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brianholzman.bsky.social
Brian Holzman
@brianholzman.bsky.social
240 followers 300 following 43 posts
Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University, College of Education & Human Development || Soc of ed, higher ed, ed policy, race/immigration/language, & RPPs || "a noted dog enthusiast"

www.brianholzman.com
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brianholzman.bsky.social
Brian Holzman @brianholzman.bsky.social · Jun 23
1/
🚨New paper from me in Education Finance & Policy:
"EMERGEing Educational Opportunities: The Effects of Social Capital on Selective College Outcomes"

doi.org/10.1162/edfp...

#EdPolicy #HigherEd #SocEd
Improving college access for high-achieving students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds remains a critical challenge. While some research suggests that providing information alone can influence college access, other studies highlight the need for more comprehensive support throughout the college search and decision-making process. This study uses a sharp regression discontinuity design to examine the impact of personalized assistance on selective college enrollment, application behaviors, and SAT scores among high-achieving, low-income, and first-generation high school students in a large urban school district. Results indicate that admission to an intensive, multi-year college access program led to significant increases in applications to selective colleges, the number of applications submitted, and enrollment at selective colleges (Cohen’s d effect sizes: 0.32–0.58 SD). Further analyses reveal positive effects on enrollment in colleges with higher median SAT scores, lower admission rates, and higher graduation rates. These findings highlight the importance of sustained, personalized college advising programs in supporting low-income, first-generation students to access selective colleges and advance educational equity.
brianholzman.bsky.social
Check out @melissadgentry.bsky.social's job market paper on transportation for people with disabilities ⬇️

She also conducts great research in the economics of education, including work on a parental engagement RCT.
melissadgentry.bsky.social Melissa Gentry @melissadgentry.bsky.social · 3d
I am excited to announce I am on the #EconJobMarket this year! 🎉 My research explores economic barriers for people with disabilities at the intersection of labor, public, and health economics.

My #EconJMP examines how reliable transportation transforms outcomes for this population. 🧵1/6
Photo shows the title page for an academic paper titled "Driving Inclusion: The Effect of Improved Transportation for People with Disabilities" by Melissa Gentry. The abstract is as follows: People with disabilities face substantial barriers to economic and social participation. I explore the extent to which these barriers are overcome by the availability of reliable and flexible transportation, which may serve as ``reliability insurance'' in case other modes of transit fail. Leveraging the roll-out of Uber, I use a stacked difference-in-differences approach to show that the availability of reliable and flexible transportation leads to improvements in social and economic participation through increased marriage rates and labor force participation, and reduced reliance on public assistance. The reduction in public assistance outweighs expected rideshare costs, lending support to the recent push towards public-private partnerships in the transportation space.
November 7, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Reposted by Brian Holzman
socarxivbot.bsky.social
Digital Incentives in Surveys: Response Rates and Sociodemographic Effects in a Large-Scale Parental Nudge Intervention: https://osf.io/rtj4e
November 3, 2025 at 9:22 AM
brianholzman.bsky.social
🚨 New preprint!

We examine how Texas’s high-school endorsement system (similar to majors)—especially STEM—shapes college choice. Rather than expanding opportunity, the STEM endorsement largely reflects pre-existing academic advantages and rebrands old sorting practices.
October 21, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Reposted by Brian Holzman
brianholzman.bsky.social
The Texas A&M College of Education & Human Development Ph.D. program in Educational Administration, PK-12 Leadership & Policy will host an informational webinar on Tuesday, September 30th at 7:00 PM CT.

Join us to learn more about our program! Register here: bit.ly/4p2OMuw
Informational Webinar - Ph.D. in Educational Administration, Emphasis in PK-12 Leadership & Policy at Texas A&M University. Save the Date: Tuesday, September 30 from 7:00-8:00 PM Central Time. Register by visiting bit.ly/4p2OMuw.
September 2, 2025 at 5:32 PM
brianholzman.bsky.social
📢 Are you interested in studying Educational Leadership & Policy? Come join me next Tuesday evening at 7pm CT to learn about our PhD program at Texas A&M!

Register here: bit.ly/4p2OMuw
September 22, 2025 at 3:18 PM
brianholzman.bsky.social
🚨 New preprint!

We examine how English learner (EL) status shapes access to college-level coursework (AP, IB, dual credit) in high school—and how this contributes to postsecondary enrollment & completion gaps.

#SocEd #HigherEd #EdPolicy #EL
September 10, 2025 at 2:48 PM
brianholzman.bsky.social
The Texas A&M College of Education & Human Development Ph.D. program in Educational Administration, PK-12 Leadership & Policy will host an informational webinar on Tuesday, September 30th at 7:00 PM CT.

