David Houston
@dmhouston.bsky.social
Assistant Professor of Education Policy | George Mason University | Education Politics, Governance, and Public Opinion
Pinned
David Houston
@dmhouston.bsky.social
· Apr 1
I’m writing my first book!
“The Long Division: How the Politics of Education Became Partisan” is now officially under contract with Oxford University Press
I’m excited for this opportunity—although I’ve discovered that it can be a grim satisfaction when your research becomes relevant
(1/13)
“The Long Division: How the Politics of Education Became Partisan” is now officially under contract with Oxford University Press
I’m excited for this opportunity—although I’ve discovered that it can be a grim satisfaction when your research becomes relevant
(1/13)
Reposted by David Houston
New: I look at the surprisingly difficult question of how to rank different states' schools (inspired by @jerseyjazzman.bsky.social).
I also take a look at a new project summarizing education research on various topics.
And more in this Ideas roundup
cbnewsletters.chalkbeat.org/p/chalkbeat-...
I also take a look at a new project summarizing education research on various topics.
And more in this Ideas roundup
cbnewsletters.chalkbeat.org/p/chalkbeat-...
State rankings critiqued, more on the Southern surge, and education research for dummies
A Chalkbeat Ideas round up
cbnewsletters.chalkbeat.org
November 26, 2025 at 3:33 PM
New: I look at the surprisingly difficult question of how to rank different states' schools (inspired by @jerseyjazzman.bsky.social).
I also take a look at a new project summarizing education research on various topics.
And more in this Ideas roundup
cbnewsletters.chalkbeat.org/p/chalkbeat-...
I also take a look at a new project summarizing education research on various topics.
And more in this Ideas roundup
cbnewsletters.chalkbeat.org/p/chalkbeat-...
Reposted by David Houston
University students who were provided with a free gym card (in a randomized experiment) exercised more and had a significant improvement in academic performance. The treated students were also less likely to drop out of classes
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10....
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10....
University of Chicago Press Journals: Cookie absent
www.journals.uchicago.edu
November 24, 2025 at 9:23 PM
University students who were provided with a free gym card (in a randomized experiment) exercised more and had a significant improvement in academic performance. The treated students were also less likely to drop out of classes
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10....
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10....
Reposted by David Houston
I'm John Fallon, a labor economist on the job market. My JMP uncovers something wild: when chiropractors got licensed in the early 1900s, medical boards responded by making it HARDER to become a doctor.
Why would competition lead to stricter regulations?
🧵
john-fallon-econ.com
(1/9)
Why would competition lead to stricter regulations?
🧵
john-fallon-econ.com
(1/9)
November 24, 2025 at 8:37 PM
I'm John Fallon, a labor economist on the job market. My JMP uncovers something wild: when chiropractors got licensed in the early 1900s, medical boards responded by making it HARDER to become a doctor.
Why would competition lead to stricter regulations?
🧵
john-fallon-econ.com
(1/9)
Why would competition lead to stricter regulations?
🧵
john-fallon-econ.com
(1/9)
Reposted by David Houston
i'm not really a Star Wars person but I would 100% go to the webinar on sampling hard-to-reach planets
November 24, 2025 at 8:35 PM
i'm not really a Star Wars person but I would 100% go to the webinar on sampling hard-to-reach planets
That standards-based reform altered culture of schooling in a way that had consequences for kids' mental heath = interesting and not entirely implausible hypothesis that is profoundly difficult to test (and, contrary to the author, is relative well-trodden ground)
This article, however, ain't it
This article, however, ain't it
I don't think I've ever disagreed and agreed more strongly with a piece, seesawing from one paragraph to the next.
Will come back to dissect.
#GiftLink #GiftArticle
Will come back to dissect.
#GiftLink #GiftArticle
America’s Children Are Unwell. Are Schools Part of the Problem?
