Charles A. Goldman

Senior Economist; Professor, Pardee RAND Graduate School

Santa Monica Office

Education

Ph.D. in economic analysis and policy, Graduate School of Business, Stanford University; S.B. in computer science and engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

One Page Bio

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

Charles A. Goldman (he/him) is a senior economist at the RAND Corporation and a professor of economics at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. He specializes in the economics of education, skills and workforce needs, military personnel policy, strategic planning, and organization and performance of schools, universities, and systems. He has recently examined barriers to attracting talent and diversity to public sector organizations so that their workforce can reflect the communities they serve. He has conducted projects in Texas and Pennsylvania to improve postsecondary education governance structures and align them to meeting workforce needs. He analyzes the value and organization of professional military education, military members’ transitions from active duty to the civilian labor market, and their use of consumer financial products.

Goldman has studied policy and implementation of various levels of education in the United States, Australia, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. He is conducting a process and outcomes evaluation of a long-term effort to deliver American engineering bachelor’s degrees in the country of Georgia. One of his main research themes is measuring performance in postsecondary education at the institution and system levels. Building on that work, he develops national and international university ranking and benchmarking systems and sits on the advisory board of the Shanghai Academic Rankings of World Universities.

Goldman earned his Ph.D. in economic analysis and policy from Stanford University and held a postdoctoral fellowship in the Stanford School of Education. He earned his S.B. in computer science and engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Research Focus

Pardee RAND Graduate School Courses

Workshop on Quantitative Methods and Education

Recent Projects

Addressing barriers to talent and diversity in Southern California region public sector careers
Evaluating American delivery of STEM higher education in the country of Georgia
Sustaining Pennsylvania's public universities
Veteran transitions to civilian employment
Meeting workforce needs for Australia's naval shipbuilding plan

Selected Publications

Goldman, Charles A., Tepring Piquado, J. Luke Irwin, Daniel Allen, Ying Zhou, and Sung Ho Ryu, Recruiting and Hiring a Diverse and Talented Public Sector Workforce, RAND Corporation (RR-A1255-1), 2021

Goldman, Charles A., Jeremy Boback, Robert Bozick, and Drew M. Anderson, Navigating a Big Transition: Military Service Members' Earnings and Employment After Active-Duty Service, RAND Corporation (RR-A361-1), 2021

Goldman, Charles A., Rita T. Karam, Mark Stalczynski, and Katheryn Giglio, Promoting the Long-Term Sustainability and Viability of Universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, RAND Corporation (RR-2486-PLBFC), 2018

Karam, Rita T., Charles A. Goldman, Daniel Basco, and Diana Gehlhaus, Managing the Expansion of Graduate Education in Texas, RAND Corporation (RR-1899-CFAT), 2017

Goldman, Charles A., Lindsay Butterfield, Diana Catherine Lavery, Trey Miller, Lindsay Daugherty, Trinidad Beleche, and Bing Han, Using Workforce Information for Degree Program Planning in Texas, RAND Corporation (RR-1011-CFAT), 2015

Gonzalez, Gabriella C., Lynn A. Karoly, Louay Constant, Hanine Salem, and Charles A. Goldman, Facing Human Capital Challenges of the 21st Century: Education and Labor Market Initiatives in Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, RAND Corporation (MG-786-RC), 2008

Dominic J. Brewer, Susan M. Gates, and Charles A. Goldman, In Pursuit of Prestige: Strategy and Competition in U.S. Higher Education, Transaction Publishers, 2002

Charles A. Goldman and William F. Massy, The PhD Factory: Training and Employment of Science and Engineering Doctorates in the United States, Anker Publishing, 2001

Recent Media Appearances

Interviews: Associated Press; Atlantic Monthly; GovLove; Korea Times; Reno-Gazette Journal

Commentary

Postsecondary Education

College in America Could Be Changed Forever
COVID-19 is threatening to upend the models that both public and private higher education depend on in the United States. As universities consider whether to postpone in-person classes until next year, many parents and students may be questioning the value of a traditional higher education.
Jul 7, 2020
CNN
Postsecondary Education

Coronavirus Forces Colleges Online. Will Learning Ever Be the Same?
Colleges and universities have turned to online courses to help slow the spread of COVID-19. But distance learning may also hold promise as a long-term strategy to help make higher education more accessible and affordable.
Mar 16, 2020
Fox News Channel
Postsecondary Education

Federal Policy Might Encourage Innovation to Cut the Cost of College
A big factor in the rise of college costs is the traditional seat-time model requiring undergraduate students to spend a specified amount of time in classrooms, frequently with doctorally qualified faculty. But there are alternative models that could enable colleges and universities to offer degrees more efficiently and affordably.
Jun 5, 2019
The RAND Blog
College-Bound Students

