Political Theory and Systems; School Finance; Comparative Education
Columbia, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
Books:
Education and the Commercial Mindset (Harvard University Press, 2016; paperback, 2018; Chinese translation, 2022)
Chapters:
“The Trouble with Outsourcing School Management,” in Challenges in Classical Liberalism: Debating the Policies of Today Versus Tomorrow (Palgrave Macmillan, 2023)
"Återbesök i en fjärran spegel," in När skolan blev marknad (Natur och Kultur, 2022)
"Perspectives on School Vouchers," in Handbook of Research on School Choice, 2nd ed. (Routledge, 2020)
"Olika vägar i Norden," in Utbildningsekonomi: Om lärandets värde (Natur och Kultur, 2017)
Articles and Reports:
"The Fiscal Consequences of Private School Vouchers," Southern Poverty Law Center/Public Funds Public Schools, March 2023, co-authored with Steven J. Koutsavlis
"The Telling Gap in Carson v. Makin," National Center for the Study of Privatization in Education, June 30, 2022
"Carson v. Makin Echoes Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue," National Center for the Study of Privatization in Education, December 9, 2021
"NEPC Review: Florida versus Kentucky," National Education Policy Center, July 2021, co-authored with Steven J. Koutsavlis
"Les écoles publiques sous contrat risquent d'ajouter au phénomène de ségrégation," Le Monde, November 30, 2021, co-authored with Philippe Bongrand
"Getting Education Data Right: The Case of High School Admissions," Columbia Journalism Review, April 20, 2021
"The Importance of Measuring What Does Not Get Measured," NORRAG Special Issue No. 4: New Philanthropy and the Disruption of Global Education (April 2020): 140-142
"Exit, Voice, and Charter Schools," La Revista Jurídica de la Universidad de Puerto Rico 88:3 (May 2019): 895-919
"School Vouchers," in SAGE Encylopedia of Educational Research, Measurement, and Evaluation (SAGE, 2018)
"The Real Data for NYC High School Admissions," National Center for the Study of Privatization in Education, April 9, 2017
"The Wrong and Right Business Lessons for Schools," The Los Angeles Times, January 8, 2017
"The Mismeasure of Teaching Time," Working Paper, Center for Benefit-Cost Studies of Education, Teachers College, Columbia University, January 2015
"Free School Lunch for All," The New York Times, April 15, 2014
"Puer Ludens: Learning and Playing in Finland," ATA Magazine, December 5, 2011
"Technology in Moderation," Teachers College Record, November 4, 2011
"The Children Must Play: What the U.S. Could Learn from Finland about Education Reform," The New Republic, January 28, 2011
Educational Privatization and School Choice (EDPE 4155), Teachers College, Fall 2023
Contemporary Civilization I (CC1101), Columbia College, Fall 2023
Samuel E. Abrams
Contact Information:
National Center for the Study of Privatization in Education
230 Thompson Hall
Teachers College, Columbia University
New York, NY 10027
Phone: (212) 678-8117
E-mail: sa307@tc.columbia.edu
Web site: https://www.tc.columbia.edu/faculty/sa307/
Education:
Ph.D., Politics and Education, Columbia University, 2018
M.A., Economics and Education, Columbia University, 2006
B.A., History, Columbia University, 1989
Appointments:
Director, National Center for the Study of Privatization in Education (NCSPE), Teachers
College, Columbia University, September 2014 –
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Columbia University,
January 2020 –
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Education Policy and Social Analysis
(EPSA), Teachers College, September 2018 –
Visiting Scholar, University of Turku, Finland, September 2023 –
Fulbright Visiting Professor, University of Turku, Finland, September 2022 — August
2023
Visiting Professor, Institute of Advanced Studies, CY Cergy Paris Université, Neuville-
sur-Oise, France, October 25 – November 12, 2021
Instructor, EPSA, January 2015 – May 2018
Research Associate, NCSPE, September 2011 – August 2014
Visiting Scholar, Teachers College, September 2008 – August 2011
Teaching Experience:
Epistemological Foundations of Science (KATO 0081), University of Turku, Spring
2023, co-professor
Educational Equality and Justice (EDUK 5309), University of Turku, Spring 2023,
co-professor
Aspects of Sociology and Politics of Education (KTL 0097), University of Turku, Spring
2023, co-professor
Comparative and International Education (KTL 0064), University of Turku, Fall 2022,
co-professor
Educational Privatization and School Choice (EDPE 4155), Teachers College, Spring
2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Fall 2020, Fall
2021, Fall 2023
Political Philosophy and Education Policy (EDPP 6540), Teachers College, Summer
2019, Summer 2020, Summer 2021, Summer 2022, Spring 2024
Politics of Centralization and Decentralization (EDPP 5041), Teachers College, Spring
2020
American Politics and Education (EDPP 4040), Teachers College, Spring 2021, Spring
2022
Contemporary Civilization I: Plato to Rousseau (CC1101), Columbia College, Fall 2020,
Fall 2021, Fall 2023
Contemporary Civilization II: Kant to Foucault (CC1102), Columbia College, Spring
2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2024
Publications:
Book:
Education and the Commercial Mindset (Harvard University Press, 2016; paperback,
2018; Chinese translation, China Translation & Publishing House, 2022)
Dissertation:
521 Fifth Avenue: The Corporate Makeover of Education and Its Limits (2018)
Dissertation Committee: Katrina E. Bulkley, Jon Elster, Jeffrey R. Henig, Aaron M.