Join us to learn more about our program! Register here: bit.ly/4p2OMuw
Informational Webinar - Ph.D. in Educational Administration, Emphasis in PK-12 Leadership & Policy at Texas A&M University. Save the Date: Tuesday, September 30 from 7:00-8:00 PM Central Time. Register by visiting bit.ly/4p2OMuw.
September 2, 2025 at 5:32 PM
brianholzman.bsky.social
📢 New working paper with Daniel Klasik & Angel Jones:

"The Many Paths to College Enrollment: Re-Conceptualizing the Transition to College"

We propose a new college choice model that captures the diverse, nonlinear pathways students take to college.

edworkingpapers.com/ai25-1269
Traditional college choice models often fall short in capturing the complex paths that today’s student population takes to postsecondary enrollment. This paper identifies the limitations of the predominant frameworks, such as Hossler and Gallagher’s (1987) three-phase model, arguing that they reflect an outdated enrollment-management perspective, which fails to capture the experiences of many students. We propose a new, student-centered conceptual framework rooted in higher education research that better reflects the realities of the contemporary college-going process. Our model consists of six elements: (1) expectations, (2) academic preparation and the development of “admissions capital,” (3) college knowledge, (4) information gathering and application set formation, (5) application and admission, and (6) enrollment. The framework recognizes that students’ postsecondary pathways are often indirect and shaped by a range of individual and contextual factors. Moreover, it allows for interactions among the elements and emphasizes the enduring influence of educational expectations. By re-conceptualizing the transition to college, our model offers a more nuanced lens for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to understand and support an increasingly diverse student body and address persistent inequities in college access and choice.
August 20, 2025 at 2:49 PM
brianholzman.bsky.social
Postdoc at the Houston Education Research Consortium at Rice University: bit.ly/45voJmA
Postdoctoral Associate - Kinder Institute for Urban Research
The Houston Education Research Consortium (HERC), a program of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research (KIUR) at Rice University, is seeking a full-time Postdoctoral Fellow with expertise in education...
bit.ly
August 14, 2025 at 7:54 PM
brianholzman.bsky.social
Houston Education Research Consortium representation at ASA! #rpp #soced
August 10, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Reposted by Brian Holzman
mememedianmode.bsky.social
Postdoc opening in education for the upcoming year: ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/592...
Postdoctoral Scholar - Evaluation Center
Position Information: We invite applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Scholar position in the College of Education at the University of Kentucky. Housed with the College’s Evaluation Center, this ...
ukjobs.uky.edu
August 1, 2025 at 12:41 AM
brianholzman.bsky.social
Our paper “Gaps in the College Application Gauntlet” (w Daniel Klasik & Rachel Baker) is in this #RIHE collection showcasing research using #NCES data—an invaluable resource for understanding postsec opportunity.

Articles are open access for 4 weeks: bit.ly/RIHE-NCES
July 25, 2025 at 4:08 PM
brianholzman.bsky.social
🚨 New preprint!

We examine gender gaps in high school STEM pathways & whether senior-year guidance counseling was associated with greater persistence among girls—especially those from low-income backgrounds & underserved communities.

#EdPolicy #STEMEducation #SocEd
July 23, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Reposted by Brian Holzman
aeraedresearch.bsky.social
AERA is sharing this statement issued by former NCES commissioner Dr. Peggy Carr on the “devastating shutdown and decimation of a critical national institution.” Read it here: www.aera.net/Portals/38/P...
July 16, 2025 at 10:03 PM
brianholzman.bsky.social
📢 ICYMI: Our new regression discontinuity analysis on social capital, low-SES students, & selective college access ⬇️
brianholzman.bsky.social Brian Holzman @brianholzman.bsky.social · Jun 23
1/
🚨New paper from me in Education Finance & Policy:
"EMERGEing Educational Opportunities: The Effects of Social Capital on Selective College Outcomes"

doi.org/10.1162/edfp...

#EdPolicy #HigherEd #SocEd
Improving college access for high-achieving students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds remains a critical challenge. While some research suggests that providing information alone can influence college access, other studies highlight the need for more comprehensive support throughout the college search and decision-making process. This study uses a sharp regression discontinuity design to examine the impact of personalized assistance on selective college enrollment, application behaviors, and SAT scores among high-achieving, low-income, and first-generation high school students in a large urban school district. Results indicate that admission to an intensive, multi-year college access program led to significant increases in applications to selective colleges, the number of applications submitted, and enrollment at selective colleges (Cohen’s d effect sizes: 0.32–0.58 SD). Further analyses reveal positive effects on enrollment in colleges with higher median SAT scores, lower admission rates, and higher graduation rates. These findings highlight the importance of sustained, personalized college advising programs in supporting low-income, first-generation students to access selective colleges and advance educational equity.
June 26, 2025 at 3:55 PM
brianholzman.bsky.social
1/
🚨New paper from me in Education Finance & Policy:
"EMERGEing Educational Opportunities: The Effects of Social Capital on Selective College Outcomes"

doi.org/10.1162/edfp...

