James Kemple

Dr. James Kemple is a Senior Fellow at the Research Alliance for New York City Schools and Research Professor of Teaching and Learning at NYU's Steinhardt School. He specializes in educational policy research, high school reform, and rigorous impact evaluations. His work focuses on NYC's educational trends, on-track indicators, and effects of school closures. He holds an Ed.D. and Ed.M. from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education and a B.A. in Mathematics from Holy Cross College.

• Education:
• Ed.D., Harvard University Graduate School of Education (concentration: Administration, Planning, and Social Policy)
• Ed.M., Harvard University Graduate School of Education
• B.A. in Mathematics, College of the Holy Cross

His research interests emphasize urban education challenges, evidence-based policy, and the application of rigorous methodologies to evaluate educational interventions. He collaborates with NYC Department of Education and private foundations to shape research priorities. Previously, he directed MDRC’s K-12 Education Policy Area, leading major studies like the Career Academies Evaluation and Talent Development Schools Model Assessment.

As Principal Investigator on numerous projects, Dr. Kemple bridges academic research with practical educational reforms. He has advised on national initiatives, including the National Reading First Impact Study and the Content Literacy Continuum evaluation. His career began as a high school math teacher, later transitioning to leadership roles in education policy and research.