Pallas (chair), and Henry M. Levin
Chapters:
“The Trouble with Outsourcing School Management,” in Joshua C. Hall and Alice
Kassens, eds., Challenges in Classical Liberalism: Debating the Policies of Today
Versus Tomorrow (Palgrave Macmillan, 2023)
“Återbesök i en fjärran spegel,” in Per Kornhall, Sten Svensson, Jajsa Allelin, and Bo
Karlsson, eds., När skolan blev marknad (Natur och Kultur, 2022)
“Perspectives on School Vouchers,” in Mark Berends, Ann Primus, and Matthew G.
Springer, eds., Handbook of Research on School Choice, Second Edition (Routledge,
2020)
“Olika vägar i Norden,” in Alli Klapp, ed., Utbildningsekonomi: Om lärandets värde
(Natur och Kultur, 2017)
Peer-Reviewed Articles and Reports:
“The Fiscal Consequences of Private School Vouchers,” Southern Poverty Law
Center/Public Funds Public Schools, March 2023 (with Steven J. Koutsavlis)
“National Education Policy Review: Florida Versus Kentucky: School Choice Improves
Public School Performance, Too,” July 15, 2021 (with Steven J. Koutsavlis)
“The Importance of Measuring What Does Not Get Measured,” NORRAG Special Issue
No. 4: New Philanthropy and the Disruption of Global Education (April 2020): 140-
142
“Exit, Voice, and Charter Schools,” La Revista Jurídica de la Universidad de Puerto
Rico, 88 (3) (May 2019): 895-919
“School Vouchers,” in Bruce Frey, ed., SAGE Encyclopedia of Research, Measurement,
and Evaluation (SAGE, 2018)
“Technology in Moderation,” Teachers College Record, November 4, 2011
Essays, Policy Briefs, Commentaries, Book Reviews:
“The Telling Gap in Carson v. Makin,” NCSPE, June 30, 2022
“Carson v. Makin Echoes Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue,” NCSPE,
December 9, 2021
“Les écoles publiques sous contrat risquent d’ajouter au phénomène de segregation,” Le
Monde, November 30, 2021 (with Philippe Bongrand)
Book Review: Joanne W. Golann, Scripting the Moves: Culture and Control in a ‘No-
Excuses’ Charter School (2021), NCSPE, July 26, 2021
Book Review: Derek W. Black, Schoolhouse Burning: Public Education and the
Assault on American Democracy (2020), NCSPE, June 7, 2021
“Getting Education Data Right: The Case of High School Admissions,” Columbia
Journalism Review, April 20, 2021
“Federal Court Strikes Down DeVos Guidance on CARES Act Funding,” NCSPE,
September 9, 2020
“KIPP Drops ‘Work Hard. Be Nice.’ Motto and Provokes Derision from The Wall Street
Journal,” NCSPE, July 12, 2020
“Florida Vastly Expands Voucher Program,” NCSPE, June 29, 2020
“Oliver Williamson, 1932-2020,” NCSPE, June 8, 2020
“Puerto Rico Charter Sector to Take Off,” NCSPE, February 13, 2019
“Gorsuch Makes His Mark,” NCSPE, June 30, 2017
“The Real Data for NYC High School Admissions,” NCSPE, April 9, 2017
“For-Profit Ed Sector Rebounds Under Trump,” NCSPE, February 28, 2017
“The Wrong and Right Business Lessons for Schools,” Op-Ed, The Los Angeles Times,
January 8, 1917
“The Mismeasure of Teaching Time,” Working Paper, Center for Benefit-Cost Studies of
Education, Teachers College, January 2015
“Free School Lunch for All,” Letter, The New York Times, April 15, 2014
“Puer Ludens: Playing and Learning in Finland,” Alberta Teachers Association
Magazine, Winter 2011
“The Children Must Play: What the United States Could Learn from Finland about
Education Reform,” The New Republic, January 28, 2011
Book Review: Garry Wills, Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words that Remade America
(1992), College Board AP Central, September 26, 2007
Book Review: Joseph J. Ellis, His Excellency: George Washington (1994), College
Board AP Central, September 26, 2007
Book Review: Edward J. Larson and Michael P. Winship (eds.), The Constitutional
Convention: A Narrative History from the Notes of James Madison (2005), College
Board AP Central, September 26, 2007
Book Review: David Riesman, The Lonely Crowd (2001; 1950, first ed.), College Board
AP Central, September 26, 2007
Book Review: Ruth Schwartz Cowan, A Social History of American Technology (1997),
College Board AP Central, September 26, 2007
Book Review: Robert Divine et al., America Past and Present (2002), College Board AP
Central, February 1, 2006
Book Review: Robert Dallek, An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917-1963 (2003),
College Board AP Central, December 16, 2005
