Academic Publications

Carrell, S. and Kurlaender, M. (2022). My Professor Cares: Experimental Evidence on the Role of Faculty Engagement. Forthcoming, American Economic Journal: Economic Policy.

Blazar, D., Heller, B., Kane, T. J., Polikoff, M., Staiger, D. O., Carrell, S., … & Kurlaender, M. (2020). Curriculum reform in the Common Core era: Evaluating elementary math textbooks across six US states. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 39(4), 966-1019. (EJ1268634)

Kurlaender, M., Lusher, L., & Case, M. (2020). Is Early Start A Better Start? Evaluating California State University’s Early Start Remediation Policy. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 39(2): 348-375.

Reed, S. & Rose, H. (2020). Serving the underserved? Student characteristics and staffing patterns in California charter schools. Journal of School Choice, 14(2), 190-227.

Carrell, S., & Kurlaender, M. (2019). Estimating the Productivity of Community Colleges in Paving the Road to Four-Year College Success. In Hoxby, C. & Stange, K. (Eds.): Productivity in Higher Education, National Bureau of Economic Research, The University of Chicago Press.

Hart, C.M.D., Friedmann, E.A.Z., & Hill, M. (2018). Online Course-taking and Student Outcomes in California Community Colleges. Education Finance and Policy, 13(1): 42-71.

Kurlaender, M. (2018, September 11). High expectations demand high support: Strengthening college readiness at the California state universities. EducationNext. https://www.educationnext.org/high-expectations-demand-high-support-strengthening-college-readiness-california-state-universities

Kurlaender, M. & Hibel, J. (2018). Students’ Educational Pathways: Aspirations, Decisions, and Constrained Choices Along the Education Life course. Sociology of Education in the 21^st Century, Barbara Schneider and Guan Saw (Eds.).

Kurlaender, M., Reed, S., Cohen, K., & Ballis, B. (2018).  College Readiness in the Era of Common Core.  Getting Down to Facts II.  Policy Analysis for California Education, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California.  

Reed, S., Dougherty, S., Kurlaender, M., & Mathias, J. (2018). A Portrait of Career Technical Education Pathway Completers.  Getting Down to Facts II.  Policy Analysis for California Education, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California.

Reed, S. & Rose, H. (2018).  Lessons in charter school accountability:  Evidence from California.  Journal of School Choice.

Stevens, A., Kurlaender, M., & Grosz, M. (2018). Career technical education and labor market outcomes: Evidence from California community colleges. Journal of Human Resources, 54(4).

Friedmann, E., Kurlaender, M. & VanOmmeren, A. (2016). Addressing college readiness gaps at the college door. New Directions for Community Colleges, 176, 45-52.

Kurlaender, M., Carrell, S., & Jackson, J. (2016). The promises and pitfalls of measuring community college quality. The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences, 2(1): 174-190.

Kurlaender, M., Friedmann, E. & Chang, T. (2015). Access and diversity at the University of California in the post-affirmative action era. In U. M. Jayakumar & L. M. Garces (with F. Fernandez) (Eds.), Affirmative Action and Racial Equity: Considering the Evidence in Fisher to Forge the Path Ahead. New York: NY: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group.

Kurlaender, M., Howell, J., & Jackson, J. (2015) Improving Collegiate Outcomes at Broad-Access Institutions: Lessons for Research and Practice. In M. L. Stevens & M. W. Kirst (Eds.), Remaking College: The Changing Ecology of Higher Education. Stanford University Press.

Reed, S., & Rose, H. (2015). Charter school spending and saving in California. Journal of School Choice, 9(3), 407-445.

Kurlaender, M., Jackson, J., Howell, J., & Grodsky, E. (2014). College course scarcity and time to degree. Economics of Education Review, 41: 24-39.

Jackson, J.  & Kurlaender, M. (2014). College readiness and college completion at broad access four-year institutions. American Behavioral Scientist, 58(8): 947-971.

Kurlaender, M. (2014). Assessing the promise of California’s Early Assessment Program for community colleges. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 655:36-55.

