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NERA 2015Interdisciplinary Approaches, Collaborating Minds46th Annual Meeting of theNortheastern EducationalResearch AssociationTrumbull, CTOctober 21 – 23, 2015
Welcome from the 2015 NERA PresidentWelcome to the 46th Annual Conference of the Northeastern EducationalResearch Association (NERA)! Following a tradition that is now over fourand-a-half decades long, the 2015 NERA Conference offers an exceptionallineup of opportunities for scholarship and community for researchers ineducation from the Northeast and beyond. The 2015 Co-Chairs, AmandaClauser, Kimberly Colvin, and Katrina Roohr, have dedicated the past year toputting together a conference program that is extraordinary in both depth andbreadth, and it is my sincere hope that you find this year’s NERA especiallystimulating in terms of the range of perspectives and disciplines represented.To that end, I wish to call your attention to the theme for this year’sconference: Interdisciplinary Approaches, Collaborating Minds. The idea ofdrawing on multiple perspectives to investigate issues is not likely new to anyof us, but it is does carry especial relevance in today’s higher-order thinking, standards-driven educationallandscape.Our keynote speakers and invited talks are reflective of the orientation of this year’s conference, and I amthrilled and honored by the outstanding scholars who will be joining us in Trumbull this year. OnWednesday night we will hear from Harvard University’s Dr. Ronald Ferguson, whose talk will focus on“The Influence of Teaching on Adolescent Agency”. Midday Thursday brings us Dr. Nancy Streim fromColumbia University Teachers’ College, who will speak on “The Power and Pitfalls of University-SchoolPartnerships”, and to close the conference at Friday’s lunch Dr. Joanna Gorin of Educational TestingService will offer her thoughts on next-generation performance assessment. Dr. Preston Green of theUniversity of Connecticut will engage in a discussion of charter schools and accountability mandates, andthere is also a featured interview with Dr. Ronald Hambleton of the University of Massachusetts, whowill share his experiences on the front lines of test development and equating.There’s still more: There are also sessions specifically organized by and for NERA’s graduate studentmembers, many pre- and in-conference workshops, the NERA Business Meeting, and of course, socialevents! Wednesday night is our Welcome Reception, and Thursday evening is marked by my PresidentialReception – details on both are in this program! NERA’s conference is defined by its academiccomponents as well as its many networking opportunities, and I encourage all of you here in Trumbull topartake in all that NERA has to offer.This year’s conference (and indeed, my year as NERA’s President) would not have been the same withoutthe considerable efforts of NERA’s many volunteers. I wish to extend a sincere and heartfelt thank you toNERA’s Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and our GSIC, and in particular our TreasurerElizabeth Stone and the Infrastructure Committee Chair Steven Holtzman. We also could not hold thisconference without our many generous Institutional Members. Finally, I am most especially grateful toAmanda, Kim, and Katrina for their tremendous service to NERA in their commitment to excellence in allaspects of this year’s meeting.Welcome to all, both new and returning members, and enjoy the conference!April L. ZeniskyNERA President 2014-20152Interdisciplinary Approaches, Collaborating MindsNERA 2015
Welcome from the 2015 Conference CommitteeWelcome new and returning NERA members! We look forward to celebrating your current research andinspiring you to begin new collaborations and interdisciplinary projects during this year’s NERAconference. We have planned a variety of opportunities that we think will provide an inspiring andenriching conference for you. Education today is marked by numerous challenges, as recent years havebrought a re-imagining of curriculum and a redefinition of what students should know and be able to do,under the glare of a renewed (and highly concentrated) focus on accountability. For educationalresearchers, the questions are many, but the issues cannot be compartmentalized and considered inisolation. As we, a community of researchers, look to take on these complexities in education through ourresearch activities, it is critical that collaboration be encouraged and facilitated across specialties,institutions, and roles, to promote the connections and conversations that lead to new knowledge.Our goal this year was to create a conference program that facilitates the sharing of research, knowledge,and ideas in a supportive and stimulating environment. This year we focused on including diverse voicesfrom different areas of educational research, and providing opportunities for new presentation formats.We believe this year’s conference program will deliver all that you expect from NERA – and just maybesome surprises.We are looking forward to our Keynote addresses by Ronald F. Ferguson and