Book Review: Edmund S. Morgan, Benjamin Franklin (2002), College Board AP
Central, August 26, 2005
Book Review: Carl Van Doren, Benjamin Franklin (1991; 1938, first ed.), College Board
AP Central, August 16, 2005
Book Review: Louis Menand, The Metaphysical Club: A Story of Ideas in America
(2001), College Board AP Central, August 16, 2005
Book Review: George Breitman (ed.), Malcolm X Speaks: Selected Speeches and
Statements (1969), College Board AP Central, August 16, 2005
Book Review: Richard Hofstadter, Anti-Intellectualism in American Life (1966; 1963,
first ed.), College Board AP Central, February 10, 2005
Book Review: Taylor Branch, Pillar of Fire: America in the King Years, 1963-65 (1999),
College Board AP Central, February 10, 2005
Book Review: Taylor Branch, Parting the Waters: America in the King Years, 1954-63
(1989), College Board AP Central, February 10, 2005
Book Review: David Herbert Donald, Lincoln (1995), College Board AP Central,
September 27, 2004
Book Review: David Halberstam, The Best and the Brightest (1993, 1972, first ed.),
College Board AP Central, November 16, 2003
Book Review: James McPherson, The Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era (1988),
College Board AP Central, November 16, 2003
Book Review: James Patterson, Brown v. Board of Education: A Civil Rights Milestone
and Its Troubled Legacy (2002), College Board AP Central, October 27, 2003
Book Review: Richard Hofstadter, The Age of Reform: From Bryan to F.D.R. (1960;
1955, first ed.), College Board AP Central, March 9, 2003
Book Review: Morton Horwitz, The Transformation of American Law, Volume II: 1870-
1960 (1992), College Board AP Central, January 15, 2003
Book Review: Morton Horwitz, The Transformation of American Law, Volume I: 1780-
1860 (1977), College Board AP Central, January 9, 2003
Book Review: Lawrence Friedman, A History of American Law (1985; 1973, first ed.),
College Board AP Central, September 6, 2002
“Inflation vs. Jobs,” Letter, The New York Times, April 29, 1999
Invited Talks:
Guest Lecturer, “The Limits of Educational Privatization,” Peking University, July 10,
2023
Guest Lecturer, “The Origins and Evolution of Educational Privatization,” Peking
University, July 6, 2023
Guest Lecturer, “What Can We Learn from Finnish Schooling?” Renmin University,
July 5, 2023
Guest Lecturer, “The Origins and Limits of Educational Privatization,” Tsinghua
University, July 4, 2023
Guest Lecturer, “Educational Privatization Today,” Leibniz University Hannover, May
10, 2023
Guest Lecturer, “The Origins and Limits of Educational Privatization,” Leibniz
University Hannover, May 9, 2023
Guest Lecturer, “Whence and Whither Educational Privatization?” University of
Cologne, May 3, 2023
Guest Lecturer, “What Makes a Book?” University of Cologne, May 3, 2023
Guest Lecturer, “Elder Care and the Problem of Incomplete Contracting,” Centre of
Excellence in Research on Ageing and Care, University of Jyväskylä, March 14,
2023
Guest Lecturer, “The Intellectual Foundations of School Choice and Contemporary
Implications,” Free University of Amsterdam, January 27, 2023
Keynote Speaker, “The Challenges of Foreign Education Policy Borrowing: Why Some
Practices May Be Imported While Others May Not,” Finnish Centre of Expertise in
Education and Development, The Role of Finnish Actors in Post-Pandemic Global
Learning, Helsinki, November 3, 2022
Keynote Speaker, “Milton Friedman et l’évolution de la privatisation de l’éducation,” In-
stitute of Advanced Studies, CY Cergy Paris Université, Neuville-sur-Oise, France,
October 26, 2021
Keynote Speaker, “The Corporate Makeover of Education,” Bar-Ilan University, Ramat
Gan, Israel, October 5, 2021 (virtual)
Keynote Speaker, “Educational Privatization,” British Columbia Teachers’ Federation,
Think Tank Seminar, Vancouver, May 7, 2021 (virtual)
Keynote Speaker, “The Promise and Perils of Educational Privatization,” Columbia
Institute, High Ground 2020: Civic Governance Forum, Vancouver, March 28, 2020
(postponed because of COVID-19)
Guest Lecturer, “Finnish Education Policy and Budgetary Constraints,” Finnish
Consulate, New York, July 19, 2019, in conjunction with a lecture by Finnish Minister
of Education Li Andersson on the future of Finnish education policy
Keynote Speaker, “Why Civic Education Matters,” Conference on Civic Education in the
