News & media
Coverage of Jacob's research on the educator workforce, college and career readiness, and student attendance.
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Associated PressThe New York TimesThe Wall Street JournalEducation WeekThe Texas TribuneHouston ChronicleThe Dallas Morning NewsAustin American-StatesmanThe 74The Hechinger Report
Presenting research findings, Texas Tech University
Opinion · The Dallas Morning News
Teacher pay-for-performance is working in Texas →
Jacob's commentary on Texas' Teacher Incentive Allotment, where his research found test scores rose and effective teachers were more likely to stay.
The uncertified teacher surge
Jacob's statewide findings on uncertified teachers shaped coverage of House Bill 2, the state's overhaul of the teacher pipeline.
CBS News Texas · 2025
Why are Texas schools hiring uncertified teachers? Not enough certified ones are applying
The Texas Tribune · 2025
Texas schools have leaned on uncertified teachers to fill vacancies. Lawmakers want to put a stop to it.
K-12 Dive · 2025
What can be learned from Texas' surge in uncertified teachers?
EverythingLubbock · 2024
Texas Tech professor finds growing numbers of uncertified teachers in classrooms
Fordham Institute · 2024
The Texas-sized surge in uncertified teachers
Attendance & absenteeism
National and state coverage of Jacob's work on why students miss school and what it costs them.
Associated Press · 2025
School attendance plummeted during Texas measles outbreak
Hechinger Report · 2025
7 insights about chronic absenteeism, a new normal for American schools
"Almost every district in Texas is a district of innovation. That is what has allowed for the influx of uncertified teachers."Read in The Texas Tribune ↗
"This wasn't traditional patchwork reform — it tackled the teacher pipeline from its inception. It was a Texas-sized problem, and House Bill 2 is a Texas-sized solution."Read in The 74 ↗
Quick resources. The full CV and the latest policy briefs.