Francis A. Pearman II

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Francis A. Pearman II
Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Education,
Stanford University

Francis A. Pearman II is an assistant professor in the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University. He previously served as a faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh, where he contributed to research on urban education and social inequalities. His research examines how poverty and inequality shape the life chances of children, particularly in rapidly changing cities. Pearman is especially interested in leveraging big data to open new avenues of inquiry in education research. He also has experience as a classroom teacher, which informs his scholarly perspectives on educational policy and practice.​ His award-winning work has been published in leading journals, including American Educational Research Journal, Review of Educational Research, and Sociology of Education, and has been featured in prime media outlets such as The Economist and The Atlantic. Pearman earned his BS in education from the University of Virginia and both his MEd and PhD in education from Vanderbilt University.​

updated 2025

Contributing topics
Continuous school improvement & support
Educational governance & policy
Supporting students’ social-emotional, mental & physical health
Understanding, measuring & improving student outcomes
Contributing initiatives
Continuous Improvement and Support Systems in California
COVID-19 Recovery
Francis A. Pearman II in the Media
: Enrollment Down. Achievement Lackluster. Should This School Close?
: Looking at the Racial and Ethnic Dimension of School Closures in California
: Race Is a Big Factor in School Closures. What You Need to Know
: Research Finds Racial Disparity in School Closures
: Majority-Black Schools Outpace Others in School Closures Nationwide, PACE-Stanford Analysis Shows
Publications by Francis A. Pearman II
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Declining Enrollment, School Closures, and Equity Considerations
Declining student enrollment is leading to a loss of revenue in many California school districts. To address ongoing budget shortfalls, many districts have consolidated or shuttered schools,and others are contemplating doing so. A new report and…
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Examining Racial (In)equity in School-Closure Patterns in California
This study investigates racial disparities in school closures both within California and nationally. Findings highlight an alarming pattern: Schools enrolling higher proportions of Black students are at significantly increased risk of closure…