U.S. and France, Teachers College, March 28, 2019
Keynote Speaker, “Exit, Voice, and Charter Schools,” University of Puerto Rico School
of Law, San Juan, February 8, 2019
Guest Lecturer, “Milton Friedman and the Evolution of School Choice,” Amherst
College, October 4, 2018
Keynote Speaker, “Market versus Structural Reform,” University of Puerto Rico, San
Juan, March 13, 2018
Keynote Speaker, “Education, Commerce, and Conflict,” Banco Popular Foundation, San
Juan, March 9, 2018
Guest Lecturer, “Paradigm Encroachment,” University of Turku, February 16, 2018
Guest Lecturer, “Market versus Structural Reform,” University of Iceland, January 12,
2018
Guest Lecturer, “Education and the Commercial Mindset,” Tallinn University, January 8,
2018
Debate Opponent (arguing the negative) v. Bob Bowdon, “Resolution: Parents should
have the choice to opt out of public schools and redirect taxpayer tuition money for
their children to other approved schools or educational options,” Soho Forum, New
York, July 11, 2017
Guest Lecturer, “Education and the Commercial Mindset,” Holyoke Public Library,
Holyoke, MA, May 10, 2017
Guest Lecturer, “Education and the Commercial Mindset,” Bard College, Annandale-on-
Hudson, NY, April 6, 2017
Guest Lecturer, “Education, Business, and Conflict,” Bank Street College, New York,
April 5, 2017
Guest Lecturer, “Education, Business, and Conflict,” New York City Department of
Education Data Analytics Club, New York, March 22, 2017
Guest Lecturer, “Education and the Commercial Mindset,” Open Society Foundations,
New York, February 17, 2017
Keynote Speaker, “The Finnish Difference,” Finnish Centennial Symposium, Finnish
Embassy, Washington, DC, February 9, 2017
Speaker, “Education and the Commercial Mindset,” EduCon, Philadelphia, January 28,
2017
Guest Lecturer, “Teacher Pay and Student Performance,” University of Iceland, January
13, 2017
Guest Lecturer, “Divergent Nordic Paths,” University of Helsinki, January 11, 2017
Keynote Speaker, “Education, Business, and Conflict,” Houston Education and Civil
Rights Summit, co-sponsored by the Houston Federation of Teachers and United Opt
Out, October 15, 2016
Guest Lecturer, “Divergent Nordic Paths,” followed by discussion with Michael Dobbins,
Goethe Graduate Academy, University of Frankfurt, July 7, 2016
Guest Lecturer, “Education and the Commercial Mindset,” Goethe Graduate Academy,
University of Frankfurt, July 6, 2016
Guest Lecturer, “Education, Business, and Conflict,” Harvard Club of New York, May
11, 2016
Keynote Speaker, “Education and the Commercial Mindset,” Teachers College, May 2,
2016
Guest Lecturer, “Education, Business, and Conflict,” Alberta Teachers Association,
Calgary, Alberta, April 28, 2016
Keynote Speaker, “The Commercial Mindset: The Leadership Challenge,” Summit of
Educational Leadership, Alberta Teachers Association, Banff, Alberta, April 27, 2016
Keynote Speaker, “Education and the Commercial Mindset,” Teaching Profession
Around the World Symposium, Harvard Graduate School of Education, April 22, 2016
Guest Lecturer, “Education, Business, and Conflict,” Council for European Studies, Duke
University, April 20, 2016
Speaker, “Education and the Commercial Mindset,” Academic Festival, Teachers
College, Columbia University, April 2, 2016
Guest Lecturer, “Two Sides of the Gulf: Sweden and Finland,” seminar led by Pasi
Sahlberg, Harvard Graduate School of Education, March 30, 2016
Guest Lecturer, “Vouchers, Tuition Tax Credits, and School Choice,” Klingenstein
Program for Independent School Leadership, Teachers College, July 13, 2015
Guest Speaker, “Back to School: A Taste of Finland,” Museum of Modern Art, New
York, October 4, 2012
Guest Speaker, “The Finnish Paradox,” Policy Student Network, Teachers College,
February 21, 2012
Guest Lecturer, “Finnish Common Sense,” Graduate School of Education, University of
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, January 14, 2012
Guest Lecturer, “The Joseph Principle and Finnish Education,” Congregation Beth
Sholom, Anchorage, Alaska, November 18, 2011
Guest Lecturer, “Alaska, Finland, and Better Schooling,” Alaska Community Foundation,
Anchorage, Alaska, November 17, 2011
Keynote Speaker, “The Finnish Difference,” Mayor’s Education Summit, Anchorage,
Alaska, November 15, 2011
