معرفی
Thomas Downes is an Associate Professor of Economics at Tufts University, part of the School of Arts and Sciences. He holds a PhD in Economics from Stanford University (1988) and previously taught at Northwestern University (1988–1994). His research focuses on public policy evaluation, particularly school finance reforms, property tax limitations, and the interplay between public and private education sectors. He has authored numerous papers on topics like equity in education funding, fiscal policy implications of school reforms, and the economic impacts of charter schools.
Downes has served on panels such as the National Academies' Committee on National Statistics and co-edited Education Finance and Policy. His work has appeared in journals like Journal of Urban Economics and Public Choice. He currently advises on education finance issues, including testimony before the New York State Senate. His research emphasizes policy design to reduce inequities in public service delivery, with a special focus on reducing disparities in educational quality and accessibility.
Key contributions include analyzing the effects of school finance reforms on student outcomes, private school enrollment trends, and community composition. He has also explored how non-tax revenue sources, such as user fees, are underutilized in public education funding. His work bridges empirical analysis and policy recommendation, aiming to inform decision-making at the state and local levels.
