit for better test scores. Los Angeles Times, Opinion-Editorial, p. B11.



Encyclopedia Entries

Huerta, L. A. (2012). Tuition tax credits and equity. In J. Banks (Ed.) Encyclopedia of Diversity in Education. (pp. 1708-1711), Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishers.


Huerta, L. A. (2012). Charter schools and minority achievement. In J. Banks (Ed.) Encyclopedia of Diversity in Education. (pp. 316-321), Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishers.


d’Entremont, C. & Huerta, L. A. (2012). Privatization and minority student achievement. In J. Banks (Ed.) Encyclopedia of Diversity in Education. (pp. 2192-2196), Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishers.


Huerta, L. A. & Hatch, T. (2009). School reform. In R. A. Shweder (Ed.) The Child: An Encyclopedic Companion (pgs. 863-865), Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.

 

Policy Reports / Monographs/Reviews

Huerta, L. A. & Baisden, T. (2024). Strengthening oversight of education savings account (ESA) funding for private and at-home schooling. Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center. http://nepc.colorado.edu/publication/esa-vouchers


Huerta, L. A., Rice, J. K., & Shafer, S. R. (2023). Key policy issues in virtual schools: Finance and governance, instructional quality, and teacher quality. In Molnar, A., Huerta, L. A., Rice, J. K., Glover, A., Bill, K., Miron, Gulosino, C., & Boninger, F.(Eds.), Virtual schools in the U.S. 2020: Politics, performance, policy, and research evidence. Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center.


Huerta, L.A. & Koutsavlis, S. (2022). Review of  “Fiscal effects of school choice: Analyzing the costs and savings of private school choice programs in America.” Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center. http://nepc.colorado.edu/thinktank/fiscaleffects


Huerta, L. A., Rice, J. K., & Shafer, S. R. (2021). Key policy issues in virtual schools: Finance and governance, instructional quality, and teacher quality. In Miron, G., Barbour, M.K., Huerta, L., Shafer, S.R., Rice, J.K.,Glover, A., Browning, N., Hagle, S., & Boninger, F. (Eds.), Virtual schools in the U.S. 2020: Politics, performance, policy, and research evidence. Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center.


Huerta, L. A., Rice, J. K., Shafer, S. R. (2019). Key policy issues in virtual schools: Finance and governance, instructional quality, and teacher quality,  In A. Molnar (Ed.), Molnar, A., Miron, G., Shank, C., Davidson, C., Barbour, M.K., Huerta, L., Shafter, S.R., Rice, J.K. (2019). Virtual Schools in the U.S. 2018. Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center.


Huerta, L. A. & Koutsavlis, S. (2018). Review of  “Fiscal Effects of School Vouchers: Examining the savings and costs of America’s Private School Voucher Programs. Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center


Huerta, L. A. & Koutsavlis, S. (2017). Review of “The Tax-Credit Scholarship Audit: Do Publicly Funded Private School Choice Programs Save Money?”  Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center


Barbour, M. K., Miron, G., & Huerta, L. (2017). Virtual schools in the U.S.: Case studies of policy, performance, and research evidence. Lansing, MI: Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute.


Huerta, L. A., Rice, J. K., Shafer, S. R. & Nitkin, D. (2017). Key policy issues in virtual schools: Finance and governance, instructional quality, and teacher quality,  In A. Molnar (Ed.), Molnar, A., Miron, G., Gulosino, C., Shank, C., Davidson, C., Barbour, M.K., Huerta, L., Shafter, S.R., Rice, J.K., & Nitkin, D. (2017). Virtual Schools in the U.S. 2017. Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center.


Huerta, L. A. & Shafer, S. R. (2015). Key policy issues in virtual schools: Finance and governance, instructional quality, and teacher quality In A. Molnar (Ed.), Huerta, L. A., Shafer, S. R., Barbour, M.K., Miron, G., Gulosino, C. Virtual Schools in the U.S. 2015: Politics, Performance, Policy, and Research Evidence. Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center.


