Abigail Francis
@abigailfrancis.bsky.social
Doctoral Student in Education Policy @BU Wheelock
https://www.abigailfrancis.com/
https://www.abigailfrancis.com/
Reposted by Abigail Francis
"Falling Enrollment Most Extreme in Wealthy Districts"
Great writeup @the74.bsky.social on trends in public school enrollment.
Public schools will have to work to re-engage the families that no longer see them as offering rigorous learning environments.
www.the74million.org/article/fall...
Great writeup @the74.bsky.social on trends in public school enrollment.
Public schools will have to work to re-engage the families that no longer see them as offering rigorous learning environments.
www.the74million.org/article/fall...
January 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM
"Falling Enrollment Most Extreme in Wealthy Districts"
Great writeup @the74.bsky.social on trends in public school enrollment.
Public schools will have to work to re-engage the families that no longer see them as offering rigorous learning environments.
www.the74million.org/article/fall...
Great writeup @the74.bsky.social on trends in public school enrollment.
Public schools will have to work to re-engage the families that no longer see them as offering rigorous learning environments.
www.the74million.org/article/fall...
Reposted by Abigail Francis
Many public schools are losing students, but some are gaining. Great data crunching from Burbio showing "winners" and "losers". My hot take: several unrelated trends happening at once. Declining birthrates. Shifting migration within US. Some exodus from public schools.
January 6, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Many public schools are losing students, but some are gaining. Great data crunching from Burbio showing "winners" and "losers". My hot take: several unrelated trends happening at once. Declining birthrates. Shifting migration within US. Some exodus from public schools.
Reposted by Abigail Francis
🚨New publication alert #econsky🚨
Thrilled to have “Suspended from Work and School? Impacts of layoff events and unemployment insurance on student disciplinary incidence” forthcoming at Labour Economics with @riacton.bsky.social and Austin Smith
Paper thread incoming 🧵
tinyurl.com/susp-ws
Thrilled to have “Suspended from Work and School? Impacts of layoff events and unemployment insurance on student disciplinary incidence” forthcoming at Labour Economics with @riacton.bsky.social and Austin Smith
Paper thread incoming 🧵
tinyurl.com/susp-ws
Suspended from work and school? Impacts of layoff events and unemployment insurance on student disciplinary incidence
We examine the impact of local labor market shocks and state unemployment insurance (UI) policies on student discipline in U.S. public schools. Analyz…
tinyurl.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:17 PM
🚨New publication alert #econsky🚨
Thrilled to have “Suspended from Work and School? Impacts of layoff events and unemployment insurance on student disciplinary incidence” forthcoming at Labour Economics with @riacton.bsky.social and Austin Smith
Paper thread incoming 🧵
tinyurl.com/susp-ws
Thrilled to have “Suspended from Work and School? Impacts of layoff events and unemployment insurance on student disciplinary incidence” forthcoming at Labour Economics with @riacton.bsky.social and Austin Smith
Paper thread incoming 🧵
tinyurl.com/susp-ws
Reposted by Abigail Francis
Thrilled that our work on post-pandemic school enrollment shifts made it into @the74.bsky.social's:
"12 Charts that Defined Education in 2025"
The whole round-up is a fantastic summary of important work that came out this past year, told in pictures.
www.the74million.org/article/12-c...
"12 Charts that Defined Education in 2025"
The whole round-up is a fantastic summary of important work that came out this past year, told in pictures.
www.the74million.org/article/12-c...
December 10, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Thrilled that our work on post-pandemic school enrollment shifts made it into @the74.bsky.social's:
"12 Charts that Defined Education in 2025"
The whole round-up is a fantastic summary of important work that came out this past year, told in pictures.
www.the74million.org/article/12-c...
"12 Charts that Defined Education in 2025"
The whole round-up is a fantastic summary of important work that came out this past year, told in pictures.
www.the74million.org/article/12-c...
Reposted by Abigail Francis
Community college enrollment has been declining since 2009/10. The optimal policy response to this depends on the root of this decline.