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:08 PM
That standards-based reform altered culture of schooling in a way that had consequences for kids' mental heath = interesting and not entirely implausible hypothesis that is profoundly difficult to test (and, contrary to the author, is relative well-trodden ground)
This article, however, ain't it
This article, however, ain't it
Reposted by David Houston
Recently accepted by #QJE, “Diversifying Society’s Leaders? The Determinants and Causal Effects of Admission to Highly Selective Private Colleges,” by Chetty (@Oppinsights), Deming, and Friedman: doi.org/10.1093/qje/...
Diversifying Society’s Leaders? The Determinants and Causal Effects of Admission to Highly Selective Private Colleges*
Abstract. We use anonymized admissions data from several colleges linked to income tax records and SAT and ACT test scores to study the determinants and ca
doi.org
November 23, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Recently accepted by #QJE, “Diversifying Society’s Leaders? The Determinants and Causal Effects of Admission to Highly Selective Private Colleges,” by Chetty (@Oppinsights), Deming, and Friedman: doi.org/10.1093/qje/...
Saving this for myself — nice, concise account of the intersection between ideology and partisan sorting
Let me try an alternative: America's political parties are very well sorted according to the basket of policy positions that political elites now label liberal and conservative. These include both materialist and postmaterialist positions labeled liberal and conservative. 1/2
November 22, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Saving this for myself — nice, concise account of the intersection between ideology and partisan sorting
Reposted by David Houston
Excited to share that I'm writing a book: a history of the debates over funding public schools from the 1960's to now.
(Yes the working title is tongue in cheek.)
Now I just need to finish writing—stay tuned!
And if you want to follow my work, you can do so here: www.chalkbeat.org/newsletters/...
(Yes the working title is tongue in cheek.)
Now I just need to finish writing—stay tuned!
And if you want to follow my work, you can do so here: www.chalkbeat.org/newsletters/...
November 21, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Excited to share that I'm writing a book: a history of the debates over funding public schools from the 1960's to now.
(Yes the working title is tongue in cheek.)
Now I just need to finish writing—stay tuned!
And if you want to follow my work, you can do so here: www.chalkbeat.org/newsletters/...
(Yes the working title is tongue in cheek.)
Now I just need to finish writing—stay tuned!
And if you want to follow my work, you can do so here: www.chalkbeat.org/newsletters/...
Reposted by David Houston
Forthcoming in AEJ: Applied Economics: "Early Grade Retention Harms Adult Earnings" by Jiee Zhong. www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=...
Early Grade Retention Harms Adult Earnings
(Forthcoming Article) - This paper provides new causal evidence on the effects of grade retention on educational
attainment, behavioral outcomes, and labor market performance by analyzing Texas’s read...
www.aeaweb.org
November 21, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Forthcoming in AEJ: Applied Economics: "Early Grade Retention Harms Adult Earnings" by Jiee Zhong. www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=...
Reposted by David Houston
📢 New postdoc opportunity at Annenberg!
The Annenberg Institute is seeking a postdoctoral research associate for a 2‐year appointment to join a diverse community of scholars committed to educational equity and improvement!
More info here: annenberg.brown.edu/opportunitie...
The Annenberg Institute is seeking a postdoctoral research associate for a 2‐year appointment to join a diverse community of scholars committed to educational equity and improvement!
More info here: annenberg.brown.edu/opportunitie...
November 18, 2025 at 6:40 PM
📢 New postdoc opportunity at Annenberg!
The Annenberg Institute is seeking a postdoctoral research associate for a 2‐year appointment to join a diverse community of scholars committed to educational equity and improvement!
More info here: annenberg.brown.edu/opportunitie...
The Annenberg Institute is seeking a postdoctoral research associate for a 2‐year appointment to join a diverse community of scholars committed to educational equity and improvement!
More info here: annenberg.brown.edu/opportunitie...
