Krista Kaput is a senior analyst at Bellwether in the Policy and Evaluation practice area.

Krista focuses on a wide range of education issues, including state education funding formulas, special education funding, higher education funding, teacher preparation, college and career readiness, and early childhood education. Her research and commentary have been covered by Education Week, The 74, Pew Charitable Trusts, and The Minnesota Star Tribune, among others. 

Prior to Bellwether, Krista was the research director for EdAllies in Minneapolis. There, she spearheaded new research projects from conception to execution, including design, analysis, and communication of findings. Her work resulted in influential reports and policy briefs on teacher preparation and licensure, college and career readiness, and district responses to the COVID-19 pandemic school closures. In fall 2021, she was recognized as a Top Outstanding Young Minnesotan for her leadership and dedication to advancing education equity. 

Earlier in her career, Krista served as policy director for Education Evolving, where she led legislative initiatives on competency-based education, innovation zones, teacher-powered schools, and alternative teacher preparation programs. Krista began her career as a special education teacher and Teach For America corps member in Chicago. This hands-on experience informs her current work and provides valuable insights into the practical implications of education policies. 

Krista holds a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Minnesota, a master’s degree of education from Harvard University, a bachelor’s degree in history and anthropology from the University of Chicago, and a certificate in education finance from Georgetown University.