Cara Jackson

As the Research Manager for the Center for Outcomes Based Contracting (OBC) at SEF, Cara Jackson focuses on developing and using evidence to improve the educational opportunities for all students. Cara oversees the work of the Research Collaborative and OBC's research partners, and generates research insights to support internal continuous improvement efforts. 

Prior to the Center for OBC, Cara worked in both federal and local government agencies and as a Strategic Data Project Fellow. She is a former pre-K and Kindergarten teacher with a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University, a master’s degree from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, and a doctorate from the University of Maryland. 

In addition to her role on the SPARC Center advisory board, Cara is the Past President of the Association for Education Finance and Policy, serves as an Associate Editor for the Education Finance and Policy journal, and is a member of CALDER’s policymakers council.