If you've ever wondered how the places we live, learn, and work are all connected, Heather Schwartz has some answers.
As vice president and director of the RAND Education, Employment, and Infrastructure (EEI) division, Schwartz heads a wide-ranging team of experts tackling real-world challenges—from classrooms and careers to housing affordability to a fair justice system and the infrastructure that keeps our towns running.
Her experience as a teacher in Philadelphia sparked a passion for cross-sector research. In the classroom, she saw firsthand how neighborhood challenges like poverty and housing instability shaped students' experiences. “Neighborhood policy is school policy,” she says. “The challenges outside the school walls walk right in with the students.”
That realization inspired her to bridge the worlds of education and housing through research, and ultimately to lead a division at RAND dedicated to building vibrant, thriving communities.
Today, Schwartz's division brings together economists, engineers, sociologists, psychologists, and other experts to deliver rigorous, objective research that empowers decisionmakers to create stronger, more prosperous neighborhoods.
Fall means back to school for teachers, students, and families. What trends are you seeing in education today?
Education is evolving quickly right now. The future of education is more personalized, unbundled, and more online. After several years of low usage, teachers are now rapidly adopting AI for teaching, and students are using AI for their schoolwork. Interestingly, despite this, a majority of students and parents believe that AI use will harm students' development of critical thinking skills. Additionally, since the pandemic, one-to-one computing has become the norm, with every student equipped with a device and personalized instruction often powered by technology.
Big changes are also underway to traditional brick-and-mortar public schools. Microschools, publicly funded vouchers to attend private schools, learning pods, and flexible “buffet-style” education means students will attend a broader mix of educational settings—including online, in person, and through after-school programs. These innovations are creating fresh opportunities to tailor learning experiences and reach more students—but also pose big risks and challenges, especially in guaranteeing all students have access to high-quality instruction.
How does RAND track what's happening in schools around the nation?
We're able to keep our finger on the pulse of America's public schools by connecting directly with thousands of teachers, principals, and superintendents every year. And now, with the launch of the American Youth Panel and the American Parents Panel, we're also capturing fresh perspectives from students and families, giving us a truly comprehensive view of public education from every angle.
One of our most dynamic tools is the American Instructional Resources Survey, which reaches about 9,000 public school teachers annually. This survey offers an in-depth look at what teachers are teaching, the curricula they use, and the training they receive. As the only teacher panel of its kind in the U.S., it has become the go-to resource for understanding what's really happening in classrooms nationwide.
How do these surveys actually improve schools?
By partnering with states, RAND has delivered actionable recommendations that are raising the bar for instruction, curriculum, and teacher training. Just last year, we discovered that over half of teachers are now using high-quality curricula—a milestone that would have seemed impossible only a decade ago. That's a huge win for students and educators. Through dedicated, step-by-step collaboration, we're helping states deliver better academic lessons for students, which is one of the most important types of impacts we can have.
By partnering with states, RAND has delivered actionable recommendations that are raising the bar for instruction, curriculum, and teacher training.
Now onto another major concern for many Americans: affordable housing. Can you share an example of critical RAND research in this space?
A recent RAND study spotlights the challenge—and opportunity—of making housing more affordable in California, where building an average apartment costs nearly three times as much as in Texas. The main culprit isn't just materials or labor, but time: Projects in California face lengthy approval processes and construction timelines, often taking years longer than in other states. Layers of regulation, approvals, and fees—so-called “soft costs”—can quickly add up. But there's good news: Streamlining these steps could unlock real progress, making housing more accessible not only in California, but across the country. Our research is helping policymakers to pinpoint bottlenecks and take practical action, paving the way for more families to find affordable homes nationwide.
Education, employment, justice, and infrastructure are complex topics. Why put them all under one research division?
These topics are deeply connected. Schools, housing, jobs, roads, and the justice system are the lifeblood of healthy, thriving neighborhoods.
A successful school depends on safe roads, strong infrastructure, and reliable transportation—kids can only benefit from education if they can get there. Healthy economies, where people are employed and have financial stability, starts with high-quality education and a strong workforce. Successful communities also need fair and effective justice systems, with alternatives to incarceration, community violence prevention, and support for reentry and reintegration. Just like water and electricity, these elements fuel prosperity and help neighborhoods flourish.
Bringing these areas together lets us break down barriers and focus our efforts where they matter most. We're able to see the bigger picture and identify solutions that might otherwise be missed. I'm excited to build on RAND's rich legacy in domestic policy research. By joining forces across these fields, we have the power to make a meaningful, lasting difference in people's lives.