National Database Could Help Students Pick College—and Income
A bill introduced in May would create a searchable database of students' college majors and earnings after graduation. The data could help U.S. students make informed decisions and could also be used to better allocate resources that benefit students.
Aug 1, 2017
RealClearEducation
Private-Sector School Management

How to Navigate Public-Private Partnerships in Higher Ed
Universities are partnering with private companies that have the resources to help them compete in the online learning market and maximize student enrollment. Do their different missions—providing high-quality education and making a profit—dilute the quality of the courses?
May 26, 2017
RealClearEducation
Educational Equity

Preserving Access and Quality in an Era of Rising University Tuition Fees
Many countries have long traditions of full or partial government funding for higher education, but as they struggle with fiscal pressures, they seek ways to shift costs to users. Implementing greater cost sharing without coherent policies to mitigate its impact on students and institutions threatens to worsen both student access and institutional quality.
Sep 28, 2012
wise-qatar.org

Publications

Report
Educating for Evolving Operational Domains: Cyber and Information Education in the Department of Defense and the Role of the College of Information and Cyberspace
This report examines how Department of Defense educational institutions are addressing cyberspace and information education, the potential demand for this education, and how the College of Information and Cyberspace can contribute.
Nov 17, 2022
Report
Among Black Americans, Is Military Service Associated with Better Quality of Life?
RAND researchers examined the ways in which military service might be correlated with certain health, economic, and social outcomes for Black Americans and explored several factors that could be meaningful to their health and well-being.
Nov 9, 2022
Report
Career Services and College-Employer Partnership Practices in Community Colleges: Colleges in California, Ohio, and Texas
In this report, the authors systemically examine the type of career services and college-employer partnership practices across three states -- California, Ohio, and Texas -- and a sample of community colleges that operate within them.
Jul 6, 2022
Report
Developing Strategic Plans for Defense Human Resource Management: Case Study of Planning in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
The authors identified a set of principles to aid leaders of public sector organizations, particularly those charged with the management of defense human resources, in developing and implementing sound strategic plans to focus and guide activities.
Jan 18, 2022
Report
Recruiting and Hiring a Diverse and Talented Public Sector Workforce
This report identifies promising strategies that public-sector agencies, colleges and universities, and community organizations can pursue to increase the flow of talented and underrepresented workers into public-sector careers.
Nov 16, 2021
Report
Navigating a Big Transition: Military Service Members' Earnings and Employment After Active-Duty Service
The authors examined the relationship among enlisted service members' military occupations, personal characteristics, and civilian employment outcomes over the first three years after they separated from active duty.
Nov 10, 2021
Report
Making the Grade: Integration of Joint Professional Military Education and Talent Management in Developing Joint Officers
The authors examine how joint educational institutions and stakeholders and the military services can support a transition to joint professional military education using the outcomes expected of graduates rather than traditional learning processes.
May 26, 2021
Report
Georgia II STEM Higher Education Interim Evaluation Report
The authors evaluate the implementation of a San Diego State University partnership with three universities in the country of Georgia, part of a U.S.-Georgia collaboration to improve university education in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Jan 5, 2021
Report
Air Force Nonrated Technical Training: Selected Topics to Improve Efficiency
The authors identify insights relevant to Air Force technical training from how colleges and universities size their instructor corps, best practices associated with supply chain management, and approaches for developing a flexible instructor pool.
Jun 29, 2020
Journal Article
Evaluation Design Options Report: Veterans' Employment and Training Services (VETS) Research Study Design
This report presents multiple evaluation design options to address questions specified in specified in a Congressionally-mandated Department of Labor longitudinal study of job counseling, training, and placement service for veterans.
Apr 17, 2019
Journal Article
Knowledge Development Report: Veterans' Employment and Training Services (VETS) Research Study Design
This report presents information needed to design an evaluation that can address questions specified in a Congressionally-mandated Department of Labor longitudinal study of job counseling, training, and placement service for veterans.
Apr 17, 2019
Journal Article
Georgia II STEM Higher Education Evaluation Design Report (Revised)
U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation is funding a higher education partnership in the country of Georgia. This report delineates the evaluation design and approach that will be used for evaluating the successes and challenges of this effort.
2019
Testimony
Five Options for Long-Term Sustainability and Viability of Pennsylvania's State System Universities
