Ericka Weathers

Ericka Weathers is an Assistant Professor in the Policy, Organizations, Leadership, and Systems division at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. Her research focuses on racial and socioeconomic inequality in K–12 education, examining both systemic mechanisms driving disparities and the effects of education policies on student outcomes. She uses quasi-experimental methods informed by sociological perspectives to study issues like special education decision-making, school segregation, and chronic absenteeism.

Dr. Weathers has been funded by the Russell Sage Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Pennsylvania Department of Education. She serves on the editorial board of Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis and co-chairs the Association of Education Finance and Policy’s Scholars of Color Community Group. Her work has influenced congressional policy discussions and received recognition through prestigious awards including the Spencer Foundation/National Academy of Education postdoctoral fellowship (2021) and the William T. Grant Scholars Program (2030).

Her research emphasizes actionable insights for equitable policy implementation, particularly around truancy interventions and school funding formulas. Media engagements include discussions in Education Week and policy briefings for state-level decision-makers.