Daniel C. Humphrey

Daniel Humphrey
Daniel C. Humphrey
Education Policy Consultant

Daniel C. Humphrey is an education policy consultant and former director of the Center for Education Policy at SRI International. He is a nationally recognized expert on teacher development, school reform, and urban education, with more than 25 years of experience researching complex educational interventions. He has led large-scale, multiyear evaluations focused on state and federal education policy, educator development, school improvement, and efforts to support low-income and special needs students. Humphrey has served as principal investigator for the evaluation of Massachusetts’ Human Capital Management Initiatives and co-principal investigator for the National Evaluation of the Teacher Incentive Fund for the U.S. Department of Education. His research on California education policy includes studies on peer assistance and review, beginning teacher policies, and multiple analyses of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) since its introduction. A former teacher and school principal, Humphrey earned his EdD in history and education from Teachers College, Columbia University.

updated 2025

Contributing topics
Continuous school improvement & support
Education finance
Educational governance & policy
Educator workforce & effectiveness
Supporting students’ social-emotional, mental & physical health
Understanding, measuring & improving student outcomes
Contributing initiatives
Continuous Improvement and Support Systems in California
COVID-19 Recovery
Getting Down To Facts II
LCFF Research Collaborative
Organizing Schools to Serve Students with Disabilities
Commentary by Daniel C. Humphrey
: In Pandemic’s Wake, California Needs to Rethink System of Support for Schools
: Getting Serious About Teacher Evaluation: A Fresh Look at Peer Assistance and Review
Daniel C. Humphrey in the Media
: Billions of California Education Dollars Unaccounted For
: Researchers Urge Changes to Improve California’s Education Funding Law
: ‘Achievement Gap’ Still Plagues California Schools
: California’s School District Accountability Plans Need More Rigorous Review by County Leaders
: In Pandemic’s Wake, California Needs to Rethink System of Support for Schools
Publications by Daniel C. Humphrey
Crisis Response in California School Districts: Leadership, Partnership, and Community
Crisis Response in California School Districts
Leadership, Partnership, and Community
This study of seven California school districts during the COVID-19 pandemic shows how districts responded in real-time to the crisis and structural racism. Districts showed resourcefulness, collaboration, and commitment to serving students and…
r_hahnel_nov21
What’s Next for the Local Control Funding Formula?
This report examines California's Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) after eight years and suggests refinements to improve equitable funding, opportunities, and outcomes. Based on interviews, research, and data analysis, the report identifies four…
Policy Brief
Navigating the Uncertainty of Reopening Schools
A Guide for Parents, Families, and the Public
This brief provides questions for parents, educators, and the public to consider when deciding whether to reopen schools or support remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Education and health policy experts summarize what is known in these…
Report Humphrey Feb 2020
Promising Policies to Address the Needs of Students with Disabilities
Lessons from Other States
This report discusses the challenges California faces in improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities (SWDs) and how inclusion in general education classrooms has positive benefits. It examines strategies used by Massachusetts, New…