Testimony presented before the Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee on April 25, 2018, and the Pennsylvania House and Senate Education Committees on April 30, 2018.
Apr 25, 2018
Report
Promoting the Long-Term Sustainability and Viability of Universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
This report identifies five options that would improve the long-term sustainability and viability of the universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education in the coming years.
Apr 25, 2018
Journal Article
Pursuing Excellence in Graduate Education and Research While Serving Regional Development
This chapter examines policies that Texas can use to encourage institutions to pursue excellence in graduate education and research, while meeting state labour market needs.
2018
Journal Article
Using Workforce Data to Plan Higher Education Degree Programs
In this chapter, we summarize some findings and lessons from a series of projects for the state of Texas to help improve the alignment of higher education degree programs and workforce needs.
2018
Report
Process and Outcome Evaluation of the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program
Presents the results of a process and outcome evaluation of the California Energy Commission's Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, relying on quantitative and qualitative methods.
Sep 6, 2017
Report
Geographic and Demographic Representativeness of the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps
This report examines the representativeness of the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program at the school level with respect to geography and demographics and determines how federal laws and policies affect JROTC units.
Aug 10, 2017
Report
Managing the Expansion of Graduate Education in Texas
RAND researchers analyzed policies and practices that the state, higher education systems, and individual higher education institutions in Texas can use to manage the expansion of their master's, doctoral, and professional programs.
Mar 3, 2017
Report
Managing the Expansion of Graduate Education in Texas: Executive Summary
RAND researchers analyzed policies and practices that the state, higher education systems, and individual higher education institutions in Texas can use to manage the expansion of their master's, doctoral, and professional programs.
Mar 3, 2017
Report
Options for Educating Students Attending Department of Defense Schools in the United States
The Department of Defense Education Activity operates or contracts with local agencies to operate schools on 15 contiguous U.S. installations. This report evaluates the options for educating military-connected children on these installations.
Sep 13, 2016
Report
Getting the Most Out of University Strategic Planning: Essential Guidance for Success and Obstacles to Avoid
Higher education institutions exist in a competitive marketplace. Strategic planning can help them maintain stability and respond constructively to external threats. We identify factors that promote or impede planning process success.
Jun 15, 2015
Research Brief
Planning for Higher Education Programs: Effectively Using Data and Modeling to Understand Workforce Needs
Workforce data sources provide valuable information, though no source should be used on its own. The information should be used to manage new and ongoing degree programs and for periodic strategic planning.
Apr 23, 2015
Report
Using Workforce Information for Degree Program Planning in Texas
This report describes current practices in using workforce information for degree program planning, analyzes options for using workforce information, recommends promising practices, describes new data tools, and applies these tools.
Feb 11, 2015
Report
Assessing the Potential to Expand Community College Baccalaureate Programs in Texas
Considers potential benefits and drawbacks of expanding community college baccalaureate degree programs in Texas, including current unmet workforce-development needs in nursing and several applied sciences occupations.
Aug 28, 2014
Report
Assessing the Potential to Expand Community College Baccalaureate Programs in Texas: Executive Summary
Summarizes a report on the potential benefits and drawbacks of expanding community college baccalaureate degree programs in Texas, including current unmet workforce-development needs in nursing and several applied sciences occupations.
Aug 28, 2014
Journal Article
How Effective Are Different Approaches to Higher Education Provision in Increasing Access, Quality and Completion for Students in Developing Countries? Does This Differ by Gender of Students?
How to effectively increase access to and quality in higher education in developing countries is a highly debated topic.
Aug 1, 2013
Journal Article
Qatar
This chapter focuses on Qatar's education system, describing the laws and policies under which both public and non-public schools operate.
2013
Journal Article
Developing a Higher Education Ranking System for Abu Dhabi
We document the development of Abu Dhabi's first standardized higher education ranking and benchmarking system, covering 17 institutions by broad academic field.
Oct 1, 2012
Report
K-12 Education Reform in Qatar
Examines the progress that Qatar has made in implementing a comprehensive reform, begun in 2002, of its K-12 education system.
Jun 21, 2011
Journal Article
Promoting Quality and Variety Through the Public Financing of Privately Operated Schools in Qatar
Qatar began establishing publicly funded, privately operated "independent schools" in parallel with the existing Ministry of Education system in 2002.
2010
Research Brief
Qatar's K–12 Education Reform Has Achieved Success in Its Early Years