Huerta, L. A., Rice, J. K., & Shafer, S. R. (2014). Key policy issues in virtual schools: Finance and governance, instructional quality, and teacher quality,  In A. Molnar (Ed.), Rice, J.K., Huerta, L. A., Shafer, S. R., Barbour, M.K., Miron, G., Gulosino, C, Horvitz, B. Virtual Schools in the U.S. 2014: Politics, Performance, Policy, and Research Evidence. Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center.


Huerta, L. A., Rice, J. K., & Shafer, S. R. (2013). Key policy issues in virtual schools: Finance and governance, instructional quality and teacher quality. In A. Molnar (Ed.), Miron, G., Huerta, L. A., Cuban, L., Horvitz, B., Gulosino, C., Rice, J.K., & Shafer, S.R. Virtual schools in the U.S. 2013: Politics, performance, policy, and research evidence. Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center.


Huerta, L. A. (2012). Review of “Teachers in the age of digital instruction: Creating sound policy for digital learning.” Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center. http://nepc.colorado.edu/thinktank/review-teachers-digital-age


Huerta, L. A. (2009). Review of three tuition-tax-credit voucher reports from the Friedman Foundation. Boulder and Tempe: Education and the Public Interest Center & Education Policy Research Unit. http://epicpolicy.org/thinktank/reviewtuition-tax-credits

 

Huerta, L. A. & d’Entremont, C. (2006). Tax credits as legal, political and policy alternative to vouchers? Occasional Paper Series #131. New York, NY: National Center for the Study of Privatization in Education, Teachers College-Columbia University.


d’Entremont, C. & Huerta, L. A. (2006). Irreconcilable differences? Education vouchers and the suburban response. Occasional Paper Series #137. New York, NY: National Center for the Study of Privatization in Education, Teachers College-Columbia University.


Huerta, L. A. & González, M. F. (2004). Cyber and home school charter schools: How states are defining new forms of public schooling. Occasional Paper Series #87. New York, NY: National Center for the Study of Privatization in Education, Teachers College-Columbia University.


Grubb, W. N. & Huerta, L. A. (2001). Straw into gold, resources into results: Spinning out the implications of the new school finance (Research Series No. 01-1). Berkeley, CA: Policy Analysis for California Education, University of California.


Fuller, B., Huerta, L. A., & Ruenzel, D. (2000). A costly gamble or serious reform? California’s school voucher initiative—Proposition 38. Berkeley, CA: Policy Analysis for California Education, University of California.


Fuller, B., Burr, E., Huerta, L. A., Puryear, S., & Wexler, E. (1999). School choice: Abundant hopes, scarce evidence of results. Berkeley, CA: Policy Analysis for California Education, University of California.


Fuller, B. & Huerta, L. A. (1999). Review of competition in education: A 1999 update of school choice in Massachusetts. Boston, MA: Pioneer Institute for Public Policy Research.


Huerta, L. A., Puryear, S., & Wexler, E. (1999). Policy brief. School choice grows with scare evidence of effects. In Policy Analysis for California Education Newsletter Vol.2(1). Berkeley, CA: Policy Analysis for California Education, University of California.


Huerta, L. A. (1997). Policy brief. Charter schools: Are they more effective? In Policy Analysis for California Education Newsletter Vol.1(1). Berkeley, CA: Policy Analysis for California Education, University of California.


Legislative and Legal Testimony

Huerta, L. A. (2018, March 13). Vouchers and charter schools. An analysis of evidence. Testimony on Education Reform Act of Puerto Rico S. 825, Puerto Rico Legislature, Senate Committee on Education.


Huerta, L. A. (2017, July 21). Vouchers and tuition tax credits: An analysis of claims, assumptions and evidence. Testimony on SB 2, Texas State Senate, Senate Committee on Education.


Huerta, L. A. (2016, October 17). Vouchers and tuition tax credits: An analysis of claims, assumptions and evidence. Testimony on Education Savings Accounts, Vouchers and Tuition Tax Credits, Texas House of Representatives, Committee on  Public Education.


Huerta, L. A. (2016, February 3). Vouchers and tuition tax credits: An analysis of claims, assumptions and evidence. Testimony on Expanding Educational Opportunity Through School Choice, United States House of Representatives, Committee on Education and the Workforce.


