Ron Zimmer

Associate Professor of Public Policy and Education, Dept. of Leadership, Policy & Organizations

Ron Zimmer is an Associate Professor of Public Policy and Education in the Peabody College at Vanderbilt University and is currently serving as co editor of Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis and editorial board member of Economics of Education Review. Prior to coming to Vanderbilt University, Dr. Zimmer was a faculty member at Michigan State University and spent a number years at the RAND Corporation.

Dr. Zimmer's research focuses on school choice and school finance which has led to a number of scholarly articles, book chapters, and monographs. Much of this research has been funded by an array of foundations, state governments, and the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). The findings from some of this research have been highlighted in major media outlets including the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Education Week, and CNN. In addition, Dr. Zimmer has also briefed some of his findings to congressional staffers and Tennessee Governor Bill Haslem. Currently, Dr. Zimmer co-leading an evaluation of the impact Chicago’s charter schools are having on long-term educational attainment.

Media Mentions

Philadelphia Inquire: KIPP students show major improvement, study finds

Education Week: KIPP Schools Boost Academic Performance, Study Finds

Education Week: Taking a Deeper Look at Charters' Discipline Policies

Wisconsin Reporter - Walker’s school choice plan could spark another Act 10-style battle

WPLN News (Nashville): Task Force Frames Sticky Debate Over School Vouchers

The Tennessean: Voucher Formula Isn't Nailed Down by Task Force

Working Papers

Choice in a World of New School Types
http://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/docs/pdf/faculty/JPAM_resubmit_version_21313.pdf

Is There Empirical Evidence Consistent with the Claim that Charter Schools "Push Out" Low-Performing Students?
http://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/docs/pdf/faculty/Zimmer_and_Guarino_Charter_School_Push_Out_Paper_NEW.pdf

Charter School Authorizers and Student Achievement
http://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/docs/pdf/faculty/charter_authorizer_working_paper.pdf

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