Jonathan Johnson, The $50 Study

Jonathan Johnson, The $50 Study

From Flip-ed by Mike Chalupa and LaShawn Gardner-Bowser

January 21, 2026 · 32 min · Season 2 · Episode 1

About this episode

Jonathan Johnson discusses The $50 Study, a significant trial on cash transfers to high school students aimed at improving economic mobility.

Jonathan Johnson is the Founder and CEO of Rooted School Foundation, where he leads The $50 Study—the largest randomized controlled trial of unconditional cash transfers to high school students ever conducted in the U.S. A first-generation college graduate from California, Jonathan became an educator to give other young people the same chance at economic mobility he fought for. After founding high schools in New Orleans and Indianapolis, he launched The $50 Study in response to pandemic...

People in this episode

Hosts: Mike Chalupa, LaShawn Gardner-Bowser

Guest: Jonathan Johnson

Topics covered

  • unconditional cash transfers
  • education
  • economic mobility
  • high school
  • randomized controlled trial

Keywords

  • cash transfers
  • high school students
  • economic mobility
  • Rooted School Foundation
  • randomized controlled trial

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Rooted School Foundation

Places: California, New Orleans, Indianapolis

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