Reposted by David Houston
new paper by Sean Westwood:
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
November 18, 2025 at 7:16 PM
new paper by Sean Westwood:
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
Reposted by David Houston
periodic reminder of the existence of Atkinson Hyperlegible, a free font available from the Braille Institute designed to improve readability for people with low vision
I use it in talks because it's pretty and also because, as an audience member, I am perpetually squinting at people's slides
I use it in talks because it's pretty and also because, as an audience member, I am perpetually squinting at people's slides
Atkinson Hyperlegible Font - Braille Institute
Read easier with Atkinson Hyperlegible Font, crafted for low-vision readers. Download for free and enjoy clear letters and numbers on your computer!
www.brailleinstitute.org
November 17, 2025 at 4:19 AM
periodic reminder of the existence of Atkinson Hyperlegible, a free font available from the Braille Institute designed to improve readability for people with low vision
I use it in talks because it's pretty and also because, as an audience member, I am perpetually squinting at people's slides
I use it in talks because it's pretty and also because, as an audience member, I am perpetually squinting at people's slides
Reposted by David Houston
Update your syllabus and stay on the frontier - it will increase your students’ wages. Epic work by my colleagues @barbarabiasi.com and @profsongma.bsky.social #linkoftheday
www.barbarabiasi.com/uploads/1/0/...
www.barbarabiasi.com/uploads/1/0/...
November 15, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Update your syllabus and stay on the frontier - it will increase your students’ wages. Epic work by my colleagues @barbarabiasi.com and @profsongma.bsky.social #linkoftheday
www.barbarabiasi.com/uploads/1/0/...
www.barbarabiasi.com/uploads/1/0/...
Reposted by David Houston
Happy to say that the reading/teaching guide for Unequal Lessons is now live! It's chockful of prompts and resources for folks who are using the book in reading groups or classes.
You can find it on the NYU Press book page or access it directly here:
nyu.app.box.com/s/hcffzukiyq...
You can find it on the NYU Press book page or access it directly here:
nyu.app.box.com/s/hcffzukiyq...
Y'all, I'm pretty excited that @publisherswkly.bsky.social called my book "an urgent wake-up call" and "a must-read for educators!"
www.publishersweekly.com/9781479827817
Pre-order here and get a 30% discount using NYUAU30:
nyupress.org/978147982781...
www.publishersweekly.com/9781479827817
Pre-order here and get a 30% discount using NYUAU30:
nyupress.org/978147982781...
![Screenshot of Publishers Weekly review of Unequal Lessons reading: "Classroom diversity, specifically the integration of more white students into predominantly Black schools, does not lead to better outcomes for Black students, according to this disquieting debut study. Education scholar Freidus focuses on New York schools that, due to gentrification, are experiencing an influx of white students. Drawing on interviews and her own immersive ethnographic observations conducted over nearly six years, she finds that diversity and integration—especially via an increase in the proportion of white students—are treated by teachers, administrators, and parents as a de facto solution for racial inequality, and yet this is emphatically not the end result. Instead, Freidus observes that Black students’ experience of diversity entails a “hidden curriculum” that “reinforces deeply rooted [racial and class] assumptions about [them] and their families.” For instance, she notes several instances in which Black and white students with similar behavioral problems received disproportionate treatment, resulting partly from educators’ assumptions that the white student was more likely to be from a good family. At the same time, diversity does offer benefits for students—mostly in terms of enrichment, or new experiences—but as Freidus persuasively demonstrates, solving inequality is not one of them. This urgent wake-up call is a must-read for educators. (Aug.)"](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7js3r4xdyhiics6bsegplyvq/bafkreih2z6ytyvi2sqof2vbgwfu4sqf2hy6gsrpwzsv52gv5kpqzyd64ci@jpeg)
November 12, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Happy to say that the reading/teaching guide for Unequal Lessons is now live! It's chockful of prompts and resources for folks who are using the book in reading groups or classes.
You can find it on the NYU Press book page or access it directly here:
nyu.app.box.com/s/hcffzukiyq...