Huerta, L. A. (2015, Mach 27). Vouchers and tuition tax credits: An analysis of claims, assumptions and evidence. Testimony on SB 642, SB 276, SB 4, Texas House of Representatives, Committee on  Public Education.


Huerta, L. A.  (2014). Analysis of the Florida tax credit scholarship program and John M. McKay scholarship program for students with disabilities. Expert testimony submitted for Citizens for Strong Schools v. Florida State Board of Education (2015).


Huerta, L. A. (2012, October 8). Framing an accountability blueprint for virtual schools in Texas, Testimony to Texas State Senate, Austin, TX; Senate Committee on Education

 

Huerta, L. A. (March, 2005). Next steps for results: The improved school finance and the CFE v. State of New York case. Expert testimony/policy report submitted for Campaign for Fiscal Equity v. State of New York (2005)

 

Grubb, W. N., Goe, L., & Huerta, L. A. (2003). The unending search for equity: California policy, the improved school finance, and the Williams case. Expert testimony/policy report submitted for Williams et al. v. State of California (2003). ( served as expert witness )


Finkelstein, N. & Huerta, L. A. (2000, February). National perspectives on educational adequacy. Testimony to California State Legislature. Sacramento, CA: Select Committee on School Funding Reform.

Book

Welner, K. Orfield, G. & Huerta, L. A. (Eds.) (2023). The school voucher illusion: Exposing the pretense of equity. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.


Journal Articles & Book Chapters

Huerta, L. A., Koutsavlis, S. & Baisden, T. W. (forthcoming). Evolving tax credit scholarship and education savings account policies in the United States: The path to universal private school choice programs. In A. Zancajo, C. Fontdevila, H. Jabbar & A. Verger (Eds.). Research Handbook on Education Privatization and Marketization. United Kingdom: Edward Elgar Publishing.

Huerta, L. A. & Koutsavlis, S. (2023). Evolving voucher policies: Broadening eligibility through rules & schools. In K. Welner, G. Orfield & L. A. Huerta (Eds.) (2023). The school voucher illusion: Exposing the pretense of equity. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.


Welner, K. Orfield, G. & Huerta, L. A. (2023). Voucher expansion and the abandonment of equity. In K. Welner, G. Orfield & L. A. Huerta (Eds.) The school voucher illusion: Exposing the pretense of equity. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.


Welner, K. Orfield, G. & Huerta, L. A, (2023). Can vouchers be reshaped to accomplish their initial rhetorical goals? In K. Welner, G. Orfield & L. A. Huerta (Eds.) The school voucher illusion: Exposing the pretense of equity. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.


Huerta, L. A. & Koutsavlis, S. (2020). Tuition Tax Credits in an Evolving School Choice Arena: Implications for Research, Policy and Practice. In M. Barends, A. Primus & M. G. Springer (Eds.) Handbook of Research on School Choice, 2nd Edition. Routledge Publisher


Terrant, K. & Huerta, L. A. (2015). Substantive or symbolic stars: Quality rating and improvement systems through a new institutional lens. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 29(5), 327-328.


Huerta, L. A., Fuller, B., Parker, L. & d’Entremont, C. (2011). Charter schools in New York’s Black communities: Managing resources in local organizational fields. In D. Slaughter-Defoe, H. Stevenson, E. Arrington and D. Johnson (Eds.) Black Educational Choice: Assessing the Private and Public Alternatives to Traditional K-12 Public Schools. (pp. 173-190), Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger Publishers.


Huerta, L. A. & d’Entremont, C. (2010). Charter school finance: Seeking institutional legitimacy In a marketplace of resources. In C. Lubienski & P. Weitzel (Eds.) The Charter School Experiment: Expectations, Evidence & Implications. (pp. 121-146), Cambridge, MA: Harvard Education Press.


Huerta, L. A. (2010). Series of reports on the fiscal impact of tax-credit scholarships (pp. 127-140), In K. Welner, P. H. Hinchey, A. Molnar & D. Weitzman (Ed.), Think Tank Research Quality: Lessons for Policy Makers, the Media, and the Public, Charlotte, N.C.: Information Age Publishing.


