Brian A. Jacob

Associate Dean for Research and Policy Engagement; Walter H. Annenberg Professor of Education Policy; Professor of Public Policy, Economics, and Education

(734) 615-6994 [email protected]

Brian A. Jacob is the Walter H. Annenberg Professor of Education Policy and professor of economics at the Ford School, serves as Associate Dean for Research and Policy Engagement, and is co-director of the Youth Policy Lab. He is also a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. He co-founded the Ford School's Education Policy Initiative.

Brian's research focuses on the economics of education, with work spanning early childhood education to college. He is motivated by the desire to identify policies with the ability to improve outcomes for all children and increase economic mobility for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

At the Ford School, he teaches "Program Evaluation," and classes focused on education policy. In 2008, Jacob received the David N. Kershaw Prize, an award given every two years to honor persons who, at under the age of 40, have made a distinguished contribution to the field of public policy. He received a BA from Harvard University in 1992 and a PhD in public policy from the University of Chicago.

View more on Brian Jacob's personal site.

Professional affiliations

Co-director of the Youth Policy Lab

Current research

Analytic methods
Education
Domestic Policy
Economics and Finance
Labor

Recent publications

Institutional Variation in Child Maltreatment Reporting
With E. Jason Baron, Micah Y. Baum, Joseph J. Doyle Jr., Maria D. Fitzpatrick and Joseph P. Ryan · NBER Working Paper 35619, 2026 · [+] Abstract
The Effects of School Phone Bans: National Evidence from Lockable Pouches
With Hunt Allcott, E. Jason Baron, Thomas Dee, Angela L. Duckworth and Matthew Gentzkow · NBER Working Paper 35132, 2026 · [+] Abstract
Coverage: New York Times· Washington Post· Scientific American· NPR· Education Week· The 74· CNN
Impacts of Michigan Transitional Kindergarten through Third Grade
With J. Berne, K.C. Garcia, T. Musaddiq, A. Shapiro and C. Weiland · Child Development, 2026 · [+] Abstract
Coverage: Phys.org· Fordham Institute· MSN· Detroit News
Op-ed: Bridge Magazine(with Christina Weiland)
Assessing the Impact of Grade Retention: A Cautionary Tale of Exclusion Restriction Violations
With J. Berne, C. Weiland and K. Strunk · Journal of Public Economics, 253, 2026 · [+] Abstract
Coverage: Annenberg Institute· Education Week· Cato Institute· New York Times· The 74

Download CV

Education Policy Initiative

The Education Policy Initiative (EPI) is a program within the Ford School that brings together nationally-recognized education policy scholars focused on the generation and dissemination of policy-relevant education research. EPI conducts rigorous, applied, policy-relevant, evidence-based research informed by challenging policy questions that are relevant to education practitioners and are necessary to improve educational outcomes.

News
Ford School celebrates faculty appointments and promotions
Aug 26, 2026
The Ford School is welcoming new and returning scholars, artists, and policy experts in 2026, while celebrating the promotion of three accomplished faculty members and new roles for longtime members of the school community.
News
Weiland argues that the West Virginia Legislature must reform the state's school closure process
Aug 16, 2026
In an op-ed for the Charleston Gazette-Mail, Ford School professor Chris Weiland argues that the West Virginia Legislature must reform the state's school closure process. In Roane County, recent school closures have resulted in a fine that will doubl...
News
Tool tracking school closures puts data in hands of affected communities, informs work to find solutions
May 27, 2026
Kohn Professor Christina Weiland talks about the WV school closure tracker to help policymakers, community members, and families make informed policy decisions.
Publication
Lockable phone pouches in schools improve student well-being over time, not test scores or bullying
May 8, 2026
A popular device for restricting cell phone use in middle and high schools is effective at achieving that aim, leading to short-term disruption but ultimately positive effects on student well-being, new research finds.
State & Hill
"This research is not partisan"
May 7, 2026
What’s the public school ROI? Should the state offer transitional kindergarten? Why do eligible college students leave financial aid on the table? The Education Policy Initiative's Michigan Education Data Center helps us understand what work–and why–...

