Ericka Weathers is an assistant professor in Penn GSE’s Policy, Organizations, Leadership, and Systems division. She studies the causes and consequences of inequality in K–12 education as well as the effects of K–12 policies on student and school outcomes.

Professor Weathers’ work has been funded by the Russell Sage Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the 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. Professor Weathers was named a 2021 Spencer Foundation/National Academy of Education postdoctoral fellow for her work on racial disparities in special education decision points.

Research Interests and Current Projects

Professor Weathers uses quasi-experimental research methods to conduct K–12 education policy research that is informed by sociological perspectives. Her research focuses on racial and socioeconomic inequality, with an emphasis on two overarching questions. First, what are the processes and contexts that lead to and/or are associated with racial and socioeconomic disparities in education? Second, how might K–12 education policies, practices, and programs reduce or exacerbate racial and socioeconomic inequality in education? More specifically, the first arm of her research is about mechanisms, whereas the second arm is about the effects of specific education policies. Professor Weathers believes that studying these mechanisms and education policies can inform implementation and/or efforts to improve K–12 educational programs and policies in ways that promote educational equity. Her current areas of focus include truancy, special education, school segregation, and school officers.

Publications

Selected Publications

Weathers, E. S., & Sosina, V. E. (2022). Separate remains unequal: Contemporary segregation and racial disparities in school district revenue. American Educational Research Journal. Online First Publication. https://doi.org/10.3102/00028312221079297

Weathers, E. S., Hollett Babbs, K., Mandel, Z. R., & Rickert, C. (2021). Absence unexcused: A systematic review on truancy. Peabody Journal of Education, 96(5), 494–507. https://doi.org/10.1080/0161956X.2021.1991696

Fahle, E. M., Reardon, S. F., Kalogrides, D., Weathers, E. S., & Jang, H. (2020). Racial segregation and school poverty in the United States, 1999–2016. Race and Social Problems, 12, 42–56. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12552-019-09277-w

Weathers, E. S. (2019). Bias or empathy in universal screening? The effect of teacher–student racial congruence on teacher perceptions of student behavior. Urban Education. Online First Publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/0042085919873691

Sosina, V. E., & Weathers, E. S. (2019). Pathways to inequality: Between-district segregation and racial disparities in school district expenditures. AERA Open, 5(3), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1177/2332858419872445

News & Media

Penn GSE News

Celebration of Educators 2024 explores the economics of education and honors alumni

Penn GSE’s annual Alumni Weekend event featured a faculty panel discussion on “The Price of Education” and celebrated the winners of the Education Alumni Awards.

June 11, 2024

Policy Corner: Ericka Weathers advocates for equitable school funding in wake of Pennsylvania ruling

Assistant professor calls for a new, more equitable funding formula that addresses racial and socioeconomic disparities.

February 27, 2024

Educational inequities? Follow the numbers, says Ericka Weathers

An assistant professor of education policy, Weathers combs through historical data to find policies that harm marginalized communities. Her work is influencing Congress.

April 4, 2023

In the Media

Josh Shapiro's victory in Pennsylvania gubernatorial race could bolster school funding

What does Josh Shapiro's win mean for education in Pennsylvania? The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently chatted with Penn GSE's Ericka Weathers and other experts about goals for the governor-elect.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | November 13, 2022

The Educator's Playbook

Trailer: Introducing the Educator's Playbook podcast

Launching this fall, the Educator's Playbook podcast will examine some of the biggest issues facing K-12 today and share practical, easy-to-implement advice.

Absenteeism & Truancy (S1E1)

Chronic absenteeism and truancy are on the rise, hindering student success. In our debut episode of the Educator’s Playbook podcast, we speak with two experts on the issue.

Journal Editorial Boards

Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis

Editorial Board