Keynote Speaker, “Innovation, Quantification, and Education,” Planning Committee
Annual Meeting, Alberta Teachers Association, Banff, Alberta, September 15, 2011
Guest Lecturer, “American Education Policy,” Finnish Consulate, New York, March 16,
2011
Guest Lecturer, “For-Profit Education in Sweden and America,” Klingenstein Program
for Independent School Leadership, Teachers College, December 1, 2009
Guest Lecturer, “School Choice in America,” Board of Directors, Kunskapsskolan,
Stockholm, May 11, 2009
Guest Lecturer, “School Choice,” pre-service course taught on instruction by Diane
Tortu, Bank Street College, New York, April 1, 2009
Guest Lecturer, “Teaching Today,” pre-service course on literacy taught by Dolores
Perin, Teachers College, December 1, 2008
Discussant, Moderator, Panelist, Coordinator:
Panelist, “What Should Finland Do with Its Famous Education System?” with Marcelo
Parreira do Amaral, Erno Lehtinen, and Piia Seppänen, University of Turku, May 29,
2023
Panelist, “Effectos Detrimentales de las Escuelas Charter,” with Jia Lee, Karen Marshall,
Silvana Sáez, and Mercedes Martínez, Fundación Segarra Boerman, San Juan, Puerto
Rico, Webinar, February 2, 2023
Discussant, “The Latest Evidence on Private School Choice: Cognitive and Non-
Cognitive Outcomes,” commenting on presentations by Ning Rui, Heidi H. Erickson,
Daniel Kuehn, and Corey A. DeAngelis, Annual Conference, Association for Public
Policy Analysis and Management, Denver, November 7, 2019
Panelist, “What Is the Most Productive Role for Researchers Examining the Expansion
of Private-School Vouchers?” with Julian Vasquez Heilig, Annual Meeting, National
Education Policy Center, University of Colorado, Boulder, September 27, 2019
Moderator, “Education Policy: School Vouchers, Charters, and the Privatization of
Education Funding,” American Constitution Society, New York University Law
School, April 3, 2019
Moderator, “A Tale of Two Cities: The Multicultural Classroom in Paris and New York,”
with Samia Essabaa, Fabrice Jaumont, Mika Kinoshita, Samiratou Sang, and Ibrahima
Sow, Conference on Civic Education in the U.S. and France, Teachers College, March
28, 2019
Discussant, “The Nordic Model: Finland and Education,” with Linda Liukas and Steven
Peri, Scandinavia House, New York, March 13, 2019
Panelist, “Privatización y Reforma Educativa,” with Roamé Torres González, Loida
Martinez, and William Vazquez Irizarry, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, March
13, 2018
Panelist, “School Choice,” with Derrell Bradford, Robert Enlow, Maggie Garrett, and
Erik Robelen (moderator), Education Writers Association, Georgetown University,
Washington, DC, June 1, 2017
Panelist, “Privatization of Education,” with Denisha Jones (moderator), Cristobal
Rodriguez, Tiffany Simmons, and Nantasha Williams, David. A. Clarke School of Law,
University of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC, March 30, 2017
Panelist, “Teacher Sustainability,” with Zac Chase (moderator), Derek McCoy, Deborah
Meier, and Renee Moore, EduCon, Philadelphia, January 28, 2017
Panelist, “Education and the Commercial Mindset,” with Carol Burris, Sharif El-Mekki,
LynNell Hancock, and Jeffrey R. Henig (moderator), Teachers College, May 2, 2016
Panelist, “The Twin Peaks of Datafication and Commercialization,” with Sam Sellar,
Greg Thompson, and Joel Westheimer, Summit of Educational Leadership, Alberta
Teachers Association, Banff, Alberta, April 24, 2016
Panelist, “The Role of Corporations and Philanthropy in Financing Privatization,” with
Joseph Ferrare, Steven Klees, Bob Lingard (moderator), Susan Robertson, Kenneth
Saltman, and Janelle Scott, Politics of Privatization in Education, Steinhardt School of
Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York University, April 13, 2016
Discussant, “Global Education Reform: How Privatization Versus Public Investment
Influences Education Outcomes,” commenting on presentations by Frank Adamson,
Björn Åstrand, Martin Carnoy, Linda Darling-Hammond, and Michael Fullan, Annual
Meeting, American Educational Research Association, Washington, DC, April 11,
2016
Discussant, “Policy, Governance, and Quality in Teacher Education Systems: Four
Cases,” commenting on presentations by Katharine Burn, Marilyn Cochran-Smith, Ian
Menter, Kari Smith, and Simone White, Annual Meeting, American Educational
