Mariana Barragan
@marianabat.bsky.social
Senior Research Specialist at IWERC at U of Illinois. Education Research Methods. Ed policy.
Steering committee member UChicago Consortium on School Research. Illinois P-20 Council member.
Ex-ITAM. Stanford & UCLA alumn.
Steering committee member UChicago Consortium on School Research. Illinois P-20 Council member.
Ex-ITAM. Stanford & UCLA alumn.
Pinned
Mariana Barragan
@marianabat.bsky.social
· Nov 15
Mariana Barragan Torres | Discovery Partners Institute
Mariana specializes in using data and advanced statistical methods to analyze educational systems in Illinois, providing insights to inform state policy and decision-making. At IWERC, she is part of t...
dpi.uillinois.edu
Hi Blue Sky!
I’m a research specialist at IWERC where I lead the learning renewal portfolio and study K-12, transitions to post secondary education, and teacher prep programs. More about my work here: dpi.uillinois.edu/team/mariana...
I’m a research specialist at IWERC where I lead the learning renewal portfolio and study K-12, transitions to post secondary education, and teacher prep programs. More about my work here: dpi.uillinois.edu/team/mariana...
I’m excited to share that I’ll be sharing more about our absenteeism work at #AERA2026 next April! @iwerc.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 10:27 PM
I’m excited to share that I’ll be sharing more about our absenteeism work at #AERA2026 next April! @iwerc.bsky.social
Reposted by Mariana Barragan
I am the Ghost of Education Research, here to remind you that Standards for Excellence in Education Research exist.
ies.ed.gov/use-work/sta...
ies.ed.gov/use-work/sta...
Standards for Excellence in Education Research | IES
Rigorous education research that is transparent, actionable, and focused on consequential outcomes has the potential to dramatically improve student achievement. Since 2002, the Institute of Education...
ies.ed.gov
October 31, 2025 at 8:58 PM
I am the Ghost of Education Research, here to remind you that Standards for Excellence in Education Research exist.
ies.ed.gov/use-work/sta...
ies.ed.gov/use-work/sta...
Reposted by Mariana Barragan
October 15, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Reposted by Mariana Barragan
💡 NEW REPORT! Read more about absenteeism and student learning in a post-pandemic context. dpi.uillinois.edu/applied-rese...
October 14, 2025 at 6:17 PM
💡 NEW REPORT! Read more about absenteeism and student learning in a post-pandemic context. dpi.uillinois.edu/applied-rese...
Reposted by Mariana Barragan
And using student fixed effects we show that the relationship between the number of days absent indeed change, and in fact, increased between 2019 and 2023. Into other word, for every additional day absent students in 2023 lose more in their test scores than they would in 2019, in ELA and Math.
October 14, 2025 at 6:44 PM
And using student fixed effects we show that the relationship between the number of days absent indeed change, and in fact, increased between 2019 and 2023. Into other word, for every additional day absent students in 2023 lose more in their test scores than they would in 2019, in ELA and Math.
October 14, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Reposted by Mariana Barragan
More highlights from a thought-provoking SREE conference:
➡️ @marianabat.bsky.social shared how pandemic emergency spending related to achievement outcomes.
➡️Sarah Cashdollar provided research on robust and equitable dual credit in Illinois.
➡️Meg Bates participated in a panel on RPPs.
➡️ @marianabat.bsky.social shared how pandemic emergency spending related to achievement outcomes.
➡️Sarah Cashdollar provided research on robust and equitable dual credit in Illinois.
➡️Meg Bates participated in a panel on RPPs.
October 13, 2025 at 2:58 PM
More highlights from a thought-provoking SREE conference:
➡️ @marianabat.bsky.social shared how pandemic emergency spending related to achievement outcomes.
➡️Sarah Cashdollar provided research on robust and equitable dual credit in Illinois.
➡️Meg Bates participated in a panel on RPPs.
➡️ @marianabat.bsky.social shared how pandemic emergency spending related to achievement outcomes.
➡️Sarah Cashdollar provided research on robust and equitable dual credit in Illinois.
➡️Meg Bates participated in a panel on RPPs.
Reposted by Mariana Barragan
I have studied this for... 3 years now? Maybe more. Every month I ask AI to summarize two research papers, then I deep read those papers myself.
They do a bad job. Their summary always misses something... Pretty often something big. Some include false information, too.
It's not a summary.
They do a bad job. Their summary always misses something... Pretty often something big. Some include false information, too.
It's not a summary.
I have endless circular arguments about this.
Them: “It’s written a summary.”
Me: “No, it’s written something tuned to look like a summary.”
Them: “But it looks like a summary.”
Me: <sigh>
We’re not used to computers lying to us.
Them: “It’s written a summary.”