#EdPolicy #HigherEd #SocEd
Improving college access for high-achieving students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds remains a critical challenge. While some research suggests that providing information alone can influence college access, other studies highlight the need for more comprehensive support throughout the college search and decision-making process. This study uses a sharp regression discontinuity design to examine the impact of personalized assistance on selective college enrollment, application behaviors, and SAT scores among high-achieving, low-income, and first-generation high school students in a large urban school district. Results indicate that admission to an intensive, multi-year college access program led to significant increases in applications to selective colleges, the number of applications submitted, and enrollment at selective colleges (Cohen’s d effect sizes: 0.32–0.58 SD). Further analyses reveal positive effects on enrollment in colleges with higher median SAT scores, lower admission rates, and higher graduation rates. These findings highlight the importance of sustained, personalized college advising programs in supporting low-income, first-generation students to access selective colleges and advance educational equity.
June 23, 2025 at 1:42 PM
brianholzman.bsky.social
Congrats to Peggy Carris who defended a great dissertation on sense of belonging in higher ed & will start a faculty position this fall! 🥳
tamusoci.bsky.social Texas A&M Sociology @tamusoci.bsky.social · Jun 19
Congratulations, Peggy and Cody! 🎉🎉
We’re so proud to now call you Doctor! Wishing you all the best in this exciting next chapter! 👏🎓
June 19, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Reposted by Brian Holzman
aaronsojourner.org
EXTREMELY BAD NEWS for economic research, per former BLS Commissioner @ericagroshen.bsky.social on LinkedIn.

BLS is suspending access to its restricted data "for the forseeable future." Applies to projects through the Federal Statistical Research Data Centers & onsite projects with BLS.
#EconSky
June 6, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Reposted by Brian Holzman
brianholzman.bsky.social
📢 POSTDOC AT TEXAS A&M

A postdoc position is open at the Education Research Center, which is evolving into a broader education policy center. The center is led by Profs. Dan Bowen & Andy Kwok.

Please share widely!

🔗Job ad: bit.ly/3ROsEoh

🌐ERC site: erc.cehd.tamu.edu (currently being updated)
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Job TitlePostdoctoral Research Associate Agency Texas A&M University Department Teaching, Learning And Culture (Tlac) Proposed Minimum SalaryCommensurate Job LocationCollege Station, Texas Job Typ...
tamus.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com
May 7, 2025 at 12:50 AM
brianholzman.bsky.social
📢 POSTDOC AT TEXAS A&M

A postdoc position is open at the Education Research Center, which is evolving into a broader education policy center. The center is led by Profs. Dan Bowen & Andy Kwok.

Please share widely!

🔗Job ad: bit.ly/3ROsEoh

🌐ERC site: erc.cehd.tamu.edu (currently being updated)
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Job TitlePostdoctoral Research Associate Agency Texas A&M University Department Teaching, Learning And Culture (Tlac) Proposed Minimum SalaryCommensurate Job LocationCollege Station, Texas Job Typ...
tamus.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com
May 7, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Reposted by Brian Holzman
aeraedresearch.bsky.social
AERA, in partnership with the Society for Research on Educational Effectiveness, has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Education over the unlawful dismantling of the Institute of Education Sciences. www.aera.net/Newsroom/AER...
AERA Files Lawsuit Against Education Department
www.aera.net
April 14, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Reposted by Brian Holzman
publiccitizen.bsky.social
BREAKING: We filed a lawsuit against Trump’s Department of Education for its unlawful dismantling of the Institute of Education Sciences.

IES is the backbone for education research in the US.

Secretary McMahon has no authority to override Congress and shut it down.
April 4, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Reposted by Brian Holzman
econroy.bsky.social
Incredibly important action from IHEP, @aefpweb.bsky.social and @publiccitizen.bsky.social to fight the administration's dismantling of the Institute of Education Sciences.

#EduSky

www.citizen.org/news/lawsuit...
Lawsuit Challenges Trump Admin’s Dismantling of Institute of Education Sciences - Public Citizen
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Association for Education Finance and Policy (AEFP) and the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP)…
www.citizen.org
April 4, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Reposted by Brian Holzman
aeraedresearch.bsky.social
In a new letter, AERA and other education research leaders call on Congress to protect the nation’s education data, research infrastructure, and knowledge base, by safeguarding the IES and broader Education Department staff, leadership, and mission. www.aera.net/Portals/38/E...
The US Capitol Building
March 26, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Reposted by Brian Holzman
carajackson.bsky.social
"IES data remain an essential source of basic information about the operation of K–12 and pre-school programs." www.educationnext.org/doge-targets...
DOGE Targets Agency That Funds One-Third of Key Education Research
Above all, IES’s critical data collection operations need to be preserved
www.educationnext.org
March 24, 2025 at 10:33 PM