H. Alix Gallagher

Alix Gallagher is the director of education policy and outcomes at Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE), where she leads applied research to strengthen teaching, learning, and educational systems across California. She has spent more than two decades studying policies and practices aimed at improving instruction and student outcomes, with a particular focus on developing and sustaining a high-quality teacher workforce. Her research has examined traditional and alternative teacher preparation pathways, teacher residencies, certification, and ongoing professional learning

Gallagher has focused on district capacity for instructional improvement, including leading a study for Getting Down to Facts III on how California supports districts to improve mathematics instruction and applying a systems-improvement lens to understand how districts could respond to emerging opportunities and challenges related to AI. She has also directed long-term research partnerships with California Education Partners and the CORE Districts as they worked to strengthen mathematics and literacy instruction as well as to improve secondary school outcomes across diverse California districts. School finance and resource allocation have also been consistent threads throughout her work. In addition to appearing in reports and policy briefs, her research has been published by leading journals, including the Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness, Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis and the Journal of Teacher Education.

Gallagher began her career in education as a teacher in the Houston Independent School District and received a PhD in education from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. 

updated 2025