Me: “No, it’s written something tuned to look like a summary.”
Them: “But it looks like a summary.”
Me: <sigh>
We’re not used to computers lying to us.
October 12, 2025 at 6:50 PM
I have studied this for... 3 years now? Maybe more. Every month I ask AI to summarize two research papers, then I deep read those papers myself.
They do a bad job. Their summary always misses something... Pretty often something big. Some include false information, too.
It's not a summary.
They do a bad job. Their summary always misses something... Pretty often something big. Some include false information, too.
It's not a summary.
Reposted by Mariana Barragan
quantitative methods, qualitative methods, mixed methods
October 7, 2025 at 10:00 AM
quantitative methods, qualitative methods, mixed methods
In addition, she was the first woman researcher I knew of as a child, and I have to believe that influenced what I do today. #thankyouJane
Jane Goodall, the gentle disrupter whose research on chimpanzees redefined what it meant to be human
theconversation.com/jane-goodall...
theconversation.com/jane-goodall...
Jane Goodall, the gentle disrupter whose research on chimpanzees redefined what it meant to be human
Without formal scientific training, Goodall upended the study of animal behavior. She also inspired countless people to protect nature.
theconversation.com
October 2, 2025 at 2:46 PM
In addition, she was the first woman researcher I knew of as a child, and I have to believe that influenced what I do today. #thankyouJane
Reposted by Mariana Barragan
🚨The PEER Center is hiring! We currently have two positions posted (details below). We're a #highered research center (led by @srcellini.bsky.social @jdmatsudaira.bsky.social) focused on generating actionable research for state, federal policy. Put your data skills to work for an important purpose!
October 1, 2025 at 1:56 PM
🚨The PEER Center is hiring! We currently have two positions posted (details below). We're a #highered research center (led by @srcellini.bsky.social @jdmatsudaira.bsky.social) focused on generating actionable research for state, federal policy. Put your data skills to work for an important purpose!
Reposted by Mariana Barragan
#Econsky check the Economics Department at the University of Arkansas is hiring two open-rank Economics professors, including an opening in public economics and public policy.
Public Economics/Public Policy:
lnkd.in/eQTEgPM9
Macroeconomics:
lnkd.in/ewxxNSh8
Public Economics/Public Policy:
lnkd.in/eQTEgPM9
Macroeconomics:
lnkd.in/ewxxNSh8
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
lnkd.in
September 15, 2025 at 5:50 PM
#Econsky check the Economics Department at the University of Arkansas is hiring two open-rank Economics professors, including an opening in public economics and public policy.
Public Economics/Public Policy:
lnkd.in/eQTEgPM9
Macroeconomics:
lnkd.in/ewxxNSh8
Public Economics/Public Policy:
lnkd.in/eQTEgPM9
Macroeconomics:
lnkd.in/ewxxNSh8
Reposted by Mariana Barragan
The National Center for Education Statistics is seeking talented assessment professionals for a variety of roles providing technical direction and oversight for NAEP assessment content development, test administration, test design, and reporting and analysis.
www.usajobs.gov/job/844947600
www.usajobs.gov/job/844947600
Education Research Analyst GS-1730-14 (DE)
<p>There are two positions located in the U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences in Washington, DC. The Assessment Development Expert and the Assessment Administration ...
www.usajobs.gov
September 15, 2025 at 12:01 PM
The National Center for Education Statistics is seeking talented assessment professionals for a variety of roles providing technical direction and oversight for NAEP assessment content development, test administration, test design, and reporting and analysis.
www.usajobs.gov/job/844947600
www.usajobs.gov/job/844947600
Using IL student level data, we’ve warned about this for a long time. High school test scored had been declining even before the onset of the pandemic dpi.uillinois.edu/applied-rese...
September 9, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Using IL student level data, we’ve warned about this for a long time. High school test scored had been declining even before the onset of the pandemic dpi.uillinois.edu/applied-rese...
Reposted by Mariana Barragan
Join us, University of Chicago Consortium on School Research, and an amazing group of panelists as we discuss the implications of research findings on the enduring economic value of the college degree and other pathways to work.
myforefront.org/event/precar...
myforefront.org/event/precar...
Precarious Prospects: College Completion and the Bridge to Employment - Forefront
What does it take to ensure that college truly opens doors to opportunity? This in-person event will explore the findings...
myforefront.org
September 4, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Join us, University of Chicago Consortium on School Research, and an amazing group of panelists as we discuss the implications of research findings on the enduring economic value of the college degree and other pathways to work.
myforefront.org/event/precar...
myforefront.org/event/precar...
Reposted by Mariana Barragan
New: The Trump administration in recent weeks has quietly begun cancelling dozens of competitive education grants for projects already in motion.