I'm thrilled @nber.org today released my working paper with Harvard PhD Joe Winkelmann titled:
"Labor Market Strength and Declining Community College Enrollment"
I'm thrilled @nber.org today released my working paper with Harvard PhD Joe Winkelmann titled:
"Labor Market Strength and Declining Community College Enrollment"
December 1, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Community college enrollment has been declining since 2009/10. The optimal policy response to this depends on the root of this decline.
I'm thrilled @nber.org today released my working paper with Harvard PhD Joe Winkelmann titled:
"Labor Market Strength and Declining Community College Enrollment"
I'm thrilled @nber.org today released my working paper with Harvard PhD Joe Winkelmann titled:
"Labor Market Strength and Declining Community College Enrollment"
Reposted by Abigail Francis
Did you catch our webinar on enrollment shifts? A new @EdWeek.org article highlights a core finding: the biggest enrollment declines are in the wealthiest 20% of districts, with little sign of rebound. buff.ly/VkNiNdg
December 2, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Did you catch our webinar on enrollment shifts? A new @EdWeek.org article highlights a core finding: the biggest enrollment declines are in the wealthiest 20% of districts, with little sign of rebound. buff.ly/VkNiNdg
Reposted by Abigail Francis
Happening today at 3pm ET / 12pm PT! edworkingpapers.com/webinar-series
Be the first to hear who’s joining the new EdWorkingPapers Review Board.
The EdExchange isn’t just a repository of research—it’s a hub for connection. 💡
@joshua-goodman.com @abbyfrancis.bsky.social
Be the first to hear who’s joining the new EdWorkingPapers Review Board.
The EdExchange isn’t just a repository of research—it’s a hub for connection. 💡
@joshua-goodman.com @abbyfrancis.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Happening today at 3pm ET / 12pm PT! edworkingpapers.com/webinar-series
Be the first to hear who’s joining the new EdWorkingPapers Review Board.
The EdExchange isn’t just a repository of research—it’s a hub for connection. 💡
@joshua-goodman.com @abbyfrancis.bsky.social
Be the first to hear who’s joining the new EdWorkingPapers Review Board.
The EdExchange isn’t just a repository of research—it’s a hub for connection. 💡
@joshua-goodman.com @abbyfrancis.bsky.social
Reposted by Abigail Francis
5 years post-pandemic, Massachusetts public schools have seen sustained enrollment declines. Is this a temporary disruption, or did the pandemic change how families evaluate schools?
@joshua-goodman.com, Abigail Francis, & James Wyckoff will dig into the data with Susanna Loeb.
buff.ly/dByipCW
@joshua-goodman.com, Abigail Francis, & James Wyckoff will dig into the data with Susanna Loeb.
buff.ly/dByipCW
November 11, 2025 at 2:02 PM
5 years post-pandemic, Massachusetts public schools have seen sustained enrollment declines. Is this a temporary disruption, or did the pandemic change how families evaluate schools?
@joshua-goodman.com, Abigail Francis, & James Wyckoff will dig into the data with Susanna Loeb.
buff.ly/dByipCW
@joshua-goodman.com, Abigail Francis, & James Wyckoff will dig into the data with Susanna Loeb.
buff.ly/dByipCW
Reposted by Abigail Francis
Thanks to AV and RSF for funding this work, which started as part of my dissertation (linked below). We're so looking forward to being able to inform the use of informal diversion practices in schools!
Lots more to come 🥳
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Lots more to come 🥳
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
October 31, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Thanks to AV and RSF for funding this work, which started as part of my dissertation (linked below). We're so looking forward to being able to inform the use of informal diversion practices in schools!
Lots more to come 🥳
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Lots more to come 🥳
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Published in Economics of Education Review! Building on @joshua-goodman.com's post, we find public school enrollment declines are concentrated in higher-income districts, middle grades, and among White and Asian students. I hope these findings support discussions on the shifting education landscape.
🚨New publication alert🚨
I'm thrilled Economics of Education Review has just published my work w/ @abbyfrancis.bsky.social:
"School enrollment shifts five years after the pandemic"
Abstract below, but read the next few posts for the story told via a handful of graphs.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ec...
