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Matthew Hendricks
Matthew D. Hendricks
My interests are primarily policy related. In my research, I focus on questions that have policy implications, particularly in education. For example, my dissertation research attempts to measure one of the potential effects of teacher performance pay programs. In future research, I hope to develop methods that objectively and accurately measure teacher performance and to discover ways in which these measures can be used to improve public education. In the classroom, my goal is to produce well-trained economists by providing students up-to-date and rigorous training that focuses on developing the tools necessary to produce rigorous analysis. In my microeconomics and labor courses, I encourage students to predict policy effects within the context of a theoretical model which clearly identifies assumptions about individual behavior. In my econometrics course, I attempt to provide students with the skills necessary to test the predictions of theoretical models, measure policy effects, and identify causal relationships. I have no doubt that if my students are able to absorb these skills that they will benefit personally, but it is my hope that by gaining these skills my students will have a positive influence on important policy and business decisions in the future.
Education and Degrees Earned
- PhD Applied Economics, University of Minnesota 2011
- BA Economics, St. John’s University 2005
Areas of Academic Specialty
- Econometrics
- Economics of Education
- Personnel Economics
- Labor Economics
Areas of Research Focus
My research interests are primarily rooted in the areas of education policy, labor economics, and personnel economics. My current research is focused on developing objective and accurate teacher performance measures and analyzing how school administrators and districts might use these measures in hiring decisions, tenure decisions, curriculum development, professional development, and performance pay programs.
Previous Relevant Work Experience
-
Research Assistant, Human Capital Research Collaborative – University of Minnesota
Seminars and Conference Presentations
- March 2011 Association for Education Finance and Policy (AEFP), Seattle, WA
- November 2010 “Performance Pay and Teacher Selection", Center for Human Resources and Labor Studies Fall Seminar Series, Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota, MN
- March 2010 American Education Finance Association (AEFA), Richmond, VA
- April 2005 National Conference on Undergraduate Research, Roanoke, VA
- March 2005 Midwest Economics Association, Milwaukee, WI
Professional Affiliations
- Member, American Economic Association (AEA)
- Member, Association for Education Finance and Policy (AEFP)
- Referee, British Journal of Industrial Relations