Huerta, L. A., d’Entremont, C. & González, M. F. (2009). Perspectives on cyber and homeschool charters. In M. Berends, M. Springer, D. Ballou and H. Walberg (Eds.), Handbook of Research on School Choice (pp.533-550), National Center on School Choice, Vanderbilt University and Lawrence Erlbaum Associates (2009).


Huerta, L. A. (2009). Institutional vs. technical environments: Reconciling the goals of decentralization in an evolving charter school organization. Peabody Journal of Education, 84(2), 244-261.


Huerta, L. A. & Zuckerman, A. (2009). An institutional theory analysis of charter schools: Addressing challenges to scale. Peabody Journal of Education, 84(3), 414-431.


Bodine, E., Fuller, B., González, M. F., Huerta, L. A., Naughton, S., Park, S., Teh, L. W. (2008). Disparities in charter school resources: The influence of state policy and community conditions. Journal of Education Policy, 23(1), 1-33


Huerta, L. A. & d’Entremont, C. (2007). Education tax credits in a post-Zelman era: Legal, political and policy alternative to vouchers? Educational Policy, January/March 21(1), 73-109.


d’Entremont, C. & Huerta, L. A. (2007). Irreconcilable differences? Education vouchers and the suburban response. Educational Policy, January/March 21(1), 40-72.


Greene, G. K., Huerta, L. A. & Richards, C. E. (2007). Getting real: A different perspective on the relationship between school resources and student outcomes. Journal of Education Finance, 33(1), 49-68.


Huerta, L. A., González, M. F. & d’Entremont, C. (2006). Cyber and home school charter schools: Adopting policy to new forms of public schooling. Peabody Journal of Education, 81(1), 103-139.


Huerta, L. A., d’Entremont, C &. González, M. F. (2006). Cyber charter schools: Can accountability keep pace with innovation? Phi Delta Kappan, September, 23-30.


Huerta, L. A. (2006). Next steps for results: The improved school finance and the CFE v. State of New York case.  Journal of Education Finance, 31(4), 379-394.


Grubb, W. N., Huerta, L. A. & Goe, L. (2006). Straw into gold, revenues into results: Spinning out the implications of the improved school finance. Journal of Education Finance, 31(4), 334-359.


Grubb, W. N., Goe, L., & Huerta, L. A. (2004). The unending search for equity: California policy, the improved school finance, and the Williams case. Teachers College Record, 106(11),  2081-2101.


Huerta, L. A. (2000). Losing public accountability? A home schooling charter. In B. Fuller (Ed.), Inside charter schools: The paradox of radical decentralization. (pp. 177-202), Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.


Wexler, E. & Huerta, L. A. (2000). An empowering spirit is not enough: A Latino charter school struggles over leadership. In B. Fuller (Ed.), Inside charter schools: The paradox of radical decentralization. (pp. 98-123), Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

 

Finkelstein, N., Furry, W., & Huerta, L. A. (2000). School finance in California: Does history provide a sufficient policy standard? In E. Burr, G. C. Hayward, B. Fuller & M. W. Kirst (Eds.) Crucial issues in California education 2000: Are the reform pieces fitting together (pp.45-78). Berkeley, CA: Policy Analysis for California Education, University of California.


Opinion-Editorials

Huerta, L. A. (2014, December 10). High suspension rates at charters schools don’t help students. In Room for Debate: A Running Commentary on the News, Keeping only the best behaved, Opinion–Editorial, The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2014/12/10/are-charter-schools-cherry-picking-students/charter-schools-do-a-disservice-to-their-students


Huerta, L. A. (2013, April 21). Doubling Down on Testing Is a Failed Wager, In A Nation at Risk, 30 Years Later, Education Week, http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/op_education/a-nation-at-risk/


Huerta, L. A. (2011, January 4). Uniting fiscal and social conservatism. In Room for Debate: A Running Commentary on the News, Do Home Schoolers Deserve a Tax Break?, Opinion–Editorial, The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/01/04/do-home-schoolers-deserve-a-tax-break


Henig, J. & Huerta, L. A. (2010, March 14). The economic vise. In Room for Debate: A Running Commentary on the News, The Push-Back on Charter Schools, Opinion–Editorial, The New York Times. http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/14/the-push-back-on-charter-schools/


Huerta, L. A. & Fuller, B. (2008, July 7). Scorekeeper for schools. New York Sun, Opinion–Editorial, p.B8.


