Neal Finkelstein

Overview

Neal Finkelstein is an education researcher who works with school districts, state educational agencies, and community partners to build research studies supported by primary data collection. With the goal of supporting changes in instructional practice, he has focused on efficiency in the research process and looks to increase options for valid and reliable measurement at a reasonable cost. 

Finkelstein has directed a wide range of research and evaluation projects that feature experimental and descriptive analytic approaches; several of his studies are in the What Works Clearinghouse. As Deputy Director of the Regional Educational Laboratory, West (2012–2016), Finkelstein led and managed the implementation of research-practitioner partnerships that resulted in rigorous research products around algebra completion. Finkelstein served as an expert panelist for the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences practice guide on helping students navigate the path to college. In 2024, Finkelstein led a systematic review of the public’s perspectives on the mayoral control of the New York City public schools. 

Before joining WestEd, Finkelstein worked on large-scale program evaluations and policy analyses encompassing K–12 and higher education, and the bridge between them, as Director of Educational Outreach Research and Evaluation for the University of California Office of the President and as Senior Program Officer for the National Research Council. Each of these roles focused on the application of research in education to field-based practice and policy design. 

Education

• PhD, education, policy and management studies, University of California, Graduate School of Education
• MA, education, University of California, Graduate School of Education
• MPP, emphasis in education policy, University of California, Goldman School of Public Policy
• BA, economics and psychology, Swarthmore College  

Select Publications

Bracco, K., Barrat, V., & Finkelstein, N. (2020). Student progress under California State University’s Executive Order 1110: A systemwide analysis of outcomes in 2018/19. San Francisco, CA: WestEd.  

Bracco, K. R., Schrager, C., Calisi, G., Gutierrez, P., Salciccioli, M., & Finkelstein, N. (2019). College-ready in the California State University system: Campus experiences implementing EO 1110. San Francisco, CA: WestEd.  

Fong, Anthony B., Finkelstein, Neal D., Jaeger, Laura M., Diaz, Rebeca, & Broek, Maria E. (2015). Evaluation of the Expository Reading and Writing Course: Findings from the Investing in Innovation Development Grant, San Francisco: WestEd. 

Snipes, J., Huang, C.-W., Finkelstein, N., & Jaquet, K. (2015). The effects of the Elevate Summer Math Program on math achievement and algebra readiness. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, Regional Educational Laboratory West. 

Huang, C.-W., Snipes, J., & Finkelstein, N. (2014). Using assessment data to guide math course placement of California middle school students (REL 2014–040). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, Regional Educational Laboratory West. http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs 

Finkelstein, N., Hanson, T., Huang, C.-W., Hirschman, B., & Huang, M. (2010). Effects of Problem Based Economics on high school economics instruction (NCEE 2010–4002). Washington, DC: National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. 

Finkelstein, N., Huang, M., & Fong, A. (2009). High school course-taking patterns for English language learners: A case study from California. Washington, DC: National High School Center, U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. 

Finkelstein, N., Fong, A., Hirschman, B., Luers, K., & Deussen, T. (2009). Improving the quality and use of postsecondary data. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education. http://www2.ed.gov/programs/slcp/postsecondardata.pdf 

Finkelstein, N., & Fong, A. (2008). Course-taking patterns and preparation for postsecondary education in California’s public university systems among minority youth. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences. http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/projects/project.asp?id=86 

Honors and Awards

Paul D. Hood Award for Distinguished Contribution to the Field, 2017

Recent Media Appearances

• Silicon Valley’s Pursuit of Proof, EdSurge, March 4, 2015 
• Gov. Brown proposes competition to create new high school math course, EdSource, February 16, 2016