Selected software and research by Alejandro Peña

Software

teadata

I built an open-source Python library that connects Texas school data across sources and years. Its data model and query language support research on districts, campuses, transfer flows, and geography.

Python · SQLAlchemy & PostgreSQL

Molt

I’m building a compiler that turns Python into native binaries and WebAssembly.

Compiler development · Python & Rust

comma.ai compression

I’ve been working on comma.ai’s lossy video compression challenge. Three of my submissions have appeared on its leaderboard.

Ongoing research · PRs 107, 110 & 140

Research

The Lost Decade (and a Half)

I wrote the 2024 report on educator pay, did the analysis, and built the responsive district tables.

Research, writing & web development

CharterCostTracker

I built the data collection and reporting system for estimating how charter transfers affect district revenue.

Data engineering & school finance

Texas charter schools: 30 years

I did all the quantitative research and analysis for OSOD’s report on 30 years of charter schools in Texas, examining school finance, staffing, and accountability.

Research · Our Schools, Our Democracy

Software + research

Data for Public Education

I lead a research and software practice focused on Texas public schools. I build the data tools, conduct the analysis, and work with clients on reports and public-facing applications.

About the practiceOSOD’s 30-year charter report

Work with me

I build data pipelines and web applications, investigate policy questions, and turn the findings into reports, maps, and tools people can use.

Work index

Software

  • teadata2026

    A Python library for connecting Texas school data across sources and years, with district and campus models, a query language, and geographic analysis.

    Python, SQLAlchemy, PostgreSQL, GeoPandas

  • Molt2026

    A compiler for turning a supported subset of Python into standalone native binaries and WebAssembly.

    Rust, Python, Wasm, LLVM

  • comma.ai Video Compression Challenge2026

    Ongoing video-compression research, with three submissions that have appeared on comma.ai’s leaderboard.

    Python, PyTorch, MLX, CUDA, entropy coding

  • Data for Public Education2024–present

    Research, data tools, and web applications for Texas public education.

    Django, Python, React, TypeScript, MCP, PostgreSQL

  • Free Invoice Maker2026

    An invoice tool I’m building for people and AI agents, with visual editing, natural-language input, and programmable templates.

    TypeScript, Astro, React, MCP, Cloudflare Workers

  • FMTools & FMRuntime2026

    Python tools, a Swift runtime, and a local chat interface for working with Apple’s on-device language models.

    Python, Swift, FFI, Apple Foundation Models

  • Notifications2026

    A TypeScript library for sending one message through multiple services and reporting what succeeded, failed, or was skipped.

    TypeScript, Cloudflare Workers

  • Action Pages2026

    An unfinished experiment in campaign forms, page editing, and integrations.

    TypeScript, Astro, Cloudflare Workers, D1

  • Reproq2025

    Background tasks for Django and PostgreSQL, with a Go worker and a terminal dashboard.

    Django, Python, Go, PostgreSQL

  • Texas Inflation Calculator2023

    A browser calculator for comparing purchasing power across years using CPI data published by the Texas Comptroller.

    Vue.js, Chart.js, HTML

  • Travis County Voter Data2019

    A voter-data application for searching registration and election history, mapping records, and building lists.

    Python, Go, Flask, SQLAlchemy, PostgreSQL, SQLite

  • TCDP Donor Identification2018

    An archived Flask application for matching donor records to voter-file records by phone number.

    Flask, Python, SQLite

Research & policy

Design

  • Respect Campaign Map2022

    A district map connecting Texas educators with local pay research and campaign resources.

    Interactive web, JavaScript, data visualization

Writing