Berliner, D., Farrel, W., Huerta, L. A., Mickelson, R. (2001, February 22). Vouchers: No solution to educating the poor. Arizona Republic, Opinion-Editorial, p. B9.


Huerta, L. A. (2000, October 19). Proposition 38 makes promises it cannot keep. San Francisco Chronicle, Opinion-Editorial, p. A3.


Fuller, B. & Huerta, L. A. (2000, July 20). State action deserves a lot of credit for better test scores. Los Angeles Times, Opinion-Editorial, p. B11.



Encyclopedia Entries

Huerta, L. A. (2012). Tuition tax credits and equity. In J. Banks (Ed.) Encyclopedia of Diversity in Education. (pp. 1708-1711), Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishers.


Huerta, L. A. (2012). Charter schools and minority achievement. In J. Banks (Ed.) Encyclopedia of Diversity in Education. (pp. 316-321), Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishers.


d’Entremont, C. & Huerta, L. A. (2012). Privatization and minority student achievement. In J. Banks (Ed.) Encyclopedia of Diversity in Education. (pp. 2192-2196), Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishers.


Huerta, L. A. & Hatch, T. (2009). School reform. In R. A. Shweder (Ed.) The Child: An Encyclopedic Companion (pgs. 863-865), Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.

 

Policy Reports / Monographs/Reviews

Huerta, L. A. & Baisden, T. (2024). Strengthening oversight of education savings account (ESA) funding for private and at-home schooling. Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center. http://nepc.colorado.edu/publication/esa-vouchers


Huerta, L. A., Rice, J. K., & Shafer, S. R. (2023). Key policy issues in virtual schools: Finance and governance, instructional quality, and teacher quality. In Molnar, A., Huerta, L. A., Rice, J. K., Glover, A., Bill, K., Miron, Gulosino, C., & Boninger, F.(Eds.), Virtual schools in the U.S. 2020: Politics, performance, policy, and research evidence. Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center.


Huerta, L.A. & Koutsavlis, S. (2022). Review of  “Fiscal effects of school choice: Analyzing the costs and savings of private school choice programs in America.” Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center. http://nepc.colorado.edu/thinktank/fiscaleffects


Huerta, L. A., Rice, J. K., & Shafer, S. R. (2021). Key policy issues in virtual schools: Finance and governance, instructional quality, and teacher quality. In Miron, G., Barbour, M.K., Huerta, L., Shafer, S.R., Rice, J.K.,Glover, A., Browning, N., Hagle, S., & Boninger, F. (Eds.), Virtual schools in the U.S. 2020: Politics, performance, policy, and research evidence. Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center.


Huerta, L. A., Rice, J. K., Shafer, S. R. (2019). Key policy issues in virtual schools: Finance and governance, instructional quality, and teacher quality,  In A. Molnar (Ed.), Molnar, A., Miron, G., Shank, C., Davidson, C., Barbour, M.K., Huerta, L., Shafter, S.R., Rice, J.K. (2019). Virtual Schools in the U.S. 2018. Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center.


Huerta, L. A. & Koutsavlis, S. (2018). Review of  “Fiscal Effects of School Vouchers: Examining the savings and costs of America’s Private School Voucher Programs. Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center


Huerta, L. A. & Koutsavlis, S. (2017). Review of “The Tax-Credit Scholarship Audit: Do Publicly Funded Private School Choice Programs Save Money?”  Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center


Barbour, M. K., Miron, G., & Huerta, L. (2017). Virtual schools in the U.S.: Case studies of policy, performance, and research evidence. Lansing, MI: Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute.


Huerta, L. A., Rice, J. K., Shafer, S. R. & Nitkin, D. (2017). Key policy issues in virtual schools: Finance and governance, instructional quality, and teacher quality,  In A. Molnar (Ed.), Molnar, A., Miron, G., Gulosino, C., Shank, C., Davidson, C., Barbour, M.K., Huerta, L., Shafter, S.R., Rice, J.K., & Nitkin, D. (2017). Virtual Schools in the U.S. 2017. Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center.