I'm thrilled Economics of Education Review has just published my work w/ @abbyfrancis.bsky.social:
"School enrollment shifts five years after the pandemic"
Abstract below, but read the next few posts for the story told via a handful of graphs.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ec...
October 27, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Published in Economics of Education Review! Building on @joshua-goodman.com's post, we find public school enrollment declines are concentrated in higher-income districts, middle grades, and among White and Asian students. I hope these findings support discussions on the shifting education landscape.
Reposted by Abigail Francis
📉 Why did student achievement start declining before COVID? How are school enrollment patterns shifting five years after?
Join us for our Nov 13 EdWorkingPapers webinar featuring James H. Wyckoff, @abbyfrancis.bsky.social, and @joshua-goodman.com
edworkingpapers.com/webinar-series
Join us for our Nov 13 EdWorkingPapers webinar featuring James H. Wyckoff, @abbyfrancis.bsky.social, and @joshua-goodman.com
edworkingpapers.com/webinar-series
October 23, 2025 at 1:03 PM
📉 Why did student achievement start declining before COVID? How are school enrollment patterns shifting five years after?
Join us for our Nov 13 EdWorkingPapers webinar featuring James H. Wyckoff, @abbyfrancis.bsky.social, and @joshua-goodman.com
edworkingpapers.com/webinar-series
Join us for our Nov 13 EdWorkingPapers webinar featuring James H. Wyckoff, @abbyfrancis.bsky.social, and @joshua-goodman.com
edworkingpapers.com/webinar-series
Reposted by Abigail Francis
📢 The votes are in!
EdWorkingPapers email subscribers chose papers by James H. Wyckoff, @abbyfrancis.bsky.social, and @joshua-goodman.com to be featured in our next webinar on Nov 13.
Find out what the topic will be >> edworkingpapers.com/webinar-series
EdWorkingPapers email subscribers chose papers by James H. Wyckoff, @abbyfrancis.bsky.social, and @joshua-goodman.com to be featured in our next webinar on Nov 13.
Find out what the topic will be >> edworkingpapers.com/webinar-series
October 16, 2025 at 7:00 PM
📢 The votes are in!
EdWorkingPapers email subscribers chose papers by James H. Wyckoff, @abbyfrancis.bsky.social, and @joshua-goodman.com to be featured in our next webinar on Nov 13.
Find out what the topic will be >> edworkingpapers.com/webinar-series
EdWorkingPapers email subscribers chose papers by James H. Wyckoff, @abbyfrancis.bsky.social, and @joshua-goodman.com to be featured in our next webinar on Nov 13.
Find out what the topic will be >> edworkingpapers.com/webinar-series
Reposted by Abigail Francis
Want to hear research insights straight from the source, on the issue that matters most to you? 🗳️Sign up to cast your vote and help choose the next #EdWorkingPapers Webinar topic >> mailchi.mp/annenbergins...
September 26, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Want to hear research insights straight from the source, on the issue that matters most to you? 🗳️Sign up to cast your vote and help choose the next #EdWorkingPapers Webinar topic >> mailchi.mp/annenbergins...
Reposted by Abigail Francis
BU's "The Brink" today features my work with @abbyfrancis.bsky.social on continuing public school enrollment challenges.
I worry about the political implications of this change, as well as the long-term effects on public school reputations.
www.bu.edu/articles/202...
I worry about the political implications of this change, as well as the long-term effects on public school reputations.
www.bu.edu/articles/202...
September 2, 2025 at 2:59 PM
BU's "The Brink" today features my work with @abbyfrancis.bsky.social on continuing public school enrollment challenges.
I worry about the political implications of this change, as well as the long-term effects on public school reputations.
www.bu.edu/articles/202...
I worry about the political implications of this change, as well as the long-term effects on public school reputations.
www.bu.edu/articles/202...
Reposted by Abigail Francis
Today's @bostonglobe.com features our recent @wheelockpolicybu.bsky.social working paper on school enrollment trends in MA and US-wide.
@abbyfrancis.bsky.social notes some of this is driven by "increased behavioral issues, especially in middle school years."
