Personal Data
Born 1950, Washington, D.C.; US Citizen; Married
Education
Northwood High School, Silver Spring, MD, 1968
- U.S. Presidential Scholar, 1968
- National Merit Scholar, 1968
University of Michigan, 1968-72: B.A. in Economics, High Distinction, Magna Cum Laude
- Phi Beta Kappa, Sims Senior Honors Scholarship in Economics
Harvard University, 1972-78: Ph.D. in Economics
- Dissertation: “Unemployment, Distribution, and Capacity Utilization on Equilibrium Paths”
- Dissertation Chair: Professor Kenneth Arrow
Academic Appointments
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Department of Education Reform
- Professor Emeritus of Education Reform and Economics (2024 – present)
- Professor of Education Reform (2006 – 2023)
- Endowed Chair in Education Accountability (2006 – 2023)
- Professor of Economics, by courtesy (2006 – 2023)
University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Department of Economics:
- Professor of Economics (1992 – 2006)
- Associate Professor of Economics (1985 – 1992);
- Assistant Professor of Economics (1978 – 1985);
- Lecturer in Economics (1978).
Boston University, Department of Economics: Visiting Scholar (1993 – 1994).
Brandeis University, Department of Economics: Adjunct Associate Professor (1986).
University of Toronto, Faculty of Management Studies:
- Visiting Assistant Professor of Economics and Finance (1982 – 1984).
Government Positions
Education Advisor to Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney (2005 – 2006)
Executive Office for Administration and Finance, Commonwealth of Massachusetts:
- Chief Economist, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (2003 – 2006)
- Director of Research and Development (1999 – 2002)
Boards, Panels, Grants, Awards
Association for Public Policy and Management, Steven D. Gold Award (PDF), for contributions to public financial management in the field of intergovernmental relations and state and local finance, 2020. (University of Arkansas announcement)
Laura and John Arnold Foundation, “Undermining Equity: How State Pension Subsidies Favor Wealthy School Districts,” co-PI with James Shuls, University of Missouri at St. Louis, 2018-20, $156,930 ($80,169 subcontract from UMSL to University of Arkansas)
Laura and John Arnold Foundation, “Cross-Subsidization of Teacher Pension Normal Cost,” 2016-17, $93,764.
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, “What Teacher Pension Plans Should Report to Their Members… and the Public,” 2011-13. $132,907. (Grant awarded, but not completed due to illness and death of my wife; about half returned.)
Education Advisory Committee, Mitt Romney Presidential campaign, 2012.
Fellow in Education Reform, George W. Bush Institute, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, 2011-2013 (compensated).
“Analysis of Educator Retirement Benefit Systems in Chicago, Illinois, and Indiana,” co-PI with Michael Podgursky, $295,000. Joyce Foundation. May 1, 2009 – October 31, 2010.
“Teacher Retirement Benefit Systems and K-12 Education,” co-PI, with Michael Podgursky, $250,000. Smith Richardson Foundation. March 1, 2008-September 20, 2010.
“Significant Research Award,” University of Arkansas, College of Education and Health Professions, 2008-09.
National Technical Advisory Council, U.S. Dept. of Education (Secretarial appointee), 2008-09.
“Who’s Who in America, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016”
Senior Research Associate, School Choice Demonstration Project, University of Arkansas, 2006-2010.
Massachusetts School Building Authority (designee of the Secretary of Administration and Finance) (2005-06).
Commissioner (Gubernatorial designee to serve for Secretary of Administration and Finance), Massachusetts Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission (2001-03).
Advisory Council on Education Stat’s, U.S. Dept. of Education (Secretarial appointee) (2001-02).
Steering Committee, NAEP Economics Framework and Specifications (2001-02).
Teaching Faculty, Lincoln Institute for Land Policy, Spring 2002, 2006.
Board of Advisors, MassInsight Building Blocks Program (2001-06).
Templeton Foundation Freedom Project (with Jeffrey Sedgwick). For John Templeton Seminar & Lectures of Freedom and Education, University of Massachusetts at Amherst (2000).
Judge, Better Government Competition, Pioneer Institute, MA (1999-2006)
Christian Herter Teaching Award for Service to the University, UMass Republican Club (1999).
Board of Academic Advisors, Pioneer Institute, MA (1999-2006).
Board of Academic Advisors, Thomas B. Fordham Foundation (1998-99).
Gubernatorial Appointee to Massachusetts Taxation Alternatives Commission. (1997-98).
Committee to Review National Standards, a project of the American Enterprise Institute, (1994).