Maria Lewis conducts research that draws from her background in law and education, particularly relating to equity and diversity. Specifically, her research employs multi-methodological approaches to explore ways laws and policies hinder support for achievement equity within educational contexts. Her dissertation examined the implementation and provision of federal special education law, with particular concerns about student discipline. Prior to joining the faculty at Penn State, Maria served as a School Administration Consultant for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, where she was responsible for special education procedural compliance and complaint investigations.