Research Association, Washington, DC, April 10, 2016
Discussant, “Beyond the Matching Algorithm: The Implications of Intra-District Choice
for Schools, Families, and Students,” commenting on presentations by Sean Corcoran,
Betheny Gross, Michah Rothbart, and Jon Valant, Annual Meeting, Association for
Education Finance and Policy, Denver, March 19, 2016
Panelist, “For-Profit Schools: Potential or Poison?,” with John Bailey, Michael Horn, and
Mickey Revenaugh, Education Leadership Conference, Yale School of Management,
March 27, 2015
Moderator, “Nurturing Minds: Educational Design Policies, Finland/New York,” with
Bruce Barrett, Ruth Lacey, Kaisa Nuikkinen, Pasi Sahlberg, and Steve Stoll, Center for
Architecture, New York, October 16, 2012
Panelist “The Finland Phenomenon,” with Richard Ianuzzi, Tony Wagner, and Randi
Weingarten, Half Hollow Hills Teachers Association, Half Hollow Hills High School,
NY, May 30, 2012
Panelist, “Creating Great Schools,” with Stephen Murgatroyd, Pasi Sahlberg, and Dennis
Shirley, Alberta Teachers Association and Finnish National Board of Education,
Helsinki, Finland, May 3-4, 2012
Coordinator and Discussant, “Finnish Lessons,” lecture by Pasi Sahlberg, Teachers
College, September 27, 2010
Coordinator and Moderator, Symposium on Finnish and American Schooling, involving
ten members of the Finnish Parliament, six members of the Teachers College faculty,
and four outside experts, March 22, 2010
Professional Activity:
Committee Expert, Iniciativa de descentralización educative y autonomía regional
(IDEAR), Departamento de Educación de Puerto Rico, Rico, May 2023 –
Expert Evaluator, Fulbright Finland Foundation, October 2022 –
Research Advisory Board Member, National Center for Research on Education Access
and Choice (REACH), Tulane University, October 2022 –
Fellow, National Education Policy Center (NEPC), University of Colorado, Boulder,
September 2020 –
Commissioner, Health and Education Subcommittee, Resilient Puerto Rico Advisory
Commission, January – June 2018
Spencer Fellowship Mentor to Audrey Watters, Columbia Journalism School, September
2017 – May 2018
Consultant, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD),
2012 – 2014, author of indicators on learning time, teacher education, teaching, and
professional development for Education at a Glance
Referee/Reviewer: Emil Aaltonen Foundation, Bloomsbury Press, Columbia University
Press, Compare, Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, Education Inquiry,
Educational Policy, Educational Researcher, Harvard Education Press, Higher
Education Quarterly, Interchange, International Conference on School Choice and
Reform, International Journal of Educational Development, Journal of Education
Policy, Peter Lang, Review of Educational Research, Springer, Teachers College Press,
Teachers College Record
Book Reviewer, College Board, A.P. Central, 2002 – 2007
Dissertation Committee Member:
Wajeeha Hazoor Bajwa, Comparative and International Education, Columbia University,
2022 –
Miranda Hansen-Hunt, Anthropology and Education, Columbia University, 2022 –
Kirsten Welch, Philosophy and Education, Columbia University, 2022 –
In the Media:
The Anchorage Daily News, Associated Press, The Atlantic, Bloomberg, Chalkbeat, CQ
Researcher, Education Week, L’Espresso, Fréttatíminn, The Hechinger Report,
Helsingin Sanomat, The Helsinki Times, International Affairs Forum, Inter Press
Service, Le Monde Diplomatique, The New Republic, Newsweek, The New York Times,
NotiCel, Phi Delta Kappan, ProPublica, Slate, Sveriges Television, Tampa Bay Times,
Time, Town & Country, Vanity Fair, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post,
The Washington Post Magazine, WBUR, WFSU, and WXPI
Association Memberships:
American Educational Research Association
Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
Comparative and International Education Society
World Association for International Studies
Awards and Honors:
Knight, First Class, Order of the Lion of Finland, awarded by the Finnish government,
May 2014, in recognition of advancing the understanding of Finnish education
Coach of the Year, Ice Hockey in Harlem, 2009-2010
Faculty Commencement Speaker, Beacon School, June 2009
Faculty Commencement Speaker, Friends Academy, June 1995
