Michael W. Kirst is Professor Emeritus of Education and Business Administration at Stanford University. Kirst served as President of the California State Board of Education from 2011 through 2019. Previously, he was a member of the California State Board of Education (1975–1982) and its president from 1977 to 1981. A prolific writer, Kirst has authored ten books, including The Political Dynamics of American Education (2009) and Higher Education and Silicon Valley: Connected but Conflicted (2017). As a policy generalist, Kirst has published articles on school finance politics, curriculum politics, intergovernmental relations, as well as education reform policies.

Kirst received his bachelor’s degree in Economics from Dartmouth College, his MPA in Government and Economics from Harvard University, and his PhD in Political Economy and Government from Harvard.

LPI Senior Fellows are invited based on their demonstrated expertise in the field and engagement with LPI’s mission to advance equitable, high-quality education through nonpartisan, evidence-based research. Beyond their collaborative efforts with LPI, the views and opinions expressed by LPI Senior Fellows are their own and do not reflect those of the institute.