Education Policy Research
Education represents one of the largest expenditure categories for states and localities around the country. Tennessee provides funding for the education pipeline beginning at the pre-kindergarten level through k-12 and the post-secondary systems, ending with programs that provide training for adults. CBER has a long history of research on various facets of education policy on both the revenue and expenditure sides of the budget. Our newest initiative is development of a longitudinal data system, in cooperation with the Tennessee Department of Education, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and other state agencies, funded by a grant under the federal Race to the Top program. Those interested in education policy are encouraged to review this site for our latest research.
Selected Publications
(reverse chronological order)“New Schools, New Students, New Teachers: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Charter Schools,” Celeste K. Carruthers. Economics of Education Review, forthcoming.
“The Qualifications and Classroom Performance of Teachers Moving to Charter Schools,” Celeste K. Carruthers. Education Finance and Policy, forthcoming.
“Jackpot? The Impact of Lottery Scholarships on Enrollment and Earnings in Tennessee,” Donald J. Bruce and Celeste K. Carruthers. Working Paper. 2011.
“Which Factors Contribute to the High School Dropout Process? A Study of Completers and Noncompleters,” David R. Dupper and Matthew N. Murray. Knoxville, TN: College of Social Work and Center for Business and Economic Research, The University of Tennessee, May 2011.
“Academic Program Supply and Occupational Demand Projections: 2008–2018,” Matthew N. Murray, LeAnn Luna and Vickie Cunningham. Prepared in cooperation with the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. Knoxville, TN: Center for Business and Economic Research, The University of Tennessee, April, 2011.
“A Forecast of Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Expenditures.” A joint publication of CBER-UT, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, and the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation. Knoxville, TN: Center for Business and Economic Research, The University of Tennessee, August 2010.
“Supply and Demand for Teachers in Tennessee.” (A joint publication of CBER-UT, the Tennessee Department of Education, and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission). Knoxville, TN: Center for Business and Economic Research, The University of Tennessee, December 2009.
“The Local Government Response to the Basic Education Program: Equity, Spending and Local Tax Effort,” Matthew N. Murray and Laura Ullrich. Prepared for the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations. Knoxville, TN: Center for Business and Economic Research, The University of Tennessee, October 2008.
“Business Attitudes Toward Education in Tennessee,” Matthew N. Murray, Vickie C. Cunningham and Bryan Shone, Knoxville, TN: Center for Business and Economic Research, The University of Tennessee, July 2008.
“Selected Fiscal Issues in the BEP 2.0,” William F. Fox, Katherine Harper, Zachary W. Richards, Ann Boyd Watts. A Report to the Governor's Office of State and Planning Policy. Knoxville, TN: Center for Business and Economic Research, The University of Tennessee, July 2008.
“Education Crossroads,” Matthew N. Murray and CBER staff. Prepared for the Comptroller of the Treasury. Knoxville, TN: Center for Business and Economic Research, The University of Tennessee, December 2007.
“Understanding Tennessean's Attitudes about Education,” William F. Fox, Brad Kiser, and Stacia Couch. A Report to the Tennessee Office of the Comptroller of the Treasury. Knoxville, TN: Center for Business and Economic Research, The University of Tennessee, February 2006.
"Stability and Equity in Education Finance Formulas,” William F. Fox, Matthew N. Murray, and Patricia Price, Journal of Education Finance 27 (2002): 1013-1028.
“The Implications of Expanded School Choice,” Matthew N. Murray and Sally Wallace. Public Finance Review 25 (1997): 459-473.
“Analysis of the Basic Education Formula: Stability, Equity and Adequacy” William F. Fox, Matthew N. Murray and Patricia A. Price. Prepared for the Tennessee Department of Education and the State Board of Education. Knoxville, TN: Center for Business and Economic Research, The University of Tennessee, February, 1997.
“Theoretical and Empirical Dimensions of School Choice,” Matthew N. Murray and Sally Wallace, Research Paper 55, Policy Research Center, College of Business Administration, Georgia State University, September 1995.
"New Directions: Reform and Choice in Education" (edited volume), Matthew N. Murray with invited contributors, Survey of Business, vol. 28 (Spring 1993): 2-3. Knoxville, TN: Center for Business and Economic Research, The University of Tennessee.
“Reform and Choice in Education: Fulfilling Our Expectations,” Matthew N. Murray, Survey of Business, vol. 28 (Spring 1993): 2-3. Knoxville, TN: Center for Business and Economic Research, The University of Tennessee.
“Including Expenditure Needs and Tax Capacity in Tennessee's Education Funding Formula,” William F. Fox and Matthew N. Murray. Prepared for the Tennessee Department of Education. Knoxville, TN: Center for Business and Economic Research, The University of Tennessee, January 1991.