Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons^™

Evaluating The Impact Of Research Equipment Availability On Scientific Rigor, Reproducibility, And Innovation Across Stem Disciplines, Lyndi G. Hraban

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Research infrastructure plays a central role in shaping the quality and innovative capacity of scientific research. This study evaluates how the availability of research equipment influences scientific rigor, reproducibility, and innovation across STEM disciplines. Drawing on literature from science-to-science research, policy studies, and discipline-specific analyses, this project synthesizes existing scholarship to explore the relationship between access to infrastructure and key research outcomes. Findings across the literature indicate that access to advanced and well-maintained equipment can strengthen scientific rigor by enabling more precise measurements, improved experimental control, and the implementation of standardized research protocols. Shared and centralized facilities are also associated …

Resources Shaping Science Teachers' Design And Implementation Of Scientific Argumentation Instruction: A Systematic Review, Nannan Fan, Eric A. Kirk, Minghui Zhu, Troy D. Sadler

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

Scientific argumentation is a core scientific practice recognized by multiple national science standards, yet many science teachers experience challenges integrating it into their classrooms. This systematic review examined the resources identified by research as shaping teachers’ argumentation instruction and how these resources were reported to support teachers’ classroom practice. Guided by an adapted version of the Pedagogical Design Capacity Framework, we analyzed 79 empirical studies published between 1983 and 2025. Resources were categorized as personal, instructional, or contextual, and their specific supportive aspects were grouped according to their reported contributions. Personal resources included teachers’ beliefs, knowledge of argumentation, and pedagogical …

Good News! Students With Disabilities Are Overrepresented In Private School Choice Programs, Patrick J. Wolf, John Kristof, Alex Wolf, Alli Aldis

Education Reform Faculty and Graduate Students Publications

• Critics predicted that, once private school choice was implemented on a large scale, students with disabilities would become highly concentrated in the public school system. That hasn’t happened.
• We conservatively estimate that 258,844 students with disabilities are participating in private school choice programs.
• Students with disabilities are being served in the private school choice sector at a rate higher than that in the public school sector.
• Private school choice programs provide important educational options for many students with disabilities, helping ensure they can access the education that best meets their needs.

Enrollment Profile Report Fall 2026, Systems Intelligence And Data Analytics, University Of Nebraska At Omaha

Enrollment Reports

No abstract provided.

The Pal Compass For Navigating Ai In Education, Anny Fritzen Case, Christine Dawson, Deborah Vriend Van Duinen

Teacher Education Faculty Scholarship

A framework for reflecting on AI in Education through Purpose, Agency, and Learning.

Exploring Digital Media Literacy And Its Impact On Pedagogical Innovation And Creativity, Suparno Suparno, Tuty Sariwulan, Bagus Shandy Narmaditya, Ari Saptono, Saparuddin Muchtar, Muhammad Ridlo, Dingot Hamonangan Ismail

Journal of Media Literacy Education Pre-Prints

Enhancing teachers’ innovative work behavior is prominent in promoting educational quality. This exploratory study aims to understand the linkage between digital media literacy, creativity, and innovative work behavior among teachers in Indonesia. The data were obtained from teachers using an online self-administered survey. In addition, the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling with AMOS software. The results of this study indicate that there is a positive and significant influence between digital media literacy and teachers’ innovative work behavior. Indeed, creativity can also be a predictor of innovative work behavior among teachers in Indonesia. This study also notes the connection …

Generative Artificial Intelligence, Academic Integrity And Authentic Assessment Within An Irish University, Louise Nagle, Brigid Crowley, Laura Rafferty, Susan Horgan, Colin O'Brien

Publications

Academics need both an overarching policy on Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) use in teaching and learning, yet agency in its application across various disciplines. Clarity on the use of the technology for both students and staff is therefore a challenge and characterised by uncertainty given how its application is still unfamiliar. This research examines the organisational context in which Gen AI is being embraced and was conducted by the digital teaching support functions within an Irish university. Students and staff were surveyed (n=1,746) on various aspects of digital use within their education and workplace, including Gen AI. …

Education System Improvement Tool, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

School and system improvement

The Education System Improvement Tool (ESIT) identifies the practices most critical to highly effective education systems. It is recognised that across the world, education systems operate in diverse contexts with varying governance arrangements. Therefore, the ESIT should be interpreted in context, recognising that effective system practices are shaped by the characteristics, priorities and circumstances of each education system and the communities it serves. Informed by international research findings and the lived experiences of education system leaders, the ESIT supports stakeholders across education systems to review, reflect on and strengthen strategies and practices that contribute to system-wide improvement and improved outcomes …