Hundreds more grant awards, worth more than $1 billion, appear delayed, and could be next on the chopping block. www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
Hundreds more grant awards, worth more than $1 billion, appear delayed, and could be next on the chopping block. www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
Trump Cancels Dozens of Education Grants—With More Terminations on the Horizon
More than $1 billion in already-awarded grant funding has yet to flow as expected.
www.edweek.org
August 27, 2025 at 9:21 PM
New: The Trump administration in recent weeks has quietly begun cancelling dozens of competitive education grants for projects already in motion.
Hundreds more grant awards, worth more than $1 billion, appear delayed, and could be next on the chopping block. www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
Hundreds more grant awards, worth more than $1 billion, appear delayed, and could be next on the chopping block. www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
Reposted by Mariana Barragan
September 22: We're joining our partners at @iwerc.bsky.social to share our new research on the economic outcomes of Illinois high schoolers at a session hosted by the CCAPS (College and Career Access, Persistence, and Success) learning group.
Learn more: myforefront.org/event/precar...
Learn more: myforefront.org/event/precar...
Precarious Prospects: College Completion and the Bridge to Employment - Forefront
What does it take to ensure that college truly opens doors to opportunity? This in-person event will explore the findings...
myforefront.org
August 26, 2025 at 5:55 PM
September 22: We're joining our partners at @iwerc.bsky.social to share our new research on the economic outcomes of Illinois high schoolers at a session hosted by the CCAPS (College and Career Access, Persistence, and Success) learning group.
Learn more: myforefront.org/event/precar...
Learn more: myforefront.org/event/precar...
Reposted by Mariana Barragan
En una entrevista con Univisión, @marianabat.bsky.social responde: ¿vale la pena el costo de ir a la universidad? Aquí pueden escuchar su respuesta que resume los resultados del más reciente estudiode IWERC y el @uchiconsortium.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xh3...
Nuevo estudio revela si vale la pena pagar la universidad en EEUU
YouTube video by Univision Chicago
www.youtube.com
July 28, 2025 at 4:08 PM
En una entrevista con Univisión, @marianabat.bsky.social responde: ¿vale la pena el costo de ir a la universidad? Aquí pueden escuchar su respuesta que resume los resultados del más reciente estudiode IWERC y el @uchiconsortium.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xh3...
I think AI is dangerous because it prevents our brains to develop important skills and fosters misinformation. But it is also dangerous for the environment. I knew this but the infographics (bottom of article) helped realized how bad it is. www.businessenergyuk.com/knowledge-hu...
ChatGPT Energy Consumption Visualized - BEUK
www.businessenergyuk.com
July 3, 2025 at 3:26 PM
I think AI is dangerous because it prevents our brains to develop important skills and fosters misinformation. But it is also dangerous for the environment. I knew this but the infographics (bottom of article) helped realized how bad it is. www.businessenergyuk.com/knowledge-hu...
Using “differences in fields” as an excuse to not use a method, a test, or not being thorough in your research seems like a lame excuse (and absolutely false).
July 2, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Using “differences in fields” as an excuse to not use a method, a test, or not being thorough in your research seems like a lame excuse (and absolutely false).
Very niche, but the fact the Norway Chess women’s have the same prize money than men’s , and they show their games simultaneously is amazing 🤩
June 6, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Very niche, but the fact the Norway Chess women’s have the same prize money than men’s , and they show their games simultaneously is amazing 🤩
Some have asked me about the judicial reform in Mexico. And well, why there was definitely a need for a reform, this is the least efficient way to do it, and not necessarily a win for democracy. I found this video from @nytimes.com that explains well why:
www.facebook.com/watch/?v=119...
www.facebook.com/watch/?v=119...
June 2, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Some have asked me about the judicial reform in Mexico. And well, why there was definitely a need for a reform, this is the least efficient way to do it, and not necessarily a win for democracy. I found this video from @nytimes.com that explains well why:
www.facebook.com/watch/?v=119...
www.facebook.com/watch/?v=119...
"[...]going from 0% to 100% mandated masking in a county reduces COVID deaths by 0.57 per 100k people. [...] the removal of mandates during this time contributed to 21800 COVID deaths through the rest of 2022, 9% of the U.S. total that year." Great paper from @imbernomics.bsky.social et al.
Spillovers from Public Health Policies in Schools: Evidence from COVID Mask Mandates
Founded in 1920, the NBER is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to conducting economic research and to disseminating research findings among academics, public policy makers, an...
www.nber.org
June 2, 2025 at 2:16 PM
"[...]going from 0% to 100% mandated masking in a county reduces COVID deaths by 0.57 per 100k people. [...] the removal of mandates during this time contributed to 21800 COVID deaths through the rest of 2022, 9% of the U.S. total that year." Great paper from @imbernomics.bsky.social et al.