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John Kristof
John M. Kristof serves as a Senior Research Analyst with the Research and Thought Leadership team at EdChoice. His research interests lie in understanding the intricate relationships between school choice and various stakeholders, including students, families, public schools, and education reformers. John frequently authors original research and writing, studies school choice programs, designs and analyzes public opinion and user experience surveys, and oversees the organization’s choice program data collection efforts.
John has shared EdChoice’s expertise by presenting research in diverse settings, engaging with audiences ranging from state legislators to education researchers to education reformers. John’s affiliations include membership in organizations such as the Association for Education Finance and Policy, the Association for Public Policy and Management, and the Midwest Association for Public Opinion Research.
Prior to his time at EdChoice, John served as the Lawrence M. Borst Fellow at the Indiana General Assembly. In this capacity, he provided research support on a wide array of issues, including education finance, special education, teacher compensation, child poverty, and other pertinent education and fiscal matters. A homeschool graduate, John holds a Master of Public Affairs degree in Policy Analysis from Indiana University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Humanities from Indiana Wesleyan University, where he was as a John Wesley Honors Scholar.
Favorite Quote
Favorite Teacher/ Class
Dr. Bressler, Literature
High School Mascot
My cat
Favorite Pastimes
Tennis, soccer, synthpop, chess, and exploring new cities
Inspiration for Joining the Educational Choice Movement
I grew up assuming educating your child required sacrifice. If your child wasn’t thriving in their given school, you probably had to offer up a lot of time, financial security, and maybe a career to provide them their right to a safe and adequate education. I saw these sacrifices a lot, and it’s hard not to wonder how many parents around me wanted a change but didn’t have enough time, money, or knowledge to give. Eventually, I learned things don’t have to be this way—we can empower families to find the education their kids need. I saw choice make a difference in my life and in my friends’ lives. We as a society should gladly celebrate and expand that right.