Ron Zimmer

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Adjunct
Off Site Office

Education

Ph.D. in public policy, Martin School of Public Policy, University of Kentucky; M.S. in economics, University of Kentucky; B.S. in economics and business, Illinois Wesleyan University

Overview

Biography

Ron Zimmer is a policy analyst at the RAND Corporation. His research focuses on educational finance and school choice, areas in which he has published numerous articles and reports. Zimmer recently led a team of researchers that examined California charter schools; is currently leading two other projects examining California nonclassroom-based charter schools and the competitive effects of charter schools; and is also working on evaluations of the for-profit Edison schools and comprehensive school reform models. Zimmer received his Ph.D. in public policy from the Martin School of Public Policy, University of Kentucky.

Recent Projects

  • Examination of charter schools
  • Edison schools
  • The effects of No Child Left Behind

Selected Publications

Brian Gill et al., State Takeover, School Restructuring, Private Management, and Student Achievement in Philadelphia, RAND Corporation, 2007

Ron Zimmer et al., Evaluation of Two Out-of-School Programs in Pittsburgh Public Schools: No Child Left Behind's Supplemental Educational Services and State of Pennsylvania's Educational Assistance Program, RAND Corporation, 2006

Ron Zimmer and Richard Buddin, Making Sense of Charter Schools: Evidence from California, RAND Corporation, 2006

Richard Buddin and Ron Zimmer, "A Closer Look at Charter School Student Achievement," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 24(2), 2005

Ron Zimmer and John Jones, "The Impact of Michigan's Move Towards Centralized Funding on Local Bond Referenda," Southern Economic Journal, 71(3), 2005

Education

Biography

Ron Zimmer is an Associate Professor of Public Policy and Education in the Peabody College at Vanderbilt University and is currently serving as an associate editor 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. Zimmers 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. Currently, Dr. Zimmer is co-leading an IES funded study of reform efforts and programs in a major urban district. He is also co-leading an evaluation of the impact Chicagos charter schools are having on long-term educational attainment.

Recent Projects

  • Charter Schools in Eight States
  • Evaluation of Reforms in an Urban District
  • Research Methods
  • Chicago Charter Schools

Selected Publications

Ron Zimmer, Brian Gill, Kevin Booker, Stephane Lavertu, Tim Sass, and John Witte, Charter Schools in Eight States: Effects on Achievement, Attainment, Integration, and Competition, RAND (MG-869), 2009

Richard Buddin and Ron Zimmer, "Is Charter School Competition in California Improving the Performance of Traditional Public Schools?" Public Administration Review, 2009

Ron Zimmer and Richard Buddin, "Charter School Performance in Urban Districts," Journal of Urban Economics, 2006

Richard Buddin and Ron Zimmer, "A Closer Look at Charter School Student Achievement," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 2005

Ron Zimmer and John Jones, "The Impact of Michigan's Move Towards Centralized Funding on Local Bond Referenda," Southern Economic Journal, 2005

Ron Zimmer, "A New Twist in the Tracking Debate," Economics of Education Review, 2003

Ron Zimmer and Eugenia F. Toma, "Peer Effects in Private and Public Schools," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 2000

Kevin Booker, Tim Sass, Brian Gill, and Ron Zimmer, "The Effects of Charter High Schools on Educational Attainment," Fortcoming Journal of Labor Economics

Honors & Awards

  • AEFA/NCES New Scholar Award, National Center for Education Statistics

Commentary

Navigating Research on Alternative Schools — Sep 19, 2004

  • San Diego Union-Tribune

Publications

My RAND ?

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