Research

Each published article has its own page with citation details and a link to the publisher version.

Journal articles

1. 2026
   Get a Skill, Get a Job, Get Ahead? Evaluating the Effects of Virginia's Workforce-Targeted Free College Program

   Bonilla, S. & Sparks, D.

   Economics of Education Review, 112, 102798
2. Cultural Relevance at Scale: The Effects of an Ethnic Studies Expansion on Academic Outcomes

   Bisht, B., Bonilla, S., Kim, H.E., & Penner, E.K.

   American Educational Research Journal
3. 2025
   The Role of Policy Design in Free College Programs: Evidence from Virginia

   Sparks, D. & Bonilla, S.

   Education Finance and Policy
4. The Effects of At-Scale Career Pathway Investments on the Transition from High School to College

   Bonilla, S. & Thim, A.

   Education Finance and Policy, 20(4), 609–635
5. 2022
   The Politics of COVID-19 and Educational Inequities

   Bonilla, S., McDermott, K.A., & Gerstl-Pepin, C.

   Peabody Journal of Education, 97(3), 251–256
6. COVID-19 and Career Preparation

   Dougherty, S.M., Ecton, W.G., Bonilla, S., & McGuinness, S.

   Peabody Journal of Education, 97(3), 326–343
7. 2021
   Ethnic Studies Increases Longer-run Academic Engagement and Attainment

   Bonilla, S., Dee, T.S., & Penner, E.K.

   Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), 118(37), e2026386118
8. Fighting 'Bad Science' in the Information Age

   Tseng, A.S., Bonilla, S., & MacPherson, A.

   Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 58(8), 1152–1178
9. 2020
   The Dropout Effects of Career Pathways: Evidence from California

   Bonilla, S.

   Economics of Education Review, 75, 101972
10. The Effects of School Reform Under NCLB Waivers: Evidence From Focus Schools in Kentucky

    Bonilla, S. & Dee, T.

    Education Finance and Policy, 15(1), 75–103

Under review

1. Culturally Relevant Education Discourages Enrollment Loss

   Bonilla, S., Dee, T.S., & Pyne, J.

   Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis — Revise & resubmit
2. Affording to Stay: Experimental Evidence on a Cost-of-Living Grant in Community Colleges

   Bonilla, S. & Minaya, V.

   Education Finance and Policy — Revise & resubmit — Pre-registered RCT
3. Aligned Pathways, Unequal Earnings: Gendered Transitions from Community College to Work

   Bonilla, S. & Sparks, D.

   AERA Open — Revise & resubmit
4. Causal Evidence on High School Ethnic Studies and Civic Participation

   Bonilla, S.

   AERA Open — Under review

Working papers

1. 2025
   Mental Health and Basic Needs as Barriers to Persistence and Credit Accumulation in Community Colleges

   Bonilla, S. & Minaya, V.

   EdWorkingPaper 24-925, Annenberg Institute at Brown University
2. 2026
   Impacts of Need-Based Financial Aid for Non-Tuition Expenses

   Bonilla, S., Bennett, E., & Chan, M.

   Pre-registered study

Book chapter

1. 2025
   Career and Technical Education: History, Theory, Evidence, and the Path Ahead

   Bonilla, S., Dougherty, S.M., & Ecton, W.J.

   In L. Cohen-Vogel, J. Scott, & P. Youngs (Eds.), Handbook of Education Policy Research (2nd ed.)

Reports and briefs

1. 2025
   The distribution and allocation of teachers in the School District of Philadelphia: Findings and implications for equitable access to high-quality instruction

   Bonilla, S.
2. 2021
   Engagement and attainment: The longer-term causal effects of ethnic studies

   Bonilla, S.

   Research Snapshot Brief, Student Experience Research Network
3. 2020
   Guidance and Supports for Students Moving into Postsecondary

   Bonilla, S., Carruthers, C.K., & Baker, D.J.

   Annenberg Institute for School Reform COVID-19 Briefs for State and District Policymakers