Michah W. Rothbart

Michah W. Rothbart is an assistant professor of public administration and international affairs in the Maxwell School at Syracuse University and is a senior research associate in the Center for Policy Research. His research and teaching interests are in public finance and financial management, particularly in the field of education policy.

His current research includes studying inefficiency in public middle schools, the relationships between social welfare participation, pre-kindergarten utilization, and school readiness, the consequences of COVID-19 on student health and academic outcomes, the causes, effects, and measurement of student absenteeism, and the impact of universal free meals on schools and students. He received a Ph.D. in public administration from New York University and an M.P.A. and a B.S. degree from Cornell University.

Co-Investigator. “COVID-19, vaccinations and school/community resources: Children's longitudinal health and education outcomes using linked administrative data.” NIH, National Institute of Nursing Research NU01 NR020443. (September 2021 – June 2026; $3,525,000).

Co-Investigator. “SNAP Uptake and School Readiness in Virginia.” Economic Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. (August 2018 – September 2020; $100,000).

Principal Investigator. “Does Universal Free School Meals Reduce Childhood Obesity?” with Amy Schwartz. Funded by the Tufts/University of Connecticut Research Innovation and Development Grants in Economics Center (Tufts/UConn RIDGE Center). 2017-2019.

“Holding Hospitals Accountable? Evidence on the Effectiveness of Minimum Charity Care Provision Laws.” Michah W. Rothbart and Nara Yoon. (2021). Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory 32(1): 58-74. 

“The Impact of School Choice on Public School Budgets: Evidence from Open Enrollment in New York City.” Michah W. Rothbart. (2020). Public Budgeting & Finance 40(4): 3-37.

“Let Them Eat Lunch: The Impact of Universal Free Meals on School Meal Participation, Obesity and Academic Achievement.” Amy Ellen Schwartz and Michah W. Rothbart. (2020). Journal of Policy Analysis and Management 39(2): 376-410.

“Does School Finance Reform Reduce the Race Gap in School Funding?” Michah W. Rothbart. (2020). Education Finance and Policy 15(4): 675-707.

"What a Difference a Grade Makes: Evidence from New York City's Restaurant Grading Policy." Michah W. Rothbart, Amy Ellen Schwartz, Thad Calabrese, Zachary Papper, Tod Mijanovich, Rachel Meltzer, and Diana Silver. (2019). Public Administration Review 79(5): 651-665. 

"What are the Financial Implications of Public Quality Disclosure? Evidence from New York City’s Restaurant Food Safety Grading Policy." Rachel Meltzer, Michah W. Rothbart, Amy Ellen Schwartz, Thad Calabrese, Diana Silver, Tod Mijanovich, and Meryle Weinstein. (2019). Public Finance Review 47(1): 170-201.

“Do Top Dogs Rule in Middle School? Evidence on Bullying, Safety, and Belonging." Amy Ellen Schwartz, Leanna Stiefel, and Michah W. Rothbart. (2016). American Educational Research Journal - Social and Institutional Analysis 53(5): 1450-1484.