The Predictability Gap: A Correlation Study Of Supporting Pillars And Repertoire Success In Abrsm Practical And Performance Grades Piano Examinations, Arthur Chit-Ho Ng

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigated the structural predictability trajectories within the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) graded piano framework. Utilizing an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, the project analyzed a longitudinal dataset (N = 449) to investigate variance in student achievement and the emergence of developmental plateaus, conceptually identified as the “Reading Wall.” Quantitative modeling revealed distinct structural divergences within the syllabus architecture: the traditional Practical Grades maintained a stable correlational signal between technical components and outcomes (r = .826 at Grade 7), whereas the digital Performance Grades yielded a non-significant association (p = .355). Furthermore, Grade 5 Music …

Pisa In Brief Australia 2025: Student Performance, Lisa De Bortoli, Catherine Underwood

OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Australia

PISA in Brief summarises the key findings from PISA 2025 for Australian students. It compares Australia’s performance with other participating countries and economies, examines trends over time, and highlights differences in achievement across Australian states and territories and key demographic groups. PISA uses 2 main measures to describe student achievement. Mean scores show overall performance, while proficiency levels (ranging from below Level 1 to Level 6) explain the types of knowledge and skills students can typically demonstrate. This report focuses on differences that are statistically significant (in other words, differences that are unlikely to have occurred by chance). The report …

Pisa 2025: A First Look At Student And School Characteristics For Australia, Lisa De Bortoli, Catherine Underwood

OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Australia

This report presents a first overview of Australia’s PISA 2025 contextual results. It focuses on selected constructs related to 15-year-old students’ attitudes towards school and their experiences in the classroom and at school, including sense of belonging at school, disciplinary climate in science classes, perseverance, feeling safe at school, enjoyment of science, exposure to bullying, negative school climate, and time spent on digital devices by purpose. It also provides initial insights into equity in education in Australia from an international perspective, and Australian students’ self-reported effort. The report compares Australia’s results with those of other participating countries and economies, as …

Pisa 2025: Reporting Australia's Results. Volume I: Student Performance, Lisa De Bortoli, Catherine Underwood, Jonas Bertling

OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Australia

This Volume I report presents Australia’s PISA 2025 results at the international and national level, including results for key student groups. It examines recent trends since PISA 2022 and longer-term trends since reading (2000), mathematics (2003) and science (2006) were first assessed as the focal domains. The results in this report are based on a nationally representative sample of Australian 15-year-old students, stratified using variables of jurisdiction; school sector; geographic location; student sex composition; and a measure of socioeconomic background.

Fall 2026 Census Enrollment Indicators Campus Report Tables 1-3, Systems Intelligence And Data Analytics, University Of Nebraska At Omaha

Enrollment Reports

No abstract provided.

Understanding Primary Level Learner Progression In Scotland: Insights From Scottish Online Formative Assessments (Sofa) Data From The Highland Local Authority, Alexander Towne, Sladana Krstic

Assessment and Reporting

This report presents findings from more than 30,000 Scottish Online Formative Assessment (SOFA) assessments completed across one Scottish local authority during the 2024-2025 academic year. It demonstrates how SOFA can be used to monitor learning progression across numeracy, reading and writing, identify attainment gaps between learner groups, and provide detailed diagnostic evidence to support classroom practice, school improvement and local authority panning. Although based on a single local authority, the study illustrates how curriculum-aligned formative assessment can complement national assessment evidence by providing richer insight into learner development.

Exploring Experiences Of Home Education Parents In Homeschool Curriculum Modification: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Anne Elizabeth Smoak

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to explore the experiences of home education parents modifying the curriculum at their homeschool. The theory guiding this study is the expectancy-value theory, as it shows the connection between attainment value, intrinsic value, and utility value in the context of parents who choose to modify home education. The central research question is as follows: What are the lived experiences of parents modifying curriculum at their homeschool? The examination of these experiences was explored using a qualitative methodology for the research, and the chosen research design for this study is a transcendental phenomenological …

Exploring Social Cognitive Learning In Simulation-Enhanced Interprofessional Education: A Case Study, William Nicholas Vasios Iii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this single-case design study is to explore the impact of observational and vicarious learning during simulation-enhanced interprofessional education (Sim-IPE) on the confidence and perceived self-efficacy of nursing students and IM residents at a southeastern university. Guided by Bandura’s social cognitive learning theory, which addresses the personnel, behavioral, and environmental factors of Sim-IPE, while answering the central research question: How does observational and vicarious learning during Sim-IPE impact participant confidence and perceived self-efficacy? This qualitative single-case study was conducted at a university in the southeastern United States, using data collected through visual confidence analog scale surveys, interviews, and …

