Digital automated assessment is a valuable and time-efficient tool for educators to provide immediate and objective feedback to learners. Automated assessment, however, puts high demands on the quality of the questions, alignment with the intended learning outcomes, and the quality of the feedback provided to the learners. We here describe the…

i-Ready is an English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics instructional program for Grades K-8 students featuring an individualized plan for instruction based on each student's performance on an online, computer-adaptive diagnostic assessment. Once students complete the diagnostic assessment, i-Ready builds a unique lesson plan with a…

This study describes the role that Rasch measurement played in the development of assessments aligned to the "Next Generation Science Standards," tasks that require students to use the three dimensions of science practices, disciplinary core ideas and cross-cutting concepts to make sense of energy-related phenomena. A set of 27…

We previously (Gantt et al., 2023; Paoletti et al., 2021) identified items from the publicly released TIMSS 2011 assessments that had potential for students to employ covariational reasoning as a solution strategy. In this report, we explore the extent to which fourth-grade students' performance on such items in mathematics differed among 26…

Data literacy is crucial for adolescents to access and navigate data in today's technology-driven world. Researchers emphasize the need for K-12 students to attain data literacy. However, few available instructions have incorporated validated assessments. Therefore, I developed and implemented the Data literacy Assessment for Middle graders…

Much of the focus of international comparative studies of students' achievement has been on New Zealand students' falling standards. Using the most recent findings from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), and, in particular, Year 9 New Zealand students' performance in specific items, this article suggests that there…

Responsive coaching at engage2learn is an innovative and evidence-based solution. This 2022-2023 study, paired with previous reports, compellingly validates the efficacy of the engage2learn program by exploring end-of-year STAAR test performance for Math and Science among Grades 6-8. LXD Research, an independent research firm, analyzed educator…

This study investigates the effects of adding stem preview to an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) multiple-choice listening assessment. In stem preview, listeners may view the item stems, but not response options, before listening. Previous research indicates that adding preview to an exam typically decreases difficulty, but raises concerns…

There is limited research regarding the Gilliam Autism Rating Scales-3rd Edition (GARS-3) despite its extensive use. A comprehensive diagnostic evaluation, including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule--2nd Edition (ADOS-2) was provided to 186 clinically referred children suspected of autism ([x-bar] age = 8.98; Autism [AUT] n = 87; Not…

This research explores the effects of listening to music during exams for engineering college students. Students were given the option to listen to self-selected music while completing exams in three undergraduate engineering courses over four years. It was found that listening to music during an exam had no significant effect on the mean exam…

Researchers have called for undergraduate courses to update teaching frameworks based on the Modern Synthesis with insights from molecular biology, by stressing the molecular underpinnings of variation and adaptation. To support this goal, we developed a modified version of the widely used Assessing Conceptual Reasoning of Natural Selection…

Currently, we are facing the rapid development of information and communication technology (ICT) that characterizes the 21st century. Challenges, problems, life, and careers in the 21st century can be successfully faced if we master the 21st century skills. However, nowadays it is still very rare to develop a 21st century skill measurement model,…

As one of the 21st-century skills, self-directed learning (SDL) has received widespread attention and has become an essential research topic in education. In this study, we examined the psychometric properties of the SDL scale (SDLS) (Lounsbury et al., 2009) with a sample of 408 Chinese undergraduates. Previous research on Chinese students has…

In primary schools, the incorporation of STEAM education has become a widespread trend, as it is believed to have the potential to enhance the quality of education and foster students' competencies. This investigation aimed to explore the definition, measurement model, and scale of students' STEAM competence, emphasizing their hands-on experiences…

We develop and validate a self-report measure of intrinsic and extrinsic cognitive load suitable for measuring the constructs in a variety of learning contexts. Data were collected from three independent samples of college students in the U.S. (N[subscript total]= 513; M[subscript age]= 21.13 years). Kane's (2013) framework was used to validate…