Policy and Research Briefs

A Rising Tide, Appendix of County-level Stats. (2021, September). Davis, CA:  California Education Lab and Wheelhouse: The Center for Community College Leadership and Research, University of California, Davis, and Palo Alto, CA: Policy Analysis for California Education, Stanford University. https://education.ucdavis.edu/sites/main/files/file-attachments/a_rising_tide_county_appendix_final_2_1.pdf

A Rising Tide, a Data Update on California Dual Enrollment. (2020, December). Davis, CA: Wheelhouse: The Center for Community College Leadership and Research. https://edpolicyinca.org/sites/default/files/2020-12/ig_wheelhousedec2020.pdf

Kurlaender, M., Reber, S. & Rothstein, J. (April 22, 2020). UC Regents Should Consider All Evidence and Options in Decision on Admissions Policy. Commentary. Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE).

Friedmann, E., Kurlaender, M., Li, A., & Rumberger, R. (January 2020). A Leg Up on College: The Scale and Distribution of Community College Participation Among California High School Students. Research Brief, Wheelhouse: The Center for Community College Leadership and Research.

Kurlaender, M., Reed, S., Hurtt, A. (2019, August). Improving College Readiness: Leveraging Research to Inform Practice. Policy Analysis for California Education.

Rios-Aguilar, C., Kurlaender, M., Lyke, A., Martinez, T. (2019, June). College Affordability in Every Corner of California: Perspectives from the 2019 PACE/USC Rossier Poll. Policy Analysis for California Education.

Reed, S., Rios-Aguilar, C., Smith Arrillaga, E., Vargas, J. & Kurlaender, M. (2019, June). Empowering the intersegmental agenda: Opportunities for research, policy, and practice. PACE Continuous Improvement Brief.  Policy Analysis for California Education, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California.

Kurlaender, M., Hurtt, A., & Reed, S. (2019, April). K-12 content standards, assessment and accountability in California: A short primer for higher education. Research Brief. Palo Alto, CA: Policy Analysis for California Education, Stanford University. https://edpolicyinca.org/sites/default/files/PACE%20Infographic%20-%20K-12%20Standards%20201904.pdf

Blazar, D., Heller, B., Kane, T., Polikoff, M., Staiger, D., Carrell, S., Goldhaber, D., Harris, D., Hitch, R., Holden, K., & Kurlaender, M. (2019, March). Learning by the book: Comparing math achievement growth by textbook in six common core states. Research Brief. Boston, MA: Center for Education Policy Research, Harvard University. https://cepr.harvard.edu/files/cepr/files/cepr-curriculum-report_learning-by-the-book.pdf

Kurlaender, M., & Cohen, K., (2019, March). Predicting college success:  How do different high school assessments measure up? Research Brief, Policy Analysis for California Education, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California. 

Reed, S. (2019, January). Special education in California schools:  The challenges and solutions from multiple perspectives. PACE Continuous Improvement Brief.  Policy Analysis for California Education, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California.

Coburn, C. Friedmann, E., & Stipek, D. (2018, November). Fostering Pre-K to Elementary Alignment and Continuity in Mathematics in Urban School Districts: Challenges and Possibilities.  Policy Analysis for California Education.

Reed, S., Lee, P., Kurlaender, M., & Hernandez, A. (2018, July). Intersegmental partnerships and data sharing:  Promising practices from the field. Policy Analysis for California Education. 

Friedmann, E. & Martorell, P. (2018, April). Money left on the table. Wheelhouse Center for Community College Leadership and Research, 3(3).  

Baker, R., Friedmann, E. & Kurlaender, M. (2018, March). Associate degrees for transfer: A snapshot of progress across California community colleges. Wheelhouse Center for Community College Leadership and Research, 3(1).  

Kurlaender, M., Carrell, S., & Jackson, J. (2018, March). College quality:  The promises and pitfalls of measurement. Wheelhouse Center for Community College Leadership and Research. 3(2). 

Kurlaender, M., Kramer, K.A., Jackson, E. (2018, March). Predicting college success:  How do different high school assessments measure up? Policy Analysis for California Education.  

Reed, S. (2018, January). Community collaboration in teacher recruitment and retention. Policy Analysis for California Education.  

Friedmann, E. (2017, June). Building intersegmental partnerships. Policy Analysis for California Education.  

Harris, K., Hovis, S., Krausen, K., Chida, B., Reed, S., Wilson, A., & King, J. (2016, October).  In School + On Track 2016:  Attorney General’s 2016 report on California’s elementary school truancy and absenteeism crisis.  Special report produced by California Attorney General’s Office.

Research Reports

Reed, S. (2021, March). Beyond the White Picket Fence:  A Picture of Suburban Schools in California.  

