Paul MannaView profile
Professor
Paul Manna is a Professor in the Department of Government and affiliated with the Thomas Jefferson Program in Public Policy at the College of William & Mary. He holds a B.A. from Northwestern University (1992) and a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin (2003). Prior to academia, he was a high school teacher and debate coach. His research focuses on federal education policy, state governance structures, and the implementation of educational reforms like No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and Race to the Top. Manna has authored influential books such as *School's In* (2006) and *Collision Course* (2011), analyzing federal-state dynamics in education. His work emphasizes the interplay between policy design, governance complexity, and real-world outcomes in K-12 education systems. Education: B.A., Political Science, Northwestern University (1992) Ph.D., Political Science, University of Wisconsin (2003) Manna’s research interests span federalism, educational governance, and policy implementation. He examines how state and local actors navigate federal mandates, with a focus on issues like charter schools, school choice, and accountability mechanisms. Recent work explores state leadership in principal preparation programs and the challenges of aligning policy across governance layers. His publications consistently address the tension between centralized policy goals and localized realities, offering insights into systemic barriers to reform. Notable themes include the role of advocacy organizations, electoral accountability for education leaders, and the impact of governance structures on student outcomes. Manna has advised on education policy reforms and contributed to debates on governance innovation. His analysis of Race to the Top’s competitive grant model highlights both opportunities and resistances in state-level adoption. While no specific awards are listed, his scholarly contributions have shaped policy discussions in federalism and education studies.






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