John Engberg

Photo of John Engberg
Senior Economist
Pittsburgh Office

Education

Ph.D., M.S. in economics, University of Wisconsin–Madison; B.A. in economics, Harvard University

Media Resources

This researcher is available for interviews.

To arrange an interview, contact the RAND Office of Media Relations at (310) 451-6913, or email media@rand.org.

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Overview

John Engberg is a senior economist at the RAND Corporation. He specializes in applied statistical methods and microeconomics. Engberg's research spans the areas of education, health, labor markets, economic development, and crime. One theme that connects much of this work is the analysis of data that contain temporal and spatial dependencies; his evaluation of the impact of state enterprise zone programs on local housing and labor markets and his analysis of public school teachers' collective bargaining contracts exemplify this.

Engberg's ongoing projects include an evaluation of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's Intensive Partnership for Effective Teaching Initiative, a research study of the Wallace Foundation's Partnerships for Social and Emotional Learning Initiative, and two randomized control trials of education programs. These RCTs include evaluations of a restorative practices K-12 behavioral program and a new method for screening applicants for an advanced manufacturing training program delivered by a community college.  

Prior to joining RAND, Engberg was an associate professor of economics at the Heinz School of Public Policy and Management at Carnegie Mellon University. He also served as the research director of the Carnegie Mellon Census Data Research Center, one of only a few places in the United States where researchers can obtain access to confidential census data. 

Engberg earned his Ph.D. in labor economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Research Focus

Previous Positions

Associate Professor of Economics, Heinz School of Public Policy and Management, Carnegie Mellon University; Research Director, Carnegie Mellon Census Research Data Center

Recent Projects

  • Urban education reorganization and reform
  • Caregiver turnover and quality of care in nursing homes and home care
  • Human resources innovations for effective teaching
  • Evaluation of the New York City Community School Initiative
  • Evaluation of Restorative Practices in Pittsburgh Public Schools

Selected Publications

Augustine, CH, Engberg J, Grimm GE, Lee E, Wang EL, Christianson K, and Joseph AA. , Can Restorative Practices Improve School Climate and Curb Suspensions? An Evaluation of the Impact of Restorative Practices in a Mid-Sized Urban School District. , RAND (RR-2840), 2018

Hong K, Zimmer R, Engberg J., "How Does Grade Configuration Impact Student Achievement in Elementary and Middle School Grades?" Journal of Urban Economics, 105, 2018

Ray KN, Chari AV, Engberg J, Bertolet M, Mehrotra A. , "Disparities in Time Spent Seeking Medical Care in the United States," JAMA Internal Medicine , 175(12), 2015

Engberg J, Epple D, Imbrogno J, Sieg H, Zimmer R, "Evaluating Education Programs That Have Lotteried Admission and Selective Attrition," Journal of Labor Economics, 32(1), 2013

Engberg J, Gill B, Zamarro G, Zimmer R, "Closing Schools in a Shrinking District: Do Student Outcomes Depend on Which Schools are Closed?" Journal of Urban Economics, (1), 2012

Engberg J, Morral A, "Reducing Substance Use Improves Adolescents’ School Attendance," Addiction, (101), 2006

Babcock L, Engberg J, Greenbaum R, "Wage Spillovers in Public Sector Contract Negotiations: The Importance of Social Comparisons," Regional Science and Urban Economics, 35(4), 2005

Greenbaum R, Engberg J, "The Impact of State Enterprise Zones on Urban Manufacturing Establishments," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 23(2), 2004

Recent Media Appearances

Interviews: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Commentary: Education Week

Commentary

  • Teacher helps students resolve conflict, photo by SDI Productions/Getty Images

    Restorative Justice Isn't a Panacea, but It Can Promote Better Relationships Among Students

    Restorative practices aren't necessarily a cure-all. But if implemented well, they can contribute to an overall solution. Teaching children to treat one another with respect has the potential to make schools safer and to help kids get along better throughout their lives.

    Oct 21, 2019 The Hechinger Report

  • Students and a counselor sit in a circle, photo by Steve Debenport/Getty Images

    What Two New Studies Reveal About Restorative Justice in Middle School and How It Can Be Done Better

    There are many nuances to the implementation and impact of restorative practices. This suggests that continued experimentation could allow school districts to realize the benefits of instituting these practices and reduce the cost of doing so.

    Apr 17, 2019 The 74 Million

  • Students having discussion

    The Impact of Restorative Practices

    A recent RAND report focuses on estimates of the impact of restorative practices on comprehensive outcome measures for all students. The report defines these measures in seven outcome domains and leads with the impact on suspensions. It estimates the impact on 50 secondary measures and on the seven primary measures for numerous student subgroups defined by race, income, special needs and English language learner status.

    Jan 17, 2019 The RAND Blog

  • Grade school students working at their desks in a classroom

    Pittsburgh Schools Are Making Progress

    Pittsburgh Public Schools can reach new levels of excellence if its leadership boldly and wisely chooses initiatives that will serve all children and if it uses data to decide which initiatives should continue.

    Jul 11, 2016 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

  • A young student sitting outside in a school corridor

    Rethinking Student Discipline and Zero Tolerance

    Restorative practices are an alternative to zero-tolerance school discipline policies. Rather than mandating prescribed punishments for specific misbehaviors, this more tailored approach aims to empower students.

    Oct 14, 2015 Education Week

  • A teacher talking to a student at his desk

    Flexibility Is Key in Administration's Call for Teacher Equity Plans

    Metrics like teacher experience and licensure reveal little about teachers' impact on student learning. The focus should be on disadvantaged students' access to effective teachers.

    Aug 22, 2014 The RAND Blog

  • A principal talking to a student and his parent in her office

    School Principals Respond to Performance-Based Evaluation System

    It's fair to say the program turned out to be an important step for the district in the context of its overall reform plan considering how important high-quality school leadership is for improving teaching and learning, write Laura Hamilton and John Engberg.

    Aug 15, 2012 The RAND Blog

Publications