Crowd of Black Lives Matters demonstrators marching in the street.
Feature: The Democratic Necessity of Reckoning

Erica Chenoweth reviews scholarship that overwhelmingly shows the Black Lives Matter movement generated high levels of public awareness about systemic racism and increased support for criminal justice reform.

Electronic stock ticker board with numbers and arabic letters.
Feature: Against Rule-of-Thumb Economics

Dani Rodrik argues against neoliberalism’s universal rule-of-thumb approach and for economic analyses grounded in contextual dependencies.

Several hands of team members covering one another in a huddle above a work table.
Feature: Leaders’ Psychological Bravery

Dana Born explores what skills leaders need to cultivate psychological safety on their teams and across their organizations.

Dollars and Euros piled on top of one another.
Feature: Dollar vs. Euro as International Reserve Currencies

Jeffrey Frankel explores the strengths and weaknesses of using the Dollar and the Euro as international reserve currencies.

Harvard Kennedy School faculty disseminate their research in working publications and papers that contribute to public knowledge and fuel policy innovation. This list features recent faculty publications, including journal articles, books, edited volumes, research papers, and public testimony.

Faculty Publications

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young children and their caregivers

Costa, Priscila, Andréia Cascaes Cruz, Annelise Alves, Martinez Calazans Rodrigues, and Ronald Ferguson. "The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young children and their caregivers." Child: care, health and development 48.6 (November 2022): 1001-1007.

Do They See What I See? Toward a Better Understanding of the 7Cs Framework for Teaching Effectiveness

Phillips, Sarah F., Ronald F. Ferguson, and Jacob F.S. Rowley. "Do They See What I See? Toward a Better Understanding of the 7Cs Framework for Teaching Effectiveness." Educational Assessment 26.2 (January 2021): 69-87.

Why Stigmatized Adolescents Bully More: The Role of Self-Esteem and Academic-Status Insecurity

Dietrich, Lars, and Ronald Ferguson. "Why Stigmatized Adolescents Bully More: The Role of Self-Esteem and Academic-Status Insecurity." International Journal of Adolescence and Youth 25.1 (January 2020): 305-318.

A National Experiment Reveals Where a Growth Mindset Improves Achievement

Yeager, David S., et. al. "A National Experiment Reveals Where a Growth Mindset Improves Achievement." Nature 573 (August 2019): 364-369.

The Stability of Student Ratings of Teacher Instructional Practice: Examining the One-Year Stability of the 7cs Composite

Rowley, Jacob F.S., Sarah F. Phillips, and Ronald F. Ferguson. "The Stability of Student Ratings of Teacher Instructional Practice: Examining the One-Year Stability of the 7cs Composite." School Effectiveness and School Improvement 30.4 (May 2019): 549-562.

The Formula: Unlocking the Secrets to Raising Highly Successful Children

Ferguson, Ronald and Tatsha Robertson. The Formula: Unlocking the Secrets to Raising Highly Successful Children. BenBella Books, Inc., 2019.

The Formula: Unlocking the Secrets to Raising Highly Successful Children

Ferguson, Ronald, and Tatsha Robertson. The Formula: Unlocking the Secrets to Raising Highly Successful Children. BenBella Books, 2019.

First Three Years of the Journey: How Boston, Chattanooga, Yonkers, and Pickens County Set Out to Enhance Early Childhood Development at Scale

Ferguson, Ronald and Jocelyn Friedlander. "First Three Years of the Journey: How Boston, Chattanooga, Yonkers, and Pickens County Set Out to Enhance Early Childhood Development at Scale." The Achievement Gap Initiative at Harvard University, November 2018.

The Tripod School Climate Index: Evidence of Score Reliability and Validity

Ferguson, Ronald. "The Tripod School Climate Index: Evidence of Score Reliability and Validity." Health Behavior and Policy Review 5.4 (July 2018).

Teacher Math Anxiety Relates to Adolescent Students' Math Achievement

Gerardo Ramirez, Sophia Yang Hooper, Nicole B. Kersting, Ronald Ferguson, David Yeager. "Teacher Math Anxiety Relates to Adolescent Students' Math Achievement." AERA Open 4.1 (January-March 2018): 1-13.