Huerta, L. A. & Shafer, S. R. (2015). Key policy issues in virtual schools: Finance and governance, instructional quality, and teacher quality In A. Molnar (Ed.), Huerta, L. A., Shafer, S. R., Barbour, M.K., Miron, G., Gulosino, C. Virtual Schools in the U.S. 2015: Politics, Performance, Policy, and Research Evidence. Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center.


Huerta, L. A., Rice, J. K., & Shafer, S. R. (2014). Key policy issues in virtual schools: Finance and governance, instructional quality, and teacher quality,  In A. Molnar (Ed.), Rice, J.K., Huerta, L. A., Shafer, S. R., Barbour, M.K., Miron, G., Gulosino, C, Horvitz, B. Virtual Schools in the U.S. 2014: Politics, Performance, Policy, and Research Evidence. Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center.


Huerta, L. A., Rice, J. K., & Shafer, S. R. (2013). Key policy issues in virtual schools: Finance and governance, instructional quality and teacher quality. In A. Molnar (Ed.), Miron, G., Huerta, L. A., Cuban, L., Horvitz, B., Gulosino, C., Rice, J.K., & Shafer, S.R. Virtual schools in the U.S. 2013: Politics, performance, policy, and research evidence. Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center.


Huerta, L. A. (2012). Review of “Teachers in the age of digital instruction: Creating sound policy for digital learning.” Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center. http://nepc.colorado.edu/thinktank/review-teachers-digital-age


Huerta, L. A. (2009). Review of three tuition-tax-credit voucher reports from the Friedman Foundation. Boulder and Tempe: Education and the Public Interest Center & Education Policy Research Unit. http://epicpolicy.org/thinktank/reviewtuition-tax-credits

 

Huerta, L. A. & d’Entremont, C. (2006). Tax credits as legal, political and policy alternative to vouchers? Occasional Paper Series #131. New York, NY: National Center for the Study of Privatization in Education, Teachers College-Columbia University.


d’Entremont, C. & Huerta, L. A. (2006). Irreconcilable differences? Education vouchers and the suburban response. Occasional Paper Series #137. New York, NY: National Center for the Study of Privatization in Education, Teachers College-Columbia University.


Huerta, L. A. & González, M. F. (2004). Cyber and home school charter schools: How states are defining new forms of public schooling. Occasional Paper Series #87. New York, NY: National Center for the Study of Privatization in Education, Teachers College-Columbia University.


Grubb, W. N. & Huerta, L. A. (2001). Straw into gold, resources into results: Spinning out the implications of the new school finance (Research Series No. 01-1). Berkeley, CA: Policy Analysis for California Education, University of California.


Fuller, B., Huerta, L. A., & Ruenzel, D. (2000). A costly gamble or serious reform? California’s school voucher initiative—Proposition 38. Berkeley, CA: Policy Analysis for California Education, University of California.


Fuller, B., Burr, E., Huerta, L. A., Puryear, S., & Wexler, E. (1999). School choice: Abundant hopes, scarce evidence of results. Berkeley, CA: Policy Analysis for California Education, University of California.


Fuller, B. & Huerta, L. A. (1999). Review of competition in education: A 1999 update of school choice in Massachusetts. Boston, MA: Pioneer Institute for Public Policy Research.


Huerta, L. A., Puryear, S., & Wexler, E. (1999). Policy brief. School choice grows with scare evidence of effects. In Policy Analysis for California Education Newsletter Vol.2(1). Berkeley, CA: Policy Analysis for California Education, University of California.


Huerta, L. A. (1997). Policy brief. Charter schools: Are they more effective? In Policy Analysis for California Education Newsletter Vol.1(1). Berkeley, CA: Policy Analysis for California Education, University of California.


Legislative and Legal Testimony

Huerta, L. A. (2018, March 13). Vouchers and charter schools. An analysis of evidence. Testimony on Education Reform Act of Puerto Rico S. 825, Puerto Rico Legislature, Senate Committee on Education.


