Is physics education research based on a representative sample of students? To answer this question we skimmed physics education research papers from three journals for the years 1970-2015 looking for the number of research subjects, the course the subjects were enrolled in, and the institution where the research was conducted. We combined this…

This article uses quasi-experimental techniques to assess the relationship between test-optional policy implementation and the proportion of Asian, Black, Hispanic, and White students among the 510 selective institutions in Barron's Ranking from 2006 to 2019. The findings could provide empirical evidence about the connections between test-optional…

We conducted two studies to replicate and extend, as well as test, the limits of previous findings regarding an apparent disconnect between scientific-reasoning skills in psychological science, on the one hand, and scores on standardized tests of general intelligence, on the other. In Study 1, we examined whether this disconnect would extend…

Procedures for identifying the gifted often make use of tests of general intelligence, among other assessments. Robert J. Sternberg recently suggested that identification of the gifted should further involve assessment of what he refers to as adaptive intelligence--the ability to adapt to real-world environments. Such a conception of intelligence…

All studies with randomized controlled experiments (scientific studies) on the effectiveness of SAT test preparation courses were analyzed to find SAT prep's true effectiveness (the average point change to average course hours ratio). The scientific studies complete with both known average point change and known average course length (complete…

This study presents a systematic review of the literature on the predicting student retention in higher education through machine learning algorithms based on measures such as dropout risk, attrition risk, and completion risk. A systematic review methodology was employed comprised of review protocol, requirements for study selection, and analysis…

One of the major claims of the report of University of California's Task Force on Standardized Testing is that SAT and ACT scores are superior to high-school grades in predicting how students will perform at UC. This finding has been widely reported in the news media and cited in several editorials favoring UC's continued use of SAT/ACT scores in…

In US colleges, the scarcity of students from low-income families is a major concern. We present a novel way of boosting the percentage of qualified low-income students using constrained optimization (CO), an operations research technique. CO allows incorporation of both academic requirements and diversity goals in college admissions. The incoming…

Over the past several years, content experts, psychometricians, and researchers have been hard at work developing, refining, and studying the digital SAT. The work is grounded in foundational best practices and advances in measurement and assessment design, with fairness for students informing all of the work done. This paper shares learnings from…

This report combines the previous Annual Accountability Report and University Work Plans into a single document more closely aligned with the Board of Governors' 2025 System Strategic Plan. This document enhances the System's commitment to accountability and strategic planning by enabling comparisons between past goals and actual data to better…

Research methods and statistics are core courses in the undergraduate psychology major. To assess learning outcomes, it would be useful to have a measure that assesses research methods and statistical literacy beyond course grades. In two studies, we developed and provided initial validation results for a research methods and statistical knowledge…

Student success measurements for 4-year institutions of higher education are a topic of importance for numerous stakeholders including prospective and current students, parents, staff, faculty, administrators, governing boards, policymakers, and citizens. Common measures of student success are retention rates and 4- and 6-year graduation rates.…

Clark et al. focus on the likely drivers of the Flynn effect (sociocultural, educational, technological), and imply that it is not a single causal agent driving the upward climb in IQ scores but perhaps multiple causes with different onsets. Given, the authors' conception of intelligence in terms of underlying attentional and cognitive resources…

What are the benefits and costs of attending a selective public research university instead of a less-selective university or college? This study examines the 2001-2011 Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC) program, which guaranteed University of California admission to students in the top four percent of California high school classes. Employing…

This is a new report that combines the previous Annual Accountability Report and University Work Plans into a single document more closely aligned with the Board of Governors' 2025 System Strategic Plan. This revised document will enhance the System's commitment to accountability and strategic planning by enabling comparisons between past goals…