Aiming Higher Together: Strategizing Better Educational Outcomes for Boys and Young Men of Color

Ferguson, Ronald. "Aiming Higher Together: Strategizing Better Educational Outcomes for Boys and Young Men of Color." Urban Institute Research Report, May 2016.

The Influence of Teaching
Beyond Standardized Test Scores: Engagement, Mindsets, and Agency

Ferguson, Ronald F., with Sarah F. Phillips, Jacob F. S. Rowley, and Jocelyn W. Friedlander. "The Influence of Teaching Beyond Standardized Test Scores: Engagement, Mindsets, and Agency." The Achievement Gap Initiative at Harvard University, October, 2015.

Developing Positive Young Adults: Lessons from Two Decades of YouthBuild Programs

Ferguson, Ronald, Jason Snipes, Farhana Hossain, and Michelle S. Manno. "Developing Positive Young Adults: Lessons from Two Decades of YouthBuild Programs." MDRC Research Report, May 2015.

How Framework for Teaching and Tripod 7Cs Evidence Distinguish Key Components of Effective Teaching

Ferguson, Ronald, and Charlotte Danielson. "How Framework for Teaching and Tripod 7Cs Evidence Distinguish Key Components of Effective Teaching." Designing Teacher Evaluation Systems: New Guidance form the Measures of Effective Teaching Project. Ed. Thomas J. Kane, Kerri A. Kerr, and Robert C. Pianta. Jossey-Bass, July 2014.

How Working Conditions Predict Teaching Quality and Student Outcomes

Ferguson, Ronald, and Eric Hirsch. "How Working Conditions Predict Teaching Quality and Student Outcomes." Designing Teacher Evaluation Systems: New Guidance form the Measures of Effective Teaching Project. Ed. Thomas J. Kane, Kerri A. Kerr, and Robert C. Pianta. Jossey-Bass, July 2014.

Creating Pathways to Prosperity: A Blueprint for Action

Ferguson, Ronald, and Sara Lamback. "Creating Pathways to Prosperity: A Blueprint for Action." The Pathways to Prosperity Project, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and the Achievement Gap Initiative at Harvard University, June 2014.

Elements of a 21st Century Movement for Excellence with Equity

Ferguson, Ronald. "Elements of a 21st Century Movement for Excellence with Equity." Journal of Negro Education 83.2 (Spring 2014): 103-120.

Conceiving Regional Pathways to Prosperity Systems

Ferguson, Ronald. "Conceiving Regional Pathways to Prosperity Systems." Preparing Today’s Students for Tomorrow’s Jobs in Metropolitan America. Ed. Laura Perna. University of Pennsylvania Press, 2012.

Can Student Surveys Measure Teaching Quality?

Ferguson, Ronald. "Can Student Surveys Measure Teaching Quality?" Phi Delta Kappan 94.3 (November 2012): 24-28.

Modernizing Federal Influence on American Schools

Ferguson, Ronald. "Modernizing Federal Influence on American Schools." Carrots, Sticks, and the Bully Pulpit: Lessons from a Half-Century of Federal Efforts to Improve America's Schools. Ed. Frederick M. Hess and Andrew P. Kelly. Harvard Education Press, 2012, 253-272.

How Students’ Views Predict Graduation Outcomes and Reveal Instructional Disparities under Children First Reforms

Ferguson, Ronald. "How Students’ Views Predict Graduation Outcomes and Reveal Instructional Disparities under Children First Reforms." Education Reform in New York City: Ambitious Change in the Nation's Most Complex School System. Ed. O’Day, Jennifer A., Catherine S. Bitter, and Louis M. Gomez. Harvard Education Press, 2011, 225-254.

Pathways to Prosperity: Meeting the Challenge of Preparing Teens and Young Adults for the 21st Century

Ferguson, Ronald. "Pathways to Prosperity: Meeting the Challenge of Preparing Teens and Young Adults for the 21st Century." Pathways to Prosperity Project, Harvard Graduate School of Education, February 2011.

