Kevin R. Kosar, Ph.D., is a researcher and writer in Washington, DC. He is the author of Ronald Reagan and Education Policy, Failing Grades: The Federal Politics of Education, and Whiskey: A Global History. He has testified before Congress, and published on education policy, quasi governmental entities, privatization, and government communications and propaganda. Kosar’s writings have appeared in scholarly and professional journals, such as Presidential Studies Quarterly, Public Administration Review, Federal History, Teachers College Record, and Postal History; and in popular media, including The Weekly Standard magazine, the Chicago Sun-Times, New York Press, and Philadelphia Inquirer newspapers, and online publications, such as History News Network…(read more)

Ronald Reagan entered the presidency promising to return K-12 education policy back to states and localities. Ironically, Reagan ended up both expanding and legitimizing the federal role in schooling.

How did this happen? Kevin R. Kosar, author of Failing Grades and the creator of the Federal Education Policy History website, answers this question…(read more)

“‘Whiskey,’ at 144 pages, is the perfect primer for the person who wants to quickly learn the basics.”—Washington Post

Be it bourbon, rye, corn, Irish, or Scotch, whiskey has an infamous and celebrated history from a sometimes lethal, herb-infused concoction to a high-quality, meticulously crafted liquor.

In Whiskey: A Global History, Kevin R. Kosar delivers an informative, concise narrative of the drink’s history, from its obscure medieval origins to…(read more)

Presidents from both parties, supported by parents, teachers, and civic leaders have tried and generally failed to increase student achievement through federal policy-making. Supposedly path-breaking legislation to “leave no child behind” has hardly made a dent in the problem. What’s going on? Kevin R. Kosar delves into the political maneuvering behind the crafting of federal education standards policy…(read more)

Bridging the Gap: Higher Education and Career-Centered Welfare Reform, examines current welfare policy and considers the use of higher education as a tool for moving low-income persons into self-supporting careers. These conference proceedings feature contributions from a variety of stakeholders in the academic, political, not-for-profit, public administration… (read more)