King’s Gold Crown Award, 1989, for service as a volunteer in the Columbia Big
Brothers/Big Sisters program, both as a Big Brother to a neighborhood boy for four
years and co-director of the program for two
Research Grants:
Southern Poverty Law Center, “Pilot Study of Fiscal Impact of Private School Vouchers
on Public Schools,” February 15, 2020 – February 14, 2021 ($35,000)
Smith Richardson Foundation, “The Limits of For-Profit Schooling,” September 1, 2008
– August 31, 2009 ($25,000)
Anthony E. Meyer Family Foundation, “The Limits of For-Profit Schooling,” September
1, 2008 – August 31, 2009 ($5,000)
Fellowships:
Fulbright Scholar Award, University of Turku, Finland, September 2022 — August 2023
Tisch Distinguished Fellow, Teachers College, September 1, 2016 – May 31, 2018
Alia Wong, "American Classrooms Need More Educators; Can Virtual Teachers Step in to Bridge the Gap?" USA Today, August 31, 2023
Sarah Mervosh, "$7,200 for Every Student: Arizona's Ultimate Experiment in School Choice," The New York Times, July 24, 2023 (citing The Fiscal Consequences of Private School Vouchers)
Tim Walker, "'Lose Your School, You Lose Your Town': Educators in Rural States Mobilize Against Vouchers," NEA Today, May 12, 2023
Laura Hancock, "Ohio Is One of 5 States Looking to Expand Private School Vouchers this Year," The Plain Dealer, April 16, 2023
Rebecca Gaunt, "Report Documents 'Explosive Growth' in Georgia's School Voucher Spending; Georgia Bill Could Expand That Further," Cobb County Courrier, March 27, 2023
Libby Stanford and Mark Lieberman, "Education Savings Accounts, Explained," Education Week, March 27, 2023
Megan Pauly, "Education Savings Accounts: Unpacking a New Republican-Led Bill," Virginia Public Media News, January 6, 2023
Audrey Fisné-Koch, "Charter schools: dans les écoles publiques américaines, les acteurs privés prennent le relais," Pour L'Éco, September 6, 2022
Mark Lieberman, "Contractors Are Filling Staffing Gaps in Schools; Know the Benefits and the Drawbacks," Education Week, June 29, 2022
Callie Patteson and Cayla Bamberger, "SCOTUS Overturns Maine Law Barring Religious Schools from Tuition Aid," The New York Post, June 21, 2022
Alyson Klein, "Using Virtual Teachers to Fill Vacancies: Smart Solution or Big Mistake?," Education Week, May 26, 2022
Erin Einhorn, "Betsy DeVos Might Finally Get Her Wish for Private School Vouchers in Michigan," NBC News, March 26, 2022
Madeleine Carlisle and Katie Reilly, "This Supreme Court Case Could Take a 'Wrecking Ball' to Separation of Church and State," Time, December 6, 2021
Guest Lecture, "La privatisation dans les politiques éducatives aux États-Unis: Tendances et points de vue," CY Cergy Paris University, Ocober 26, 2021
Amy Halpern-Laff and Jon Moscow, "Critical Analysis: Not Just for Students," Ethical Schools, Podcast, May 20, 2021
Peter Georgiev, "Data Journalism Top 10," Global Investigative Journalism Network, April 30, 2021
Alvin Roth, "Selective NYC High Schools Aren't as Hard to Get Into as Is Sometimes Reported," Market Design, April 28, 2021
Lora Kelley, "The Dark Side of Box Tops for Education," The Atlantic, April 7, 2021
Amy Halpern-Laff and Jon Moscow, "Dodging Responsibility for Our Children," Ethical Schools, Podcast, December 17, 2020
Marlene Sokol, "Tampa Bay Charter Schools Are Growing During the Pandemic," The Tampa Bay Times, December 10, 2020
Arno Rosenfield, "Betsy DeVos Loved Religious Education-What Will Happen to Jewish Schools Under Biden?," The Forward, December 4, 2020
Leslie Brody, "Education Guru Chris Whittle Tries a Comeback With New School in Brooklyn," The Wall Street Journal, November 14, 2019
Tim Walker, "Jobs Threatened by Privatization, Educators and Their Allies Strike Back," NEA Today, November 1, 2019
Jim Rendon, "Can Controversial Entrepreneur Chris Whittle Create a New Model for Private Schools?," The Washington Post Magazine, October 23, 2019
Lynn Hatter, "Richard Corcoran's School Choice Agenda Riles Local Leaders, Unions," WFSU, August 27, 2019
Lakshi De Vass Gunawardena, "Finland's Education System Leads Globally," Inter Press Service, July 22, 2019
Carola Mamberto and Lorena Pieri, "Ecco le scuole dei riechi: 40 mila euro l'anno per studiare solo con i potenti," L'Espresso, January 17, 2019