Racial Tensions and Teacher Engagement in Professional Learning

Ferguson, Ronald. "Racial Tensions and Teacher Engagement in Professional Learning." Massachusetts Association for Supervision and Curriculum Design (MASCD) Perspectives Online. Winter 2010.

How High Schools Become Exemplary

Ferguson, Ronald F., Sandra Hackman, Robert Hanna, and Ann Ballantine. "How High Schools Become Exemplary." AGI Conference Report, June 1, 2010.

Racial Tensions and Teacher Engagement in Professional Learning

Ferguson, Ronald. "Racial Tensions and Teacher Engagement in Professional Learning." Perspectives (Winter 2010): 12-16.

What Parents Can Do for Their Kids

Ferguson, Ronald. "What Parents Can Do for Their Kids." CNN.com, July 20, 2009.

Raising Achievement and Closing Gaps in Whole School Systems: Recent Advances in Research and Practice

Ferguson, Ronald. "Raising Achievement and Closing Gaps in Whole School Systems: Recent Advances in Research and Practice." Report on the Annual Conference of the Achievement Gap Initiative at Harvard University, December 2008.

What We've Learned about 'Stalled Progress' in Closing the Black-White Achievement Gap

Ferguson, Ronald. "What We've Learned about 'Stalled Progress' in Closing the Black-White Achievement Gap." Steady Gains and Stalled Progress: Inequality and the Black-White Test Score Gap. Ed. Katherine Magnuson and Jane Waldfogel. Russell Sage, 2008, 320-344.

Helping Students of Color Meet High Standards

Ferguson, Ronald. "Helping Students of Color Meet High Standards." Everyday Anti-Racism: Getting Real About Race in School. Ed. Mica Pollock. Harvard Education Press, 2008, 78-81.

Within-School Variation in the Quality of Instruction Across Course Levels and Racial Groups

Ferguson, Ronald. "Within-School Variation in the Quality of Instruction Across Course Levels and Racial Groups." Paper for Annual Conference of the American Economics Association, New Orleans, January 4, 2008.

Become More Sophisticated about Diversity.

Ferguson, Ronald. "Become More Sophisticated about Diversity." NSDC Journal of Staff Development 28.3 (Summer 2007).

“Parenting Practices, Teenage Lifestyles, and Academic Achievement among African American Children.”

Ferguson, Ronald. “Parenting Practices, Teenage Lifestyles, and Academic Achievement among African American Children.” Focus: University of Wisconsin-Madison Institute for Research on Poverty 25.1 (Spring-Summer 2007): 18-26.

Toward Excellence with Equity: An Emerging Vision for Closing the Achievement Gap

Ferguson, Ronald. Toward Excellence with Equity: An Emerging Vision for Closing the Achievement Gap. Harvard Education Press, 2007.

Toward Excellence with Equity: The Role of Parenting and Transformative School Reform.

Ferguson, Ronald. "Toward Excellence with Equity: The Role of Parenting and Transformative School Reform." The Price We Pay: Economic and Social Consequences of Inadequate Education. Ed. Clive R. Belfield and Henry M. Levin. Brookings Institution Press, 2007, 225-254.

Afterword: Opportunity Now: Raising Achievement in Spite of Structural Impediments.

Ferguson, Ronald. "Afterword: Opportunity Now: Raising Achievement in Spite of Structural Impediments." The Opportunity Gap: Achievement and Inequality in Education. Ed. Carol DeShano da Silva, James Philip Huguley, Zenub Kakli, and Radhika Rao. Harvard Education Press, 2007, 321-326.

New Evidence on Why Black High Schoolers Get Accused of 'Acting White.'

Ferguson, Ronald. "New Evidence on Why Black High Schoolers Get Accused of 'Acting White.'" Research Brief: Achievement Gap Initiative at Harvard University, September 2006.

Five Challenges to Effective Teacher Professional Development: School Leaders Can Improve Instruction by Addressing these Issues.