Huerta, L. A. (2017, July 21). Vouchers and tuition tax credits: An analysis of claims, assumptions and evidence. Testimony on SB 2, Texas State Senate, Senate Committee on Education.


Huerta, L. A. (2016, October 17). Vouchers and tuition tax credits: An analysis of claims, assumptions and evidence. Testimony on Education Savings Accounts, Vouchers and Tuition Tax Credits, Texas House of Representatives, Committee on  Public Education.


Huerta, L. A. (2016, February 3). Vouchers and tuition tax credits: An analysis of claims, assumptions and evidence. Testimony on Expanding Educational Opportunity Through School Choice, United States House of Representatives, Committee on Education and the Workforce.


Huerta, L. A. (2015, Mach 27). Vouchers and tuition tax credits: An analysis of claims, assumptions and evidence. Testimony on SB 642, SB 276, SB 4, Texas House of Representatives, Committee on  Public Education.


Huerta, L. A.  (2014). Analysis of the Florida tax credit scholarship program and John M. McKay scholarship program for students with disabilities. Expert testimony submitted for Citizens for Strong Schools v. Florida State Board of Education (2015).


Huerta, L. A. (2012, October 8). Framing an accountability blueprint for virtual schools in Texas, Testimony to Texas State Senate, Austin, TX; Senate Committee on Education

 

Huerta, L. A. (March, 2005). Next steps for results: The improved school finance and the CFE v. State of New York case. Expert testimony/policy report submitted for Campaign for Fiscal Equity v. State of New York (2005)

 

Grubb, W. N., Goe, L., & Huerta, L. A. (2003). The unending search for equity: California policy, the improved school finance, and the Williams case. Expert testimony/policy report submitted for Williams et al. v. State of California (2003). ( served as expert witness )


Finkelstein, N. & Huerta, L. A. (2000, February). National perspectives on educational adequacy. Testimony to California State Legislature. Sacramento, CA: Select Committee on School Funding Reform.

Related Articles

TC'S Huerta Discusses NYC School Funding Case

TC faculty member Luis Huerta recently appeared on “Urban Agenda,” a CUNY television program.

Pursuing equal educational opportunity in a post-Brown world

TC's Equity Symposium asks: Can the state finance suits fill the gap as the Supreme Court retreats on integration?

It's Not Just Academic

The knock on scholarly conferences and symposia is that too often they are just that: scholarly. Information gets presented; debates ensue - but then what?

TC: America's Policy Mecca

"The more the merrier," said President Susan Fuhrman welcoming TC's students to the College's 5th Annual Policy Studies Orientation Panel on September 12th. Fuhrman's reference was to TC's unrivaled breadth of policy-related courses and programs. However she was also keynoting an event specifically designed to help students navigate this rich assortment which in the past has sometimes puzzled newcomers.

A Campaign for Equity: Across the State

Michael Rebell and the Campaign for Fiscal Equity are finishing what Brown v. the Board of Education started. Come to TC and take his class.

Getting Better All the Time

Teachers College "has always been an incredibly policy-rich environment," says Sharon Lynn Kagan, who was named TC's first Associate Dean for Policy and head of the newly created Office of Policy and Research (OPR) in 2004. "Now we're making it an easier place to navigate, and that's one more reason why we're becoming the institute of choice both for users of policy research and for policy students."

Luis Huerta: K12, Inc. Running Newark Charter From "Soup to Nuts"

The Associate Professor of Education tells The Star-Ledger that the for-profit company is running a public charter school without much input from the public

TC's Luis Huerta: Doubling Down on Testing is a Failed Wager

On the OpEducation blog of Education Week, the Associate Professor of Education and Public Policy says increase in standards and accountability reforms have "ignored the wider process of schooling."

Luis Huerta on Charters: "Let's Not Confuse More With Better"

In a Huffington Post article about charter schools, Luis Huerta says: "Scaling up sheer numbers is very different than scaling up schools that show promise."

Luis Huerta Comments on Increased Attention on Virtual Schools

Huerta, Associate Professor of Education and Public Policy, told Education Week that, despite their advertisements, "there is no evidence" that virtual K-12 education companies like K12 Inc. are innovative.