Nancy Streim and ourinvited speakers Joanna Gorin and Preston Green. Members are invited to join in a pre- or in-conferenceworkshop on Structural Equation Modeling, Introductory and Intermediate Programming in R,Participatory Action Research, Person-Centered Methodology, and Mixed Methodology to develop andenhance their research skills, meet other NERA members, and begin new collaborative projects! We havealso included diverse paper sessions and symposia as well as roundtable discussions (on Wednesdayafternoon), a poster session (Friday morning) and Data Blitz! Sessions (Thursday and Friday mornings) toprovide a more interactive format for sharing in-progress research.We are also looking forward to an invited interview with Ron Hambleton and panel discussions from boththe GSIC and the Teacher-As-Researcher committee. It will be a busy conference and we look forward torelaxing and reconnecting with other members and friends during Wednesday and Thursday eveningreceptions, and during down-time in the Grand Ballroom – a space set aside to facilitate small groupinteraction and collaborative work space.Preparation for NERA’s annual conference requires the dedication of many NERA members, especiallythe NERA Board of Directors, the appointed members of NERA’s leadership, those who submittedproposals, and those who volunteered as reviewers, session chairs, discussants, workshop leaders, invitedpanelists, and committee members. We are so thankful to the volunteer reviewers who supported theconference program, and the chairs and discussants who will engage us and facilitate the sharing of newand developing research. We are especially indebted to the 2015 NERA President, April Zenisky; ourNERA Treasurer, Elizabeth Stone; the NERA Communications Committee; and the 2014 Conference Cochairs, Pamela Kaliski, Ross Markle, and Javarro Russell. Each provided invaluable guidance and we aregrateful for their assistance. Finally, we want to thank all of our colleagues, friends, and family who havebeen there to support us while planning NERA 2015.Welcome to the 2015 NERA Conference!3Interdisciplinary Approaches, Collaborating MindsNERA 2015
Table of ContentsWelcome from the 2015 NERA President . 2Welcome from the 2015 Conference Committee . 3NERA’s Mission . 5NERA 2015 Sponsors . 7NERA Conference Features . 9NERA Awards . 11Meeting Information . 14Session Information . 15About NERA. 17NERA Reviewers . 21Pre-Conference Workshops . 22In-Conference Workshop - Wednesday . 24Concurrent Sessions - Wednesday . 25Evening Events - Wednesday . 35In-Conference Workshops - Thursday . 36Concurrent Sessions - Thursday . 38Lunch and Keynote - Thursday. 49Evening Events - Thursday . 67Morning Event - Friday . 68Concurrent Sessions – Friday . 69Lunch and Invited Speaker - Friday. 82Trumbull Marriott Meeting Space . 83Index of Corresponding Authors, Chairs, & Discussants . 84NERA At-A-Glance . 884Interdisciplinary Approaches, Collaborating MindsNERA 2015
NERA’s MissionThe mission of the Northeastern Educational Research Association is to encourage and promoteeducational research by: Sponsoring an annual conference at which formal presentations, feedback, andprofessional interchange about research occurs. Promoting the sharing of professional information through publications and other typesof communications. Encouraging the development of research among junior researchers.NERA welcomes individuals conducting research in all aspects of education including learning,curriculum and instruction, educational policy and administration, measurement, statistics, andresearch methodology, counseling, human development, social context of education, culturaldiversity, special education and rehabilitation, educational assessment, school evaluation, andprogram development, education in the professions, postsecondary education, teaching andteacher education, technology in education, creative arts in the schools, and others.5Interdisciplinary Approaches, Collaborating MindsNERA 2015
6Interdisciplinary Approaches, Collaborating MindsNERA 2015
NERA 2015 SponsorsWe extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to our generous organizational and institutionalsponsors. Without their support, the 46th Annual NERA Conference would not be possible.Information about our sponsors can be found throughout the program.Platinum SponsorsedCount, LLCwww.edcount.comUniversity of Connecticut, Neag School ofEducationwww.education.uconn.eduEducational Testing Servicewww.ets.orgJames Madison Universitywww.jmu.edu/assessmentJohnson & Wales Universitywww.jwu.eduNational Center for the Improvement ofEducational Assessmentwww.nciea.orgUniversity of Hartfordwww.hartford.eduUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst, Collegeof Educationwww.educ.umass.eduWestfield State Universitywww.westfield.mas.eduGold SponsorsACTwww.act.orgBloomsburg University of Pennsylvaniawww.bloomu.eduSilver SponsorsAICPAwww.aicpa.orgMontclair State Universitywww.montclair.edu/cehsBuros Center for Testing at Universityof Nebraska-Lincolnwww.unl.edu/burosNational Board of Medical Examinerswww.nbme.orgPacific Metