Morgan Polikoff Joins Arnold Ventures as K‑12 Research and Policy Fellow

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 16, 2026) – Education policy expert Morgan Polikoff has joined Arnold Ventures as a K‑12 Research and Policy Fellow for the 2026 – 2027 academic year. Morgan brings deep expertise in K‑12 education policy and research, including standards, assessment, and accountability systems, and COVID-19 recovery.

“Throughout his career, Morgan has combined rigorous research with a commitment to informing policy debates with evidence,” said Kelly McManus, executive vice president of education at Arnold Ventures. ​“He is widely respected for his work on K‑12 education policy and his ability to translate complex research into actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and the public. Morgan will bring valuable new expertise to our team as we explore new work in K‑12 policy.”

Polikoff is a professor of education policy at the University of Southern California (USC) Rossier School of Education and co-director of the USC EdPolicy Hub. His research has examined a broad range of issues affecting K‑12 education, including academic standards, assessments, accountability systems, educational recovery efforts following the COVID-19 pandemic, and the political dynamics that shape education policymaking.

He is the author of Beyond Standards (Harvard Education Press, 2021), as well as more than 60 peer-reviewed journal articles and hundreds of policy briefs, reports, commentaries, and other public-facing publications. His quantitative and mixed-methods research has been supported by more than $20 million in federal and foundation grants.

Polikoff’s contributions to the field have earned him recognition from the American Educational Research Association for both early-career research and outstanding public communication. He has also received awards from USC recognizing excellence in mentoring and teaching. He earned his Ph.D. in education policy from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and secondary education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

“To enact effective education policy, we need to know what works for students,” said Polikoff. ​“I am excited to work alongside the Arnold Ventures Education team to help advance research-informed policies that improve educational outcomes and opportunities for children across the country.”

Polikoff will continue to serve as a professor of education policy at the USC Rossier School of Education and co-director of the USC EdPolicy Hub while advising Arnold Ventures on K‑12 education research, grantmaking, and state policy efforts.