You can find it on the NYU Press book page or access it directly here:
nyu.app.box.com/s/hcffzukiyq...
Reposted by David Houston
Short answer: yes, but only a bit.
We’re still fighting about pandemic-era school closures — but do they still matter?
Short answer: yes, but only a bit.
bit.ly
November 13, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Short answer: yes, but only a bit.
Reposted by David Houston
I know that the job market is rough this year for Econ PhDs. @utoronto.ca has expanded its postdoc funding. If you are on the market and work on school finance or early childhood education and are interested in a PostDoc, let me know! #econsky #educsky postdoc.sgs.utoronto.ca/current-post...
Postdoctoral Talent Initiative – School of Graduate Studies Postdoctoral Fellows
postdoc.sgs.utoronto.ca
November 13, 2025 at 11:53 PM
I know that the job market is rough this year for Econ PhDs. @utoronto.ca has expanded its postdoc funding. If you are on the market and work on school finance or early childhood education and are interested in a PostDoc, let me know! #econsky #educsky postdoc.sgs.utoronto.ca/current-post...
Reposted by David Houston
How do administrative designs shape access to democracy? We analyze U.S. school district websites and meetings to show how bureaucracy and group mobilization facilitate access to school board info and the democratic process. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... @jonathanecollins.bsky.social
Administrative Designs and Access to Political Arenas in Public Education
What administrative and political features render spaces of political action publicly accessible? Drawing on Schattschneider's core elements of visibility and scope, we offer a framework to identify ...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:43 PM
How do administrative designs shape access to democracy? We analyze U.S. school district websites and meetings to show how bureaucracy and group mobilization facilitate access to school board info and the democratic process. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... @jonathanecollins.bsky.social
Reposted by David Houston
Here's my thread of this year's new scholars in Economics of Education and Education Policy.
These PhD students and postdocs are on the job market, so take a look (and spread the word to others who might benefit from exposure).
And now onto the scholars... 👇
These PhD students and postdocs are on the job market, so take a look (and spread the word to others who might benefit from exposure).
And now onto the scholars... 👇
November 12, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Here's my thread of this year's new scholars in Economics of Education and Education Policy.
These PhD students and postdocs are on the job market, so take a look (and spread the word to others who might benefit from exposure).
And now onto the scholars... 👇
These PhD students and postdocs are on the job market, so take a look (and spread the word to others who might benefit from exposure).
And now onto the scholars... 👇
Reposted by David Houston
Popular discourse attributes falling college enrollments to the rising cost of four-year college.
That story is wrong in multiple ways, as @mattbarnum.bsky.social points out in his latest roundup of the evidence (citing a new working paper of ours):
www.chalkbeat.org/2025/11/11/i...
That story is wrong in multiple ways, as @mattbarnum.bsky.social points out in his latest roundup of the evidence (citing a new working paper of ours):
www.chalkbeat.org/2025/11/11/i...
Is college enrollment plummeting?
Reports of the death of the bachelor’s degree have been greatly exaggerated.
www.chalkbeat.org
November 12, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Popular discourse attributes falling college enrollments to the rising cost of four-year college.
That story is wrong in multiple ways, as @mattbarnum.bsky.social points out in his latest roundup of the evidence (citing a new working paper of ours):
www.chalkbeat.org/2025/11/11/i...
That story is wrong in multiple ways, as @mattbarnum.bsky.social points out in his latest roundup of the evidence (citing a new working paper of ours):
www.chalkbeat.org/2025/11/11/i...
Reposted by David Houston
It’s an honor to serve as Chair of the Board for the @dqcdata.bsky.social as we celebrate 20 years of making data work for policymakers, families, and communities.
Hear my and other leaders' thoughts about the continued importance of DQC's work here: dataqualitycampaign.org/about/twenty...
Hear my and other leaders' thoughts about the continued importance of DQC's work here: dataqualitycampaign.org/about/twenty...