Ferguson, Ronald. "Five Challenges to Effective Teacher Professional Development: School Leaders Can Improve Instruction by Addressing these Issues." Journal of Staff Development 27.4 (Fall 2006).

Toward Skillful Parenting and Transformed Schools Inside a National Movement for Excellence with Equity.

Ferguson, Ronald. "Toward Skillful Parenting and Transformed Schools Inside a National Movement for Excellence with Equity." First Educational Equity Symposium of the Campaign for Educational Equity, Columbia Teachers College, October 2005.

The Working-Poverty Trap.

Ferguson, Ronald. "The Working-Poverty Trap." The Public Interest (No. 158) Winter 2005.

Racial and SES Differences in how Gender Predicts 4th Grade Proficiency in Several Math Skill Domains.

Ferguson, Ronald, and Keena Arbuthnot. "Racial and SES Differences in how Gender Predicts 4th Grade Proficiency in Several Math Skill Domains." North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL) Working Paper, November 2005.

Five Challenges to Effective Teacher Professional Development.

Ferguson, Ronald. "Five Challenges to Effective Teacher Professional Development." North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL) Working Paper, November 2005.

Why America's Black-White School Achievement Gap Persists.

Ferguson, Ronald. "Why America's Black-White School Achievement Gap Persists." Ethnicity, Social Mobility and Public Policy: Comparing the US and UK. Ed. Glenn C. Loury, Tariq Modood and Steve M. Teles. Cambridge University Press, 2005, 309-341.

An Unfinished Journey: The Legacy of Brown and the Narrowing of the Achievement Gap.

Ferguson, Ronald. "An Unfinished Journey: The Legacy of Brown and the Narrowing of the Achievement Gap." Annual Editions 05/06: Education. Ed. Fred Schultz. McGraw Hill, 2005.

Teacher Perceptions and Expectations and the Black-White Test Score Gap.

Ferguson, Ronald. "Teacher Perceptions and Expectations and the Black-White Test Score Gap." Educating African American Males: Voices from the Field. Ed. O.S. Fashola. Corwin Press, 2005, 179-128.

Racial and Ethnic Gaps in Behavior and Persistence in Suburban Schools: Patterns and Implications.

Ferguson, Ronald. “Racial and Ethnic Gaps in Behavior and Persistence in Suburban Schools: Patterns and Implications.” APPAM Annual Conference Paper, October 2004.

“An Unfinished Journey: The Legacy of Brown and the Narrowing of the Achievement Gap.”

Ferguson, Ronald. “An Unfinished Journey: The Legacy of Brown and the Narrowing of the Achievement Gap.” Phi Delta Kappan 85.9 (May 2004).

Peer Relations, Classroom Goal Structures and Academic Persistence: Preliminary Findings from a Large Sample of Elementary Classrooms.

Ferguson, Ronald. “Peer Relations, Classroom Goal Structures and Academic Persistence: Preliminary Findings from a Large Sample of Elementary Classrooms.” APPAM Annual Conference Paper, November 2003.

Teachers' Perceptions and Expectations and the Black-White Test Score Gap.

Ferguson, Ronald. "Teachers' Perceptions and Expectations and the Black-White Test Score Gap." Urban Education 38.4 (July 2003).

Success Factors in Community-Wide Initiatives for Youth Development.

Dorgan, Kathleen, and Ronald Ferguson. "Success Factors in Community-Wide Initiatives for Youth Development." The Youth Development Handbook: Coming of Age in American Communities. Ed. Stephen F. Hamilton and Mary Agnes Hamilton. Sage, 2003.

Plastic Manufacturers: How Competitive Strategies and Technology Decisions Transformed Jobs and Increased Pay Disparity Among Rank-and-File Workers.

Ballantine, John, and Ronald Ferguson. "Plastic Manufacturers: How Competitive Strategies and Technology Decisions Transformed Jobs and Increased Pay Disparity Among Rank-and-File Workers." Low Wage America: How Employers Are Reshaping Opportunity in the Workplace. Ed. Eileen Appelbaum, Annette Bernhardt, and Richard J. Murnane. Sage, 2003.