Hurtt, A., Cohen, K. & Reed, S. (2021, March).  Early Pandemic Responses in California:  Identifying the Structural and Instructional Changes in K-12.  Policy Analysis for California Education, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California.

Reed, S., Grosz, M., Kurlaender, M. & Cooper, S. (2021, March).  A Portrait of Student Parents in the California Community Colleges. Wheelhouse:  The Center for Community College Leadership and Research, Davis. California.

Reed, S., Kurlaender, M., Martorell, P., Rury, D., Hernandez Negrete A., Perry, P., Moldoff, J., & Fuller, R. (2020, December).  College Uncertainties:  California High School Seniors in Spring 2020.  California Student Aid Commission, Sacramento, California.

California Student Aid Commission, COVID-19 Student Survey, July 2020. 

Reed, S., Kurlaender, M., & Carrell, S. (2019). Strengthening the Road to College: California’s College Readiness Standards and Lessons from District Leaders. Palo Alto, CA: Policy Analysis for California Education.

Asim, M., Kurlaender, M., & Reed, S. (2019, August). 12th Grade Course-taking and the Distribution of Opportunity for College Readiness in Mathematics. Policy Analysis for California Education, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California.

Kurlaender, M., Reed, S., Hurtt, A. (2019, August). Improving College Readiness: A Research Summary and Implications for Practice. Policy Analysis for California Education, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California.

Kurlaender, M., Reed, S., Cohen, K., Naven, M., Martorell, P., & Carrell, S. (2018, December).  Where California high school students attend college. Policy Analysis for California Education, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California.

Kurlaender, M., Martorell, P., & Reed, S.  (2016, June 27).  High school exit exams:  A review of the literature, current state reforms, and analysis of California assessment data (CAHSEE & SBAC).  Report submitted to California Department of Education. 

Kurlaender, M., Wahleithner, J. M., & Krausen, K. (2016). Literacy development and school reform at Kit Carson middle school: Final evaluation report. California Academic Partnership Program, California State University: Long Beach, CA.

Reed, S., Kurlaender, M., & Hurtt, A.  (2016, September 7).  Are A-G requirements an indicator of college readiness? Memo submitted to California Department of Education.

Presentations

Kurlaender, M. (June 2019). Symposium, Bakke at 40: Diversity, Difference and Doctrine, U.C. Davis Law Review, 52(5): 2249-2253.

Kurlaender, M. (May 14, 2019). Testimony to the Assembly Committee on the Judiciary, California Legislature.

Reed, S. (2019, September 18). 12th Grade Course-taking and the Distribution of Opportunity for College Readiness in Mathematics. Invited Presentation, State Board of Education, Sacramento, CA.

Baker, R., Friedmann, E. & Kurlaender, M. (2020, March). The Effect of California’s Associate Degrees for Transfer on BA Receipt and Efficiency.  Association of Education Finance and Policy.

Kurlaender, M., & Cohen, K., (2019, February 26).  Predicting College Success: How Do Different High School Assessments Measure Up? Invited Presentation, Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools at University of California, Oakland, CA.

Grosz, M., Kurlaender, M., & Stevens, A. (2019, March). Capacity and flexibility in CTE programs: Program offerings and student success.  American Education Finance & Policy Conference, March 2019, Kansas City, KS. 

Carrell, S., Kurlaender, M., Martorell, P., & Naven, M. (2018, December 14).  The Impact of School Quality on Postsecondary Success:  Evidence in the Era of Common Core.  Hawaii Applied Microeconomics Conference 2018. 

Reed, S., Lee, P., & Hernandez, A. (2018, November 13).  Partnerships in College and Career Readiness.  Keynote Address.  California Educational Research Association Annual Conference 2018.

Kurlaender, M., Reed, S., Isler, J., Hurtt, A., Asim, M., & Mathias, J. (2018, November 13).  Academic Rigor in 12^th Grade Course Enrollment.  Breakout Session. California Educational Research Association Annual Conference 2018.

Naven, M.  (2018, November 9).  Human Capital Formation During Childhood and Adolescence:  Evidence from School Quality and Postsecondary Success in California.  Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management 2018 Fall Research Conference.

Asim, M., & Kurlaender, M. (2018, November 5). Mathematics Course Taking Among California 12th Grade Students.  Invited Presentation, Just Equations Conference—The Mathematics of Opportunity, Oakland, CA. 

