Debbie uses institutional and organizational theory lenses to study the field of education policy. In particular, she studies policymaking and implementation, organizational decision-making, and access. Throughout her work, Debbie focuses on social inequities and the ways educational policies support or hinder more equitable outcomes for youth.
Prior to joining NORC, Debbie worked as a dual postdoctoral scholar with Northwestern University and Tulane University. At Northwestern University, Debbie worked for the National Center for Research in Policy and Practice studying the ways that district leaders draw on research and data in their instructional decision-making. At Tulane University, she worked on America’s first randomized control trial of a free college scholarship intervention. In addition, Debbie has worked as a research analyst for SRI International’s Center for Education Policy where she contributed to projects analyzing a broad range of policy issues such as the teacher labor market, arts education, and professional development.
Quick Links
Education
PhD
Northwestern University
MA
Northwestern University
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
San Francisco State University
BA
University of California in San Diego
Project Contributions
Publications
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ChicagoSpeaks: New Community-Driven Survey Platform Capture Perspectives of Chicagoans
Press Release | October 24, 2024
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opens in new tab"Packaging the Promise: Money, Messaging, and Misalignment."
Journal Article | August 28, 2022
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opens in new tab"Report on High Quality Distance Learning Practices for the Bureau of Indian Education."
Project Report | November 1, 2021
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opens in new tab"Constraints, Values, and Information: How Leaders in One District Justify Their Positions during Instructional Decision Making."
Journal Article | March 25, 2021
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opens in new tab"Ideological Call to Arms: Analyzing Institutional Contradictions in Political Party Discourse on Education and Accountability Policy, 1952-2012."
Book | March 19, 2016
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opens in new tab"Using Assessments for Instructional Improvement: A Literature Review."
Journal Article | April 5, 2010