Describes RAND's evaluation of the progress made in the first years of Qatar's K-12 education reform.
Aug 25, 2009
Research Brief
Qatar's K-12 Education Reform Has Achieved Success in Its Early Years (Arabic version)
Describes RAND's evaluation of the progress made in the first years of Qatar's K-12 education reform.
Aug 25, 2009
Report
Implementation of the K-12 Education Reform in Qatar's Schools
RAND's analysis of the early years of Qatar's system-wide K-12 education reform finds that students in new, Independent schools perform better than those in Ministry schools, but most are still not meeting the new, higher curriculum standards.
Aug 25, 2009
Research Brief
Lessons Learned from Developing and Implementing the Qatar Student Assessment System (Arabic version)
This research brief summarizes the development of a standards-based student assessment system in Qatar, lessons for policymakers in Qatar and elsewhere, and challenges in aligning the assessment with future changes in the curriculum standards.
Jul 29, 2009
Research Brief
Lessons Learned from Developing and Implementing the Qatar Student Assessment System
This research brief summarizes the development of a standards-based student assessment system in Qatar, lessons for policymakers in Qatar and elsewhere, and challenges in aligning the assessment with future changes in the curriculum standards.
Jul 1, 2009
Research Brief
Improving Finance for Qatari Education Reform (Arabic version)
Qatari education reform, which included implementation of a new finance system, appears to be providing schools with adequate funding but is still struggling with issues of transparency and swift policy shifts that have been difficult to accommodate.
Mar 31, 2009
Report
Lessons from the Field: Developing and Implementing the Qatar Student Assessment System, 2002-2006
This report recounts the development of Qatar's internationally benchmarked standards-based assessment system, providing important lessons learned for Qatar and other countries that are seeking to implement standards-based educational reforms.
Mar 17, 2009
Research Brief
Improving Finance for Qatari Education Reform
Qatar's education reform, which included implementation of a new finance system, appears to be providing schools with adequate funding but is still struggling with issues of transparency and swift policy shifts that have been difficult to accommodate.
Mar 5, 2009
Report
Developing a School Finance System for K-12 Reform in Qatar
Reform-minded leaders of Qatar, who have embarked on a sweeping reform of their nation's education system, asked RAND to evaluate the education finance system that has been adopted and to offer suggestions for improvements.
Feb 24, 2009
Journal Article
An Introduction to Qatar's Primary and Secondary Education Reform
Qatar-a small, natural-resource-rich country in the Persian Gulf-has embarked on an ambitious, comprehensive effort to upgrade its educational institutions.
2009
Report
Facing Human Capital Challenges of the 21st Century: Education and Labor Market Initiatives in Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates: Executive Summary
Overview of the education and labor market initiatives under way in four Arab nations -- Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates -- to address the challenges of developing their human capital for the 21st century global economy.
Dec 22, 2008
Periodical
RAND Review: Vol. 32, No. 3, Fall 2008
The cover story offers 12 suggestions for the new U.S. president; other pieces discuss education and health in China and India, health policy models, the U.S. Postal Service mailbox monopoly, a green U.S. Army, and political reform in the Arab world.
Dec 14, 2008
Research Brief
Addressing Human Capital Challenges: Assessing the Experiences of Four Countries in the Arab Region (Arabic Version)
This research brief describes an analysis of the reform efforts of four Arab region nations (Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates) in response to human capital challenges they face in preparing their people to work in a global environment.
Nov 2, 2008
Research Brief
Addressing Human Capital Challenges: Assessing the Experiences of Four Countries in the Arab Region
This research brief describes an analysis of the reform efforts of four Arab region nations (Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates) in response to human capital challenges they face in preparing their people to work in a global environment.
Oct 11, 2008
Report
Facing Human Capital Challenges of the 21st Century: Education and Labor Market Initiatives in Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates
Describes the education and labor market initiatives under way in four Arab nations -- Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates -- to address the challenges of developing the human capital of their populations for the 21st century global economy.
Oct 7, 2008
Report
Brain Korea 21 Phase II: A New Evaluation Model (Korean-language version)
Presents an evaluation model to assess the impact of the Brain Korea 21 program, which seeks to make Korean research universities globally competitive and to produce more high-quality researchers in Korea.
Mar 12, 2008
Report
Brain Korea 21 Phase II: A New Evaluation Model
Presents an evaluation model to assess the impact of the Brain Korea 21 program, which seeks to make Korean research universities globally competitive and to produce more high-quality researchers in Korea.
Mar 11, 2008
Research Brief
Evaluating the BK 21 Program
This research brief describes RAND's suggestion of a model and database for evaluating Brain Korea 21, a program to improve Korean universities by providing fellowships to graduate students and young researchers.
