Ron Zimmer

Associate Professor of Public Policy and Education, Peabody College at Vanderbilt University

Ron Zimmer is an Associate Professor of Public Policy and Education in the Peabody College at Vanderbilt University and is currently serving as co editor of Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis and editorial board member of Economics of Education Review. Prior to coming to Vanderbilt University, Dr. Zimmer was a faculty member at Michigan State University and spent a number years at the RAND Corporation.

Zimmer's research focuses on school choice and school finance which has led to a number of scholarly articles, book chapters, and monographs. Much of this research has been funded by an array of foundations, state governments, and the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). The findings from some of this research have been highlighted in major media outlets including the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Education Week, and CNN. In addition, Dr. Zimmer has also briefed some of his findings to congressional staffers and Tennessee Governor Bill Haslem. Currently, Dr. Zimmer co-leading an evaluation of the impact Chicago’s charter schools are having on long-term educational attainment.