Sam Tanenhaus, "The Strange Ascent of Betsy DeVos and Erik Prince," Vanity Fair, September 6, 2018
Violette Goarant, "Privatisation de l'école, le fiasco suédois," Le Monde Diplomatique, September 1, 2018
Sam Tanenhaus, "Can Chris Whittle Launch a Truly Global School?," Town & Country, July 10, 2018
Adriana De Jesús Salamán, "Profesor estadounidense aborda áreas grises de las 'charters'," NotiCel, March 10, 2018
Sarah Butrymowicz, "Betsy DeVos's School Choice Ideas Are a Reality in Sweden," Hechinger Report, February 28, 2018
Heikki Kettunen, "Samuel Abrams: Koulutuksen mittarit voivat korruptoida opetusta," University of Turku, February 23, 2018
Jim Cuddy, "Will Public Schools Survive Betsy DeVos?" America's Democrats, Podcast 367, February 18, 2018
Reed Karaim, "Privatizing Government Services: Do Business-Run Public Services Save Taxpayers Money?" CQ Researcher, December 8, 2017
Gary D. Robertson, "North Carolina a Leader in State Vouchers for Private School," Associated Press, December 1, 2017
Monica Disare, "Why Do Some New York City Schools Get to Choose Their Students?" Chalkbeat, November 6, 2017
Irene Plagianos, "WeWork Is Launching a Grade School for Budding Entrepreneurs," Bloomberg, November 6, 2017
Graham Vyse, "Ralph Northam Is Taking on Betsy DeVos--by Breaking with Barack Obama," The New Republic, October 19, 2017
Heather Vogell, "For-Profit Schools Reward Students for Referrals and Facebook Endorsements," ProPublica, October 6, 2017
Wendy Paris, "Dear New York Times: Please Don't Hype the High School Admissions Process Again," Phi Delta Kappan, September 28, 2017
Maria Danilova, "Study: Florida Private School Choice Program Sees Gains," Associated Press, September 27, 2017
Natasha Singer, "Silicon Valley Courts Brand-Name Teachers, Raising Ethics Issues," The New York Times, September 2, 2017
Jim Epstein and Ian Keyser, "Is School Choice Good for Kids? Listen to Last Night's Debate," Reason.com, July 12, 2017
Leo Casey, "The Warped Logic of School Privatization," Dissent, Summer 2017
Emery P. Dalesio, "States Test Worksite Charter Schools for Company Kids," Associated Press, June 17, 2017
C-SPAN2, "School Choice," Education Writers Association National Seminar, Georgetown University, June 1, 2017
Monica Disare, "New York City's High School Applicant Stats Paint a Misleading Picture, Columbia Researcher Says," Chalkbeat, May 30, 2017
Jeremy Hobson, "Why There's a Renewed Push to Privatize Public Education," National Public Radio, May 9, 2017
Maria Danilova, "Study: DC Voucher Program Shows Poorer Math Results," Associated Press, April 27, 2017
Maria Danilova, "Trump, DeVos Tour Private School in Florida, Promoting School Choice," Associated Press, March 3, 2017
Emily DeRuy, "In Finland, Kids Learn Computer Science Without Computers," The Atlantic, February 23, 2017
Halla Hardardóttir, "Skólar eru ekki matvara (og kennarar ekki grænmeti)," Fréttatíminn, January 19, 2017
Päivi Repo, "Huippututkija kehuu Suomen kouluja, mutta murehtii nuorten kykyä keskittyä," Helsingin Sanomat, January 13, 2017
Alexander Nazaryan, "Betsy DeVos Is Coming for Your Public Schools," Newsweek, January 10, 2017
Diane Ravitch, "When Public Goes Private, as Trump Wants: What Happens?," The New York Review of Books, December 8, 2016
Valerie Strauss, "Matt Damon Explains Why He Made This Surprising New Film," The Washington Post, October 28, 2016
Kristina Rizga, "Will Hillary Clinton's Education Policy Break from Obama's in a Huge Way?," Mother Jones, September 9, 2016
Valerie Strauss, "Why the Movement to Privatize Public Education is a Very Bad Idea," Washington Post, July 14, 2016
Laura Saarikoski, "Amerikkalaisen huippuyliospiston tutkija Pisa-tuloksista," Helsingin Sanomat, April 11, 2016
Megan Tompkins-Stange, "Educaton and the Commercial Mindset," Teachers College Record, October 19, 2016
"Sam Abrams, Finnish Knight, Defender of Children's Right to Play," Teachers College Newsroom, April 16, 2015
Sarah D. Sparks, "Study Faults Data on U.S. Teachers' Instruction Time," Education Week, February 4, 2015
International Education News, "Teaching Time in the U.S.," January 28, 2015
Matti Saarinen, "Tips from the United States for Improving Our Education System," The Helsinki Times, August 14, 2014
International Education News, "The Broader Context of School Choice in Sweden," August 8, 2014