What Makes Implicit Bias Training Effective? An Examination Of Training Program Interventions And K-12 Educator Experiences, Kyleigh K. Mcaloon

McNair Summer Research Program

Differences in disciplinary referrals based on race have led many to argue that bias may influence disciplinary decisions. Implicit bias (IB) training is designed to address such disparities by raising awareness of biases that may impact assessment of behavior and disciplinary decisions. In recent years, many have questioned the validity of IB as a construct and also the potential impact of training. Some scholars argue that these programs fail to produce meaningful behavioral change and may unintentionally reinforce or increase bias. The aim of the present study was to investigate how individuals receive and respond to such training. Sixteen K-12 …

Evidence In Action: Community Schools, Volume 1, Ucf Center For Community Schools

Community Schools Research

No abstract provided.

The Ilese Project: Building An Evidentiary Database About Students' Use Of Learning Environments, W. Imms, J. E. Morris, K. Day, C. Bradbeer, L. Lockhart-Barker, C. Campbell

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This paper presents the progress of a unique study of significant scope. The industry-funded innovative Learning Environments and Student Experience (ILESE) study asked two questions: In what ways has more than two decades of learning spaces research culminated in readily used evidence that meets the needs of those involved in providing innovative education infrastructure? Second, based on perceived strengths and gaps, how do we design research to address identified gaps? This paper reports on the findings to these questions. It draws on the results of a large-scale Scoping Study that sought perspectives from experts equally distributed across (1) industries providing …

Determinants Of The Abuse Of Artificial Intelligence For Academic Purposes Among Nigerian University Undergraduates, A.M. Adegbore, Solomon Oluwaseun Ojedeji, Ihezie Donatus Ukpabi, Taofeek Gbolahan Muibi, Bamikole Abel Fashogbon, Adebola Kehinde Ojo

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Abstract

Rationale

The misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming prevalent in academia, particularly among undergraduates. This situation could undermine the main objective of education at the university level, which is aimed at building future professionals for general development. This study examined the determinants of the abuse of artificial intelligence (AI) for academic purposes among Nigerian university undergraduates, with particular focus on federal universities in Southwestern Nigeria.

Material and method

A descriptive survey of the correlational type was adopted. The population comprised 233,454 undergraduates, from which a sample size of 1,593 students was selected using a multi-stage sampling technique involving …

Generative Ai Adoption And Perceived Academic Impact Among Undergraduate Students: A Cross-National Study In Indonesia, Tajikistan, And The United States, Vyacheslav Dushenkov, Ernawati Sinaga, Astri Rozanah Siregar, Alamkhon Akhmedov, Saidbeg Satorov

Publications and Research

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming higher education, yet comparative evidence from diverse international settings remains limited. This cross-national study examined undergraduate students’ adoption and perceived academic impact of generative AI tools at institutions in Indonesia, Tajikistan, and the United States. A harmonized online survey was administered to 584 undergraduates during Spring 2026 (Indonesia n = 235; Tajikistan n = 226; United States n = 123). The survey assessed AI familiarity, adoption patterns, frequency and purpose of use, perceived academic impact, and factors encouraging AI engagement. AI adoption differed significantly across sites, with the highest adoption observed in Indonesia …

Using “You” As A Subject In Biology Assessment Questions: Examining Student Preferences For Second-Person Framing, Noelle Clark, Kate Hill, Jeremy L. Hsu

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

In college biology courses, exams and quizzes are often used to assess students’ knowledge and performance. Since assessments are a crucial part of biology classes, there has been a wide range of work examining how assessment questions are written, revealing that small changes in how such questions are worded may have large impacts on students’ reading comprehension and performance. One aspect that instructors consider when writing a question is subject framing, i.e., which individual, if any, is being placed as the focal point of the question. In this study, we focus on the following subject framings, an authentic scientist, a …

Ai-Resistant And Ai-Resilient Assessment In Higher Education: A Systematic Review Of Validity-Grounded Strategies, Institutional Frameworks, And Equity Implications, Asrat Genet Amnie

Publications and Research

The emergence of large language models has precipitated a fun damental disruption to higher education assessment. Conventional instruments are susceptible to AI-assisted completion, threatening construct validity across disciplines and institutional contexts. When submitted work reflects AI capability rather than student competency, the inferential chain from performance to qualifica tion is invalidated – a problem of design rather than detection. This systematic review makes two contributions. First, it theorises and grounds the distinction between AI-resistant assessment, which seeks to prevent or impede AI access through containment, and AI-resilient assessment, which assesses genuine human cogni tive performance of intrinsic educational value regardless …

