David Knight

David Knight is an Associate Professor of Education Finance and Policy at the University of Washington College of Education. He serves as Director of the Center for the Study of Teaching and Policy and the Center for Early Childhood Policy and Equity, and is a Fellow at the National Education Policy Center. His work centers on the economics of education, school finance, and equity in educational policy.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Educational Policy, University of Southern California
• M.A. in Economics, University of Southern California
• M.A. in Economics Education, University of Kansas
• B.A. in Economics and Anthropology, University of Kansas

Research Focus:

Dr. Knight's research is organized around three core areas: (1) equitable school funding and resource allocation, (2) educator labor markets and workforce equity, and (3) cost-effectiveness and economic evaluation of educational interventions. His work emphasizes distributive justice and the reduction of racial and socioeconomic disparities in education.

Publications & Policy Impact:

His recent scholarly output includes articles in top journals such as Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, Education Economics, and Peabody Journal of Education. He has also produced influential policy briefs and expert testimony for state legislatures in Washington and Texas.

Grants & Leadership:

• Principal Investigator, NSF Grant ($1.5M) on teacher turnover during COVID-19
• Co-Principal Investigator, W.T. Grant Foundation grant on school finance reform
• Co-Principal Investigator, Lyle Spencer Foundation grant on dual credit education

Public Engagement:

Dr. Knight is a frequent contributor to public discourse through op-eds in outlets like the Seattle Times and The Hill, and has provided expert testimony to state legislative committees on school funding and policy reform.