Computer adaptive testing (CAT) is an increasingly common mode of test administration offering improved test security, better measurement precision, and the potential for shorter testing experiences. This article presents a new item selection algorithm based on a generalized objective function to support multiple types of testing conditions and…

An NMR tube cleaner that is quickly and easily constructed from everyday laboratory equipment is described. This cost-effective option removes the need to purchase a fragile, more expensive model. The small footprint of the device lends itself to being given a permanent place in the laboratory, but it is also simple enough to disassemble and…

Postsecondary education (PSE) is more than just a learning opportunity for people with intellectual disability--it's an effective pathway to competitive employment and financial independence. Research shows PSE leads to higher employment rates and increased wages for people with intellectual disability, and long-term cost savings for supporting…

In an era of unparalleled disruption and low teacher satisfaction, residency programs offer a critical opportunity to reimagine what's possible for our nation's teachers. These programs have been shown to help districts fill hard-to-staff subject areas, boost teacher retention rates, and nurture more diverse pipelines of educators. And when new…

This study reviewed the evolving capabilities of hydro-drones, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) which are used for spraying and cleaning with a focus on water management, and it revealed that the unique capabilities of hydro-drones offered the potential to create challenging and rewarding education and training programs, designed to provide new or…

This chapter reviews the extensive literature to date on CCTs for education. Section 2 provides background on the origins and expansion of CCTs globally, and describes basic design features and variation in characteristics across programs. Section 3 presents a theory of change and an economic household decision-making model highlighting key…

Open educational resources (OER) are teaching, learning, or research resources that are offered freely to users in at least one form and that either reside in the public domain or have been released under an open copyright license that allows for its free use, reuse, modification, and sharing with attribution. Course marking (also called…

In the article "Understanding Writer Center Use among Community College Students," Christina Savarese addresses the reasons students use the writing center, understanding those reasons, and using them to identify ways the writing center administrators and tutors can better serve their student population. Additional research findings…

Chemical kinetics is a branch of physical chemistry that constitutes an essential part of undergraduate education. In general, a complex and expensive experimental apparatus is indispensable for observing the kinetics of a chemical process owing to the continuity of chemical reactions. Thus, intuitive visualization of the chemical kinetics using a…

Raman spectroscopy has become a popular analytical tool because of its ability to probe nondestructively and provide fingerprint information about materials. The advancements in the field of Raman spectroscopy and the expanding scope of applications warrant the introduction of the topic in the formal education curriculum. The introduction of Raman…

The goal of this brief is to provide school district and school staff with tools to help make more effective and efficient use of resources, particularly American Rescue Plan ESSER III funding. ESSER III funding offers districts and schools an opportunity to not only support their immediate needs of safely reopening schools to in-person…

Although experimental evaluations have been labeled the "gold standard" of evidence for policy (U.S. Department of Education, 2003), evaluations without an analysis of costs are not sufficient for policymaking (Monk, 1995; Ross et al., 2007). Funding organizations now require cost-effectiveness data in most evaluations of effects. Yet,…

In recent years, academic return on investment (A-ROI) has gained growing attention from policy makers as well as education practitioners and stakeholders as a tool to drive how limited financial resources are used to improve student achievement. In this series, we discuss five basic issues around using A-ROI for informing and improving resource…

This study determined the optimal tuition subsidy necessary to increase two- and four-year college graduation in Texas. The study also estimated the per pupil and total cost of potential subsidies, and compared how they might affect college graduation rates. The goal of this exercise was to provide guidance on how the state could achieve the Texas…

Cost analysis examines the costs of specific programs--including interventions, education practices and policies, and tools--designed to improve students' academic outcomes. Cost analysis--(1) Describes the resources needed to run a program, whether related to personnel, facilities, or materials; (2) Attaches value (estimates prices) for those…