Lisa Berdie

Assistant Policy Researcher, RAND; Ph.D. Student, Pardee RAND Graduate School

Santa Monica Office

Education

B.A. in development studies, Brown University

One Page Bio

Overview

Lisa Berdie (she/her) is a Ph.D. student in the Community-Partnered Policy and Action stream at the Pardee RAND Graduate School and an assistant policy researcher at RAND. Her research focuses on policies that support children and families, and includes work on education, workforce and labor, social safety net programs, and economic mobility.

Prior to joining RAND, she worked as vice president of policy and research at A+ Colorado where she studied the impact of K-12 education policies including school accountability, school finance, teacher compensation, and unified public school enrollment. Previous research experience also includes projects on high school students’ decisionmaking about their postsecondary options; and how large organizations create collaborative workplace cultures. She holds a B.A. in development studies from Brown University.

Research Focus

Publications

Research Brief
Food Insecurity in the U.S. Military: Responses to Eight Topics Raised by Congress
In response to a congressional query, RAND researchers examined the extent of food insecurity among military service members, their participation in food assistance programs, and the advisability of a basic needs allowance.
Jan 3, 2023
Report
Food Insecurity Among Members of the Armed Forces and Their Dependents
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 directed the Secretary of Defense to report on food insecurity among service members and their dependents. RAND researchers examined this directive and recommended other topics for analysis.
Jan 3, 2023
Report
Evaluation of Flexible Spending Accounts for Active-Duty Service Members
This report presents an analysis of the implications of flexible spending accounts for active-duty service members and their families that would allow pre-tax payment of dependent care expenses, insurance premiums, and out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Dec 12, 2022
Report
Prioritizing Strategies to Racially Diversify the K–12 Teacher Workforce: Findings from the State of the American Teacher and State of the American Principal Surveys
The authors of this report surveyed and interviewed teachers and convened a panel of education policymakers to identify policies and strategies that could help racially diversify the teacher workforce in the United States.
Sep 20, 2022
Report
National Guard Youth ChalleNGe: Program Progress in 2020–2021
The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program serves young people experiencing difficulty in traditional high school. This report documents program trends in 2020–2021 and presents analyses on the Job ChalleNGe program.

Aug 22, 2022
Report
Walking a Fine Line—Educators' Views on Politicized Topics in Schooling: Findings from the State of the American Teacher and State of the American Principal Surveys
Using nationally representative survey data, the authors analyze educators' views on two politicized issues—COVID-19 mitigation policies and teaching about race, racism, or bias—to better understand the consequences of politicization in schools.
Aug 10, 2022
Report
Restoring Teacher and Principal Well-Being Is an Essential Step for Rebuilding Schools: Findings from the State of the American Teacher and State of the American Principal Surveys
Researchers present selected findings on teacher and principal well-being, working conditions, and intentions to leave their jobs from the 2022 State of the American Teacher and State of the American Principal surveys.
Jun 15, 2022
Visualization
American School District Panel Winter 2021 COVID-19 Survey
A total of 434 district leaders from school districts and charter management organizations (CMOs) took the second survey of the American School District Panel between January 21 and March 5, 2021. This tool presents weighted survey results that are nationally representative of school districts in the United States.
May 11, 2021
Report
Urban and Rural Districts Showed a Strong Divide During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from the Second American School District Panel Survey
This report includes results from the second survey of district leaders by the RAND Corporation's American School District Panel. The survey covered 2020-2021 school year instruction, COVID-19 testing and vaccines, enrollments, budget, and staffing.
May 11, 2021