Mar 10, 2008
Report
Education and the Asian Surge: A Comparison of the Education Systems in India and China
Different educational approaches in China and India have been successful in stimulating economic growth; the successes and challenges of both education systems offer valuable lessons for China, India, and the rest of the developing world.
Feb 15, 2008
Research Brief
Identifying Priorities for Post-Secondary Education in Qatar (Arabic version)
This research brief summarizes RAND's analysis of the extent to which Qatar's post-secondary educational offerings can meet Qatar's future needs and offers remedies for identified shortcomings.
Feb 10, 2008
Research Brief
A New System for K-12 Education in Qatar (Arabic version)
This research brief highlights aspects of Phase I (2001-04) of Qatar's K-12 reform initiative, Education for a New Era, based on RAND's experiences in this multi-participant effort to build a world-class standards- and choice-based education system.
Oct 31, 2007
Report
Education for a New Era, Executive Summary: Design and Implementation of K-12 Education Reform in Qatar
Provides an overview of the first phase of Qatar's K-12 education reform initiative, Education for a New Era, based on RAND's experiences in this ambitious, multi-participant effort to build a world-class standards- and choice-based education system.
Oct 29, 2007
Research Brief
Identifying Priorities for Post-Secondary Education in Qatar
This research brief summarizes RAND's analysis of the extent to which Qatar's post-secondary educational offerings can meet Qatar's future needs and offers remedies for identified shortcomings.
Oct 29, 2007
Report
Post-Secondary Education in Qatar: Employer Demand, Student Choice, and Options for Policy
Describes a study conducted to assess how well Qatar's post-secondary education system is producing Qataris capable of furthering the nation's goals, as well as to determine priorities for developing post-secondary opportunities.
Oct 12, 2007
Research Brief
A New System for K-12 Education in Qatar
This research brief highlights aspects of Phase I (2001-04) of Qatar's K-12 reform initiative, Education for a New Era, based on RAND's experiences in this multi-participant effort to build a world-class standards- and choice-based education system.
Apr 8, 2007
Report
Education for a New Era: Design and Implementation of K-12 Education Reform in Qatar
Describes the first phase of Qatar's bold K-12 education reform initiative, Education for a New Era, based on RAND's experiences as part of this ambitious, multi-participant effort to build a world-class standards- and choice-based education system.
Apr 1, 2007
Draft
An Introduction to Qatar’s Primary and Secondary Education Reform
Describes a reform designed by Qatari education officials and RAND researchers to upgrade the school system of Qatar.
May 31, 2006
Research Brief
Building A Successful Palestinian State
This research brief describes work documented in Building a Successful Palestinian State (MG-146-DCR).
Nov 25, 2005
Commercial Book
In Pursuit of Prestige: Strategy and Competition in U.S. Higher Education
This volume examines higher education as an industry. The authors focus on how institutions serve four identifiable markets that generate revenue (student enrollment, research funding, public fiscal support, and private giving).
2004
Draft
In Pursuit of Prestige: Strategy and Competition in U.S. Higher Education, Technical Papers
This volume is a companion to In Pursuit of Prestige: Strategy and Competition in U.S. Higher Education, published by Transaction Press, 2001.
2001
Report
Paying for University Research Facilities and Administration
Federal spending for scientific research at U.S. academic institutions equals approximately $15 billion each year. According to the analysis in this report, about three-quarters of this amount supports the direct costs of conducting research.
2000
Report
Staffing Army ROTC at Colleges and Universities: Alternatives for Reducing the Use of Active-Duty Soldiers
Discusses alternatives to current SROTC battalion staffing in which many active-duty soldiers performing teaching or training functions would be replaced by reservists or by contracted civilians with former military service.
1999
Report
Combining Service and Learning in Higher Education: Evaluation of the Learn and Serve America, Higher Education Program
Presents results of a three-year evaluation of Learn and Serve America, Higher Education (LSAHE), a program sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service that aims to increase involvement in community service by ...
1999
Report
Allocating Scholarships for Army ROTC
Based on these findings, the authors recommended and the Army implemented a high-value scholarship targeted to some prestigious private colleges. The study also analyzes several complete scholarship programs to replace the tiered scholarships.
1999
Report
Engaging China In the International Export Control Process: Options for U.S. Policy
This document provides options for U.S. policy that will enhance China's participation in the control of international transfers of destabilizing military or dual-use technology.
1997
Draft
Managing Policy Toward China Under Clinton: The Changing Role of Economics
This report analyzes the forces inside and outside the U.S. government that shape policy toward China, focusing on the reversal of policy that President Clinton announced in May 1994, when China's trade status was delinked from its human rights record.
1995
Draft
Program Evaluation for Service Learning: A Documented Briefing
Program Evaluation for Service Learning: A Documented Briefing
1995