Luis Huerta Named an Editor of AERA Journal

Expert on school choice reforms and school finance policy is one of four scholars who will edit the association's scholarly publication

Luis Huerta: "No Excuses" Discipline Assumes "Parents Have Lost Faith in Value of Education"

Commenting on an experiment to use the practices of high-performing charter schools in Houston public schools, Huerta, an Associate Professor of Education, tells the Huffington Post that he's not sure that charters' use of strict discipline explains their success.

Luis Huerta Says Homeschooling has Grown 30 Percent in 10 Years

The growth of online charter schools and online education in public schools could redefine homeschooling, professor Huerta says. While the academic progress of Arizona's homeschooled students is not tracked, he said home education that is publicly funded should be better-monitored by state government agencies.

Luis Huerta Discusses Rising Homeschooling With Arizona Republic

Huerta, associate professor of education, says homeschooling is often a partnership between public schools and families, "mostly through the expansion of cyber charter schools."

Huerta comments on KIPP Dropout Study

A study from Western Michigan University found high dropout rates among black males atKIPP charter schools. TC's Luis Huerta comments in an Edweek Story.

Huerta: Home School Tax Breaks May Unite Conservatives

In "Room for Debate" on the New York Times website, Luis Huerta, Associate Professor of Education and Public Policy, says G.O.P. proposal for tax credits for home schooling may be rooted in deeper culture wars promoted by fiscal and social conservatives.

TC's Luis Huerta Says Charter Schools Should Share More

Charter schools were created to innovate and share their success stories. Huerta told the Associated Press that Gates Foundation grants may encourage them to form more partnerships with traditional schools.

Luis Huerta Weighs in on Charters and Religion

In a recent Wall Street Journal story, Luis Huerta says it's sometimes hard to determine whether public funds are being used for religious instruction in some New York City charter schools.

Huerta Cited in NY Times Story on Charters

Luis Huerta, Associate Professor of Education, spoke with The New York Times for a story about online charter schools.

Seven TC Scholars Make 2013 Edu-Scholar Public Presence Rankings

The EducationNext blogger Rick Hess ranks education scholars by the quality of their research and "footprint on the public discourse" in education.

The Backlash against Charter Schools

Writing for the New York Times' online "Room for Debate" forum, TC's Jeffrey Henig and Luis Huerta (third piece from the top) argue that "shifting economic and political conditions at the state and national level" are one reason for "the more vocal and newly energized critiques of charters" in New York and elsewhere. http://nyti.ms/9BCzPk

Click here to read a story in the 2010 TC Annual Report about charter schools and new research by Henig, Huerta, and TC faculty member Henry Levin and student Jonathan Gyurko.

Engaged in the Pursuit of Equity

Joe Rogers, Jr. (M.A. '09) is using his policy skills and community organizing talents to mobilize key stakeholders around improving New York's public schools.

Upper Manhattan Principals Meet with U.S. Education Official

With all the federal initiatives focusing on education in recent months, Teachers College assembled a group of 150 Upper Manhattan school principals on August 30 to meet with Anthony W. Miller, deputy secretary and chief operating officer of the U.S. Department of Education.

The Best Policy

A new department will centralize the College's interdisciplinary policy work and bring together some of the nation's leading experts.

TEACHERS COLLEGE CREATES EDUCATION POLICY DEPARTMENT

The new department will centralize the College's interdisciplinary policy work and bring together some of the nation's leading experts.

The Best Policy

A new department centralizes the College's interdisciplinary policy work.

TC President, 11 Faculty Make 2014 EduScholar Public Influence Rankings

Rankings by Rick Hess, education blogger for the American Enterprise Institute, include President Susan Fuhrman and Thomas Bailey, Jeff Henig, Luis Huerta, Sharon Lynn Kagan, Hank Levin, Ernest Morrell, Aaron Pallas, Michael Rebell, Judith Scott-Clayton, Amy Stuart Wells and Penny Wohlstetter. Hess annually ranks university scholars by their contributions to public debates about education.

2013 Year in Review: Research

2013 Year in Review: Research

Back to skip to quick links