Amanda Parsad

Amanda Parsad provides methodological leadership, technical oversight, and quality assurance across AIR’s portfolio of education research and evaluation studies. She leads, designs, and conducts experimental, quasi-experimental, and descriptive studies that inform education policy and practice. Parsad’s research focuses on evaluating education programs and policies designed to help students prepare for, transition into, succeed in, and afford postsecondary education, as well as studies related to school choice, career and technical education, and improving student outcomes from K-12 through postsecondary education. Across her work, she helps ensure that findings are scientifically rigorous, clearly communicated, and useful for policymakers, practitioners, and other decisionmakers.

Parsad currently serves in leadership roles on several large-scale federal and foundation-funded studies. She is a co-principal investigator for studies examining federal student loan repayment and borrower outcomes, a statewide FAFSA graduation requirement, and a university-wide student advising initiative designed to improve degree completion. She serves as director of analysis for the national evaluation of career and technical education under Perkins V and for a descriptive policy study of the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program, the nation’s only publicly funded private school voucher program. She is also project director for an evaluation of a platform-based attendance intervention designed to improve student attendance and achievement. 

Much of Parsad's research has focused on identifying strategies that help students transition into and succeed in postsecondary education. She has designed studies to assess the effectiveness of programs aimed at preparing students for college, increasing access and success for students historically underrepresented in postsecondary education, and improving college affordability. Parsad studied potential improvements to two prominent federal college access programs, Upward Bound and GEAR UP. She led the design and analysis of two randomized controlled trials within these programs to examine how program changes could increase college enrollment and persistence for students from low-income households. Her work has also included studies of federal financial aid policies, dual enrollment, workforce training, and other initiatives intended to improve postsecondary access, persistence, and success.

Parsad also has substantial experience evaluating K-12 education programs. Previously, she served as a senior advisor on a descriptive study aimed at increasing school-based mental health services and creating safe and supportive learning environments. She has also provided methodological leadership and quality assurance on studies of Title III implementation, Regional Educational Laboratories, and Comprehensive Centers. Her past work also includes evaluations of K-12 STEM summer programs, higher education STEM initiatives for graduate students, postdocs, and early career faculty, as well as adult education and workforce development programs. Across projects, she is recognized for combining methodological rigor with practical insights that help policymakers, practitioners, and funders use evidence to improve programs and outcomes.