This inquiry is focused on three indicators of the precision of measurement--conditional on fixed values of ?, the latent variable of item response theory (IRT). The indicators that are compared are (1) The traditional, conditional standard errors, s(eX|?) = CSEM; (2) the IRT-based conditional standard errors, s[subscript irt](eX|?)=C[subscript…

The timing of events (e.g., how long it takes a child to exhibit a particular behavior) is often of interest in developmental science. Multilevel survival analysis (MSA) is useful for examining behavioral timing in observational studies (i.e., video recordings) of children's behavior. We illustrate how MSA can be used to answer 2 types of research…

Applying single-level statistical models to multilevel data typically produces underestimated standard errors, which may result in misleading conclusions. This study examined the impact of ignoring multilevel data structure on the estimation of item parameters and their standard errors of the Rasch, two-, and three-parameter logistic models in…

Comedy, like higher education, is an institution forged from and heavily influenced by tradition. Performers readily recite their influences, drawing a clear line between their idols and the art they currently create onstage. However, because culture and norms surrounding comedy are considerably more malleable than those surrounding higher…

Log files from computer-based assessment can help better understand respondents' behaviours and cognitive strategies. Analysis of timing information from Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) reveals large differences in the time participants take to answer assessment items, as well as large country differences…

A lot has been written about the power of human-centered design (HCD) to solve educational challenges and promote innovation and improvement. A cyclical process consisting of three main phases--(1) observing and talking with users to create empathy and understanding; (2) brainstorming new ideas to meet the users' needs; and (3) prototyping and…

Section 162.675. RSMo defines gifted children as "those children who exhibit precocious development of mental capacity and learning potential as determined by competent professional evaluation to the extent that continued educational growth and stimulation could best be served by an academic environment beyond that offered through a standard…

When latent variables are used as outcomes in regression analysis, a common approach that is used to solve the ignored measurement error issue is to take a multilevel perspective on item response modeling (IRT). Although recent computational advancement allow efficient and accurate estimation of multilevel IRT models, we argue that a two-stage…

The relations among alternative parameterizations of the binary factor analysis (FA) model and two-parameter logistic (2PL) item response theory (IRT) model have been thoroughly discussed in literature (e.g., Lord & Novick, 1968; Takane & de Leeuw, 1987; McDonald, 1999; Wirth & Edwards, 2007; Kamata & Bauer, 2008). However, the…

The purpose of this case study was to explore the perspectives of T-TESS administrative feedback for teachers in an urban school district. Interviews were conducted with 10 teachers, employed by the district, who provided their experiences with being evaluated with the system and perspectives of feedback from their evaluator. Responses were…

Typical Bayesian methods for models with latent variables (or random effects) involve directly sampling the latent variables along with the model parameters. In high-level software code for model definitions (using, e.g., BUGS, JAGS, Stan), the likelihood is therefore specified as conditional on the latent variables. This can lead researchers to…

Although bullying is increasingly researched in the USA, there remains a limited study of bullying among Mexican youth. To address this gap, the present study compared bullying dynamics across the two countries, with a specific focus on Latinx youth in the US and Mexican youth. Data come from a large school-based survey of 3030 US self-identified…

Academic consequences, alcohol use disorders, assaults, and death are real and present dangers for college students problematically consuming alcohol. A number of theories exist that aid in the understanding of problematic alcohol consumption. These theories have been used to create particularly effective interventions to reduce problematic…

Science actions represent specific initiatives and demarches that involve investigation, experimentation, and even research, for raising the interest of the young generation in science, through particular approaches of STEM education. Important topics are promoted to students in various approaches, addressing nowadays problems, answering…

Over the past two years, there have been calls for racial justice in nearly every sphere of social and political life, including the field of education. As much of the nation reeled at yet another life violently taken at the hands of a police officer, education workers faced the challenge of responding to local and national demands for policy…