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/08/04/m...
@abbyfrancis.bsky.social notes some of this is driven by "increased behavioral issues, especially in middle school years."
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/08/04/m...
August 4, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Today's @bostonglobe.com features our recent @wheelockpolicybu.bsky.social working paper on school enrollment trends in MA and US-wide.
@abbyfrancis.bsky.social notes some of this is driven by "increased behavioral issues, especially in middle school years."
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/08/04/m...
@abbyfrancis.bsky.social notes some of this is driven by "increased behavioral issues, especially in middle school years."
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/08/04/m...
Reposted by Abigail Francis
Want to know how the pandemic has reshaped school enrollment patterns in Massachusetts and nationwide?
Here's Education Next's quick and accessible version of our recent working paper:
www.educationnext.org/school-enrol...
@abbyfrancis.bsky.social @educationnext.bsky.social
Here's Education Next's quick and accessible version of our recent working paper:
www.educationnext.org/school-enrol...
@abbyfrancis.bsky.social @educationnext.bsky.social
July 22, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Want to know how the pandemic has reshaped school enrollment patterns in Massachusetts and nationwide?
Here's Education Next's quick and accessible version of our recent working paper:
www.educationnext.org/school-enrol...
@abbyfrancis.bsky.social @educationnext.bsky.social
Here's Education Next's quick and accessible version of our recent working paper:
www.educationnext.org/school-enrol...
@abbyfrancis.bsky.social @educationnext.bsky.social
My recent article with @joshua-goodman.com on Massachusetts school enrollment shifts was discussed on the Education Gadfly Show! They also highlight @aefplivehandbook.bsky.social, a resource full of rigorous work in education policy. Highly recommend the listen! fordhaminstitute.org/national/res...
#976: A new hub for smarter education policy, with Doug Harris
On this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Doug Harris, director of the National Center for Research on Education Access and Choice (REACH), joins us to discuss a new website aimed at advancing evidence-based education policy and supporting more effective decision-making in schools. Then, on the Research Minute, Meredith Coffey examines new data from Massachusetts that reveal lasting post-pandemic shifts in school enrollment, particularly in the middle grades and in higher-income districts. Recommended content: “AEFP Live Handbook of Education Policy Research” —Association for Education Finance & Policy (AEFP) “School Enrollment Shifts Five Years After the Pandemic” —Abigail Francis and Joshua Goodman, EdWorkingPapers (June 2025) “Analyzing homeschooling demographics and families’ definitions of student success” —Jeff Murray, Thomas B. Fordham Institute “Fixing IES” —Chester E. Finn, Jr., Thomas B. Fordham Institute Feedback Welcome: Have ideas for improving our podcast? Send them to Stephanie Distler at sdistler@fordhaminstitute.org.
fordhaminstitute.org
July 16, 2025 at 8:07 PM
My recent article with @joshua-goodman.com on Massachusetts school enrollment shifts was discussed on the Education Gadfly Show! They also highlight @aefplivehandbook.bsky.social, a resource full of rigorous work in education policy. Highly recommend the listen! fordhaminstitute.org/national/res...
Reposted by Abigail Francis
Last week just-out work by @joshua-goodman.com & @abbyfrancis.bsky.social was featured on the @educationnext.bsky.social podcast. Listen for interesting convo of key insights and implications.
www.educationnext.org/the-educatio...
Full policy brief at: wheelockpolicycenter.org/high-quality...
www.educationnext.org/the-educatio...
Full policy brief at: wheelockpolicycenter.org/high-quality...
July 9, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Last week just-out work by @joshua-goodman.com & @abbyfrancis.bsky.social was featured on the @educationnext.bsky.social podcast. Listen for interesting convo of key insights and implications.
www.educationnext.org/the-educatio...
Full policy brief at: wheelockpolicycenter.org/high-quality...
www.educationnext.org/the-educatio...
Full policy brief at: wheelockpolicycenter.org/high-quality...
Reposted by Abigail Francis
Interested in recent changes in public school enrollment patterns but don't have time to read?
Here's the podcast version, via @educationnext.bsky.social:
Apple podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/26fO...
SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/education-ex...
Here's the podcast version, via @educationnext.bsky.social:
Apple podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/26fO...
SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/education-ex...
The Education Exchange: Public School Enrollments Down 2 Percent Since 2020
Paul E. Peterson interviews Joshua Goodman, Associate Professor of Education and Economics at Boston University
www.educationnext.org
June 30, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Interested in recent changes in public school enrollment patterns but don't have time to read?
Here's the podcast version, via @educationnext.bsky.social:
Apple podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/26fO...
SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/education-ex...
Here's the podcast version, via @educationnext.bsky.social:
Apple podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/26fO...
SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/education-ex...
Excited to share my joint work with @joshua-goodman.com on K-12 enrollment patterns in Massachusetts. Five years after the pandemic began, we're seeing persistent enrollment losses in public schools, especially in the middle school years-trends that mirror what's happening nationally. Check it out!
🔥What’s the only thing hotter than this week’s weather?🔥
Our new @wheelockpolicybu.bsky.social working paper:
“School Enrollment Shifts Five Years After the Pandemic”
In it, BU Wheelock PhD @abbyfrancis.bsky.social and I ask:
Has the pandemic permanently changed families' schooling choices?
Our new @wheelockpolicybu.bsky.social working paper:
“School Enrollment Shifts Five Years After the Pandemic”
In it, BU Wheelock PhD @abbyfrancis.bsky.social and I ask:
Has the pandemic permanently changed families' schooling choices?
June 25, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Excited to share my joint work with @joshua-goodman.com on K-12 enrollment patterns in Massachusetts. Five years after the pandemic began, we're seeing persistent enrollment losses in public schools, especially in the middle school years-trends that mirror what's happening nationally. Check it out!
Last week, I presented on MA K-12 public school enrollment trends at the 'Thriving in the Middle School Years' forum hosted by @buwheelock.bsky.social. Very thankful for thoughtful conversations with teachers, parents, and community members!
@joshua-goodman.com @wheelockpolicybu.bsky.social
@joshua-goodman.com @wheelockpolicybu.bsky.social
April 1, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Last week, I presented on MA K-12 public school enrollment trends at the 'Thriving in the Middle School Years' forum hosted by @buwheelock.bsky.social. Very thankful for thoughtful conversations with teachers, parents, and community members!
@joshua-goodman.com @wheelockpolicybu.bsky.social
@joshua-goodman.com @wheelockpolicybu.bsky.social
Reposted by Abigail Francis
#AEFP2025 has been quite a success. We're really proud of and excited by the work and thoughtful engagement in policy-relevant, rigorous research on display by all of our @buwheelock.bsky.social faculty, students, WEPC alumni, staff and partners. Thanks for a wonderful few days!
March 14, 2025 at 6:30 PM
#AEFP2025 has been quite a success. We're really proud of and excited by the work and thoughtful engagement in policy-relevant, rigorous research on display by all of our @buwheelock.bsky.social faculty, students, WEPC alumni, staff and partners. Thanks for a wonderful few days!
Reposted by Abigail Francis
Objective, comprehensive, rigorous, timely, and useful:
A digital hub for evidence-based education policy research.
#EdResearch #EdPolicy
livehandbook.org
A digital hub for evidence-based education policy research.
#EdResearch #EdPolicy
livehandbook.org
Evidence-Based Education Policy Research | Live Handbook
Explore evidence-based education policy research at our digital hub. Access data-driven insights to improve learning outcomes and shape effective policies.
livehandbook.org
March 12, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Objective, comprehensive, rigorous, timely, and useful:
A digital hub for evidence-based education policy research.
#EdResearch #EdPolicy
livehandbook.org
A digital hub for evidence-based education policy research.
#EdResearch #EdPolicy
livehandbook.org
Reposted by Abigail Francis
@buwheelock.bsky.social at AEFP is off to a great start with a special pre-conference dinner with faculty, students and alumni.
March 13, 2025 at 3:11 AM
@buwheelock.bsky.social at AEFP is off to a great start with a special pre-conference dinner with faculty, students and alumni.