Mathematica operates the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) for the Mid-Atlantic region. The national REL program serves 10 regions across the country and works with school districts, state and local education agencies, and others to support the use of evidence in improving outcomes for students.
Mariesa Herrmann
Senior Researcher
Name Pronunciation: Mah-REE-sah Her-MAN
Pronouns: she/her
Expertise
- Design and conduct of rigorous evaluations
- Quantitative data collection and analysis
Focus Areas
- Human Services
- Education
- Teacher and Principal Effectiveness
- Teacher and Principal Preparation and Support
- School Reform
About Mariesa
Mariesa Herrmann specializes in designing and conducting education evaluations. Her research has focused on interventions intended to improve educator effectiveness such as teacher and principal evaluation, professional development, and pay for performance.
Since joining Mathematica in 2012, Herrmann has worked on a range of projects in the education area. Currently, she is deputy project director for the U.S. Department of Education’s national evaluation of teacher residency programs. Past projects include a synthesis of research evidence on assistant principals, the national evaluation of Race to the Top and School Improvement grants, and research-practice partnerships with the School District of Philadelphia and New Jersey Department of Education.
Herrmann attended underresourced public schools. This informs her interest in understanding how to improve students’ access to high quality education that allows them to realize their full academic and social potential. She has published in the Journal of Labor Economics, Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness, Journal of Human Resources, and Statistics and Public Policy. She holds a Ph.D. in economics from Columbia University.
Key Publications
The Role of Assistant Principals: Evidence and Insights for Advancing School Leadership, Study Highlights
Apr 13, 2021
The Role of Assistant Principals: Evidence and Insights for Advancing School Leadership
Apr 13, 2021
Key Projects
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Mathematica Leads the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) for the Mid-Atlantic Region
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Evaluating Race to the Top and School Improvement GrantsIn this study of more than 500 schools, 60 districts, and all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Mathematica is conducting an implementation and impact analysis of Race To the Top and School Improvement Grants, two programs that aim to foster systematic school reform.
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Value-Added Assessment System for DC Schools and TeachersWe designed value-added models to measure teacher and school effectiveness and have produced annual estimates of educators’ contributions to achievement in grades 4-8 since the 2008-2009 school year. These estimates are combined with other measures of educator effectiveness in DCPS’s IMPACT system.