Alumni Voices. Beyond Graduation: The Lifelong Global Impact Of A Uk Education, Sladana Krstic, Alexander Towne

Higher education research

The third round of the British Council Alumni Voices survey provides robust and timely evidence of the enduring value of a UK higher education experience. Drawing on three years of longitudinal survey data, supplemented by a number of interviews, the findings highlight how UK education continues to deliver skills, support professional progression, and foster long lasting international networks that extend well beyond graduation and national borders. Nearly three quarters of respondents report that in the last 12 months they have maintained contact with people they first met during their UK studies, and almost 84 percent have recommended a UK study …

Sdg 4.1.1 Minimum Proficiency Levels. Definition And Blueprint For Assessment, Prue Anderson, Andrew Mannion, Ursula Schwantner, Maurice Walker, Colin Watson, Toby Simmer

Global education monitoring

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 aims to ensure that, by 2030, “all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.” The primary indicator 4.1.1 concerns the proficiency of girls and boys in two learning areas (reading and mathematics) at three stages of education: at the end of lower primary, at the end of primary, and at the end of lower secondary. Large-scale learning assessments are essential tools to capture data on learning outcomes and to provide system-level evidence on education quality and equity. In the context of SDG 4, …

From Hermeneutic Theory To Pedagogical Practice: Dialogue, Fusion Of Horizons, And Tradition In The Philosophy For Children Classroom, Leon Benade

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This article brings Hans-Georg Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics into critical conversation with the pedagogical practice of philosophy in schools, focusing particularly on Philosophy for Children (P4C). While P4C offers a rich pedagogical model for developing reasonableness through the Community of Inquiry (CoI), its account of the conditions under which understanding occurs remains somewhat underdeveloped. Although some scholars have situated P4C in relation to hermeneutics, this engagement is limited. Addressing this gap, the key Gadamerian ideas of tradition, prejudice, and the fusion of horizons and dialogue are explored here to deepen and extend the theoretical considerations of inquiry in P4C. The discussion …

Improving Knowledge Retention And Clinical Reasoning In Podiatric Medical Education: Meded Capstone, Tyreen Heybeck, Stephanie N. Campbell

School of Podiatric Medicine Publications

Retention of foundational sciences and application into clinical reasoning remains a challenge in podiatric medical and surgical education, particularly as students transition into clinicals and prepare for externships, board examinations, and residency. The goal of this intervention within the longitudinal lower extremity case-based curriculum is to emphasize recall through application of physical examination findings, imaging interpretation, development of differential diagnoses, pathology severity classification, determination of surgical indications, ethical justification of operative intervention, and patient-centered informed consent discussions. Limited curricular models intentionally address when and how learners should be reassessed to optimize long-term retention and clinical preparedness. Instructional adjustments are designed …

Effectiveness And The Music Teacher: A Correlational Study Of Emotional Intelligence In Secondary Music Instruction, Rachel Gonzales

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative correlational study examined the relationship between emotional intelligence and teacher effectiveness among secondary music educators in Texas. Emotional intelligence was measured using the Emotional Intelligence Assessment for Secondary Music Educators (EIASME), a researcher-developed instrument comprised of the four domains of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. Teacher effectiveness was assessed using the Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T TESS) and the University Interscholastic League Concert and Sightreading (UIL C/SR) assessments. Data were collected via a digital Qualtrics survey completed by seventy-five qualifying respondents representing secondary directors in band, choir, and orchestra. Descriptive statistics and …

Queer, Hybrid Participatory Design: Relational Practices And Norms For Coalition Building With Rural, Lgbtq+ Communities, Luettamae Lawrence, Maureen Boyle, Chasity Mayo, Catherine A. Rushworth, Moira Anderson, Dorothy Wallis, Jayme Walters

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

This paper examines the first year of collaboration between the Bear River Region LGBTQ+ Community Coalition and queer residents in rural northern Utah, United States, using a hybrid participatory design (PD) approach. Using Yep’s queer relationality theory, we examine how hybrid spaces were designed and iteratively adapted to support inclusion, care, and collective agency among LGBTQ+ community members. Drawing on Community Coalition Action Theory and queer PD, we analyze four cases from May 2024 to June 2025 including workshops and regular meetings to explore how relational practices evolved across different formats and phases of coalition development. In this paper, we …

Chicago Southland Regional Model Pathways, Education Systems Center

Practitioner Toolkits and Resources

These models from Prairie State College and South Suburban College are aligned to the State of Illinois College and Career Pathway Endorsement framework and include dual credit coursework pre-approved by the colleges for inclusion by regional high schools.