In the Media
YPL research offers Michigan schools options for enforcing new state cell phone ban
Aug 25, 2026 The 74
Youth Policy Lab research provides guidance on the trade-offs of different approaches as the state cell phone ban s law goes into place, according to Ford School professor Brian Jacob.
In the Media
"Do-no-harm" education policy can incentivize change - Stange
Jul 25, 2026 CBS Detroit
New U.S. Government policy assessing for-profit colleges incentivizes change, according to Ford School professor Kevin Stange.
In the Media
Jacob comments on Florida's reading and math score improvements
Jul 2, 2026 Orlando Sentinel
While Florida's reading, math scores look promising, Ford School professor Brian Jacob says National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores will provide the clearest view of Florida’s current academic progress.
In the Media
Weiland applauds gains in Washington state pre-K education
Jun 29, 2026 The Spokesman-Review
Ford School professor Christina Weiland said that while the expansion of pre-K in Washington state, "does much more than just prepare a child for elementary school," the need is going to continue to increase.
In the Media
Cohodes discusses teacher merit pay models
Jun 25, 2026 Chalkbeat
Ford School associate professor Sarah Cohodes tells Chalkbeat that teach merit pay tied to student achievement creates a more positive school climate.

EPI Speaker Series
Readiness: Preparing State Early Childhood Systems for a Brighter Future

Mar 16, 2026, 12:00-12:50 pm EDT
1110 Weill Hall
Elliot Regenstein will discuss how state early childhood systems really work – how state governments oversee publicly funded programs, how community capacity supports state work, how advocates and philanthropists try to exercise influence, and how data is used to shape policy.
EPI Speaker Series
The Consequences of Faculty Sexual Misconduct

Jan 26, 2026, 12:00-12:50 pm EST
1110 Weill Hall
Faculty sexual misconduct targeted at students is a widespread problem. The consequences of such incidents include direct harm to victims and may also entail a loss to science if students who encounter misconduct become discouraged from continuing their studies in their chosen field.
Kohn Collaborative for Social Policy roundtable

Nov 11, 2025, 11:30 am-12:50 pm EST
Weill Hall O'Neill classroom (1230)
Join the Ford School’s Kohn Collaborative—our Kohn Professors and Kohn Scholars—for a roundtable conversation on shaping social policy for a thriving society. Explore bold ideas and insights from leading voices as they discuss what it takes to build communities where everyone can truly thrive.
EPI Speaker Series
Philanthropy’s role in improving postsecondary educational access and success in Detroit, the United States and South Africa

Oct 1, 2025, 12:00-12:50 pm EDT
1210 Weill Hall
This Ed Policy discussion looks at the impact of philanthropy’s contribution to improving postsecondary access and success. Over the past 15 years, several foundations, including the Kresge Foundation based in metro Detroit, have partnered together and with nonprofits, universities and community colleges to improve postsecondary attainment among US adults, moving the needle from 38% in 2008 to 54.9% as of 2023. Hear how they did it – and how the approach is gaining traction overseas, too.
Smart from the Start: Closing Early Opportunity Gaps with Strategic Early Learning Investments

Apr 9, 2025, 4:00-5:00 pm EDT
Walter and Leonore Annenberg Auditorium (Room 1120) Joan and Sanford Weill Hall
The Ford School's Karl and Martha Kohn Professor of Social Policy, Christina Weiland, will deliver her Kohn lecture reflecting on her work on early childhood interventions and public policies on children’s development, especially on children from families with low incomes.
Watch live from this page

Christina Weiland: Smart from the Start Kohn Lecture
Apr 9, 2025 3:00:00
The Ford School's Karl and Martha Kohn Professor of Social Policy, Christina Weiland, will deliver her Kohn lecture reflecting on her work on early childhood interventions and public policies on children’s development, especially on children from fam...
Michigan's Transitional Kindergarten Study - A first look at program reach and features!
Jan 25, 2023 0:19:10
EPI Co-Director and Principal Investigator for the Michigan Transitional Kindergarten Study, Dr. Chris Weiland, presents initial findings on Michigan two-year kindergarten program access and features across the state.
Attisha and Trejo: Lead in the water
Nov 30, 2022 1:24:32
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha and Dr. Sam Trejo discuss the academic impacts of the Flint Water Crisis 7-8 years later, and the big picture implications for young people in the community. November, 2022. Learn more about the speakers and the event.
Tools for influence and action
Nov 15, 2021 0:48:00
With a firm grounding in social science research and quantitative analysis, real-world policy issues are woven throughout our rigorous, hands-on curriculum. November, 2021.
The future of early childhood education after COVID-19
Aug 18, 2021 1:01:46
The Brown Center on Education Policy at Brookings hosted a virtual panel discussion that considers the present and future of ECE in the United States. The panel consisted of experts with backgrounds in ECE policy, practice, and research. It examined ...

Professional affiliations

Current research

Recent publications

Phone:

Email:

Office:

Campus zip:

Address:

Sites: