Cassandra Hart

Cassandra Hart is a Professor of Education Policy at the University of California, Davis, School of Education. She evaluates the impacts of school, state, and national education programs on student achievement and equity in outcomes.

• Ph.D., Human Development and Social Policy, Northwestern University (2011)
• Master of Public Policy, University of Chicago (2006)
• Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service, Georgetown University (2002)

Her research focuses on school choice programs, school accountability policies, early childhood education, and the demographic alignment of teachers and students. She also examines virtual schooling effects in K-12 and post-secondary settings.

Recent work includes studies on community college responses to the pandemic, online instructor training, and student performance in asynchronous vs synchronous courses. Key findings show that Black students matched with Black teachers are less likely to be incorrectly identified for special education services and more likely to graduate and attend college.

Scientific awards include the Outstanding Reviewer Award (2024) and Thomas A. Downes Award (2019). She has received grants from the Spencer Foundation, Institute of Education Sciences, and Arnold Ventures for online education research.

Hart serves as Co-Editor of Education Finance and Policy (2023–present) and holds affiliations with the UC Davis Center for Poverty and Inequality Research, California Education Lab, and Wheelhouse: Center for Community College Leadership.