Kurlaender, M. (2018, October 15). College Readiness in the Era of Common Core. Getting Down to Facts II Conference. Sacramento, CA.

Reed, S. (2018, October 15). A Portrait of Career Technical Education Pathway Completers. Getting Down to Facts II Conference. Sacramento, CA.

Carrell, S. Kurlaender, M., Martorell, F., & Naven, M. (2018, March 15).  School Quality in California Under Common Core Standards.  American Association for Education Finance and Policy Annual Conference.  Portland, OR. 

Kurlaender, M., Jackson, E. & Kramer, K. A. (2018, January 24).  Predicting College Performance – SBAC and SAT.  Invited presentation to California Department of Education. Sacramento, CA.

Kurlaender, M. & Reed, S. (2017, December 18).  College & career readiness:  California’s CORE Districts. Invited presentation on at CORE Districts Data Team Convening.

Hurtt, A., Reed, S., Kurlaender, M., Martorell, P., & Naven, M. (2017, April). Reinvestigating the achievement gap: An analysis of student performance on the SBAC and CAHSEE. Paper presented at the American Educational Research Association, San Antonio, TX.

Carrell, S., Kurlaender, M., Martorell, P., Naven, M. (2017, March 16).  School Quality in California Under Common Core Standards.  Presentation at American Association for Education Finance and Policy Annual Conference.  Washington, DC.

Kurlaender, M.  & Martorell, P.  (May 17, 2016).  High School Graduation Requirements:  A Nationwide Scan & A Closer Look at CAHSEE & SBAC.  Invited presentation at Pathways to Graduation Advisory Panel.  Sacramento, CA. 

Kurlaender, M.  & Martorell, P.  (February 23, 2016).  High School Exit Exams:  What do We Know? Invited presentation at Pathways to Graduation Advisory Panel.   Los Angeles, CA. 

Working Papers

Asim, M., Ballis, B., Carrell, S., Kurlaender, M., & Martorell, P. (2022). How do students respond to signals of college readiness? Evidence from California’s Early Assessment Program. (Working Paper). Davis, CA: California Education Lab, University of California, Davis.

Grosz, M., Kurlaender, M., & Stevens, A. (2018). Capacity and flexibility in CTE programs: Program offerings and student success. Working Paper.  Davis, CA:  California Education Lab, University of California, Davis.

Carrell, S., Kurlaender, M., Martorell, P., & Naven, M. (2021). The impact of school quality on postsecondary success: Evidence in the era of common core. (Working Paper). Davis, CA: California Education Lab, University of California, Davis. https://education.ucdavis.edu/sites/main/files/carrell_kurlaender_martorell_naven_-_valueadded.pdf

Carrell, S., Kurlaender, M., Martorell, P., & Naven, M. (2018). The impacts of high school quality on postsecondary outcomes: Evidence in the era of Common Core.  Working Paper.  Davis, CA:  California Education Lab, University of California, Davis.

Dykeman, K. (2020, January). Predicting short term college outcomes. Dissertation Chapter. Davis, CA:  California Education Lab, University of California, Davis. 

Grosz, M. (2018).  Do postsecondary training programs respond to changes in the labor market? Working Paper.  Davis, CA:  California Education Lab, University of California, Davis. 

Grosz, M. (2017).The returns to a large community college program:  Evidence from admissions lotteries. Working Paper.  Davis, CA:  California Education Lab, University of California, Davis. 

Hurtt, A. (2018, April).  Academic rigor and English course-taking: A descriptive analysis of differential enrollment patterns. Paper presented at the American Educational Research Association, New York, NY.

Kurlaender, M., Reber, S., Smith, E., & Ugo, I. (forthcoming). Understanding gender gaps in college enrollment. (Working Paper). Davis, CA: California Education Lab, University of California, Davis.

Li, A. (2023). Remedial education reform in California and community college student outcomes. (Working Paper). Davis, CA: California Education Lab, University of California, Davis.

Naven, M. (2019). Human capital formation during childhood and adolescence: Evidence from school quality and postsecondary success in California (MPRA Paper 97716). Munich Personal RePEc Archive. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/286141526.pdf

Naven, M. (2020). Within-school heterogeneity in quality: Do schools provide equal value added to all students? (MPRA Paper 100123). Munich Personal RePEc Archive. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/322884139.pdf