Twenty Years of DQC - Data Quality Campaign
Twenty Years of DQC For two decades, the Data Quality Campaign has been the preeminent voice advocating for transforming the role of data to ensure that people can make education and workforce decisio...
dataqualitycampaign.org
October 28, 2025 at 4:12 PM
It’s an honor to serve as Chair of the Board for the @dqcdata.bsky.social as we celebrate 20 years of making data work for policymakers, families, and communities.
Hear my and other leaders' thoughts about the continued importance of DQC's work here: dataqualitycampaign.org/about/twenty...
Hear my and other leaders' thoughts about the continued importance of DQC's work here: dataqualitycampaign.org/about/twenty...
Reposted by David Houston
5 years post-pandemic, Massachusetts public schools have seen sustained enrollment declines. Is this a temporary disruption, or did the pandemic change how families evaluate schools?
@joshua-goodman.com, Abigail Francis, & James Wyckoff will dig into the data with Susanna Loeb.
buff.ly/dByipCW
@joshua-goodman.com, Abigail Francis, & James Wyckoff will dig into the data with Susanna Loeb.
buff.ly/dByipCW
November 11, 2025 at 2:02 PM
5 years post-pandemic, Massachusetts public schools have seen sustained enrollment declines. Is this a temporary disruption, or did the pandemic change how families evaluate schools?
@joshua-goodman.com, Abigail Francis, & James Wyckoff will dig into the data with Susanna Loeb.
buff.ly/dByipCW
@joshua-goodman.com, Abigail Francis, & James Wyckoff will dig into the data with Susanna Loeb.
buff.ly/dByipCW
Are you a political scientist who studies/teaches education policy? Read this. Use it to improve your syllabi.
Are you an education researcher who studies/teaches politics? Read this. Use it to improve your syllabi.
Are you an education researcher who studies/teaches politics? Read this. Use it to improve your syllabi.
@camarnzen.bsky.social and @chloeoneill.bsky.social explore how political science courses can better integrate education politics into the curriculum in “Teaching About Schooling: Integrating Education Politics into Political Science Curricula.”
🔗 doi.org/10.1080/1551...
🔗 doi.org/10.1080/1551...
Browse all journals
Browse all journals
doi.org
November 10, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Are you a political scientist who studies/teaches education policy? Read this. Use it to improve your syllabi.
Are you an education researcher who studies/teaches politics? Read this. Use it to improve your syllabi.
Are you an education researcher who studies/teaches politics? Read this. Use it to improve your syllabi.
Reposted by David Houston
@camarnzen.bsky.social and @chloeoneill.bsky.social explore how political science courses can better integrate education politics into the curriculum in “Teaching About Schooling: Integrating Education Politics into Political Science Curricula.”
🔗 doi.org/10.1080/1551...
🔗 doi.org/10.1080/1551...
Browse all journals
Browse all journals
doi.org
November 10, 2025 at 2:15 PM
@camarnzen.bsky.social and @chloeoneill.bsky.social explore how political science courses can better integrate education politics into the curriculum in “Teaching About Schooling: Integrating Education Politics into Political Science Curricula.”
🔗 doi.org/10.1080/1551...
🔗 doi.org/10.1080/1551...
Reposted by David Houston
📣 New NBER Working Paper out today 📣
"The Consequences of Faculty Sexual Misconduct"
Sarah Cohodes & Katherine Leu
"The Consequences of Faculty Sexual Misconduct"
Sarah Cohodes & Katherine Leu
November 10, 2025 at 1:49 PM
📣 New NBER Working Paper out today 📣
"The Consequences of Faculty Sexual Misconduct"
Sarah Cohodes & Katherine Leu
"The Consequences of Faculty Sexual Misconduct"
Sarah Cohodes & Katherine Leu
Reposted by David Houston
sometimes an Oxford comma can make all the difference
November 8, 2025 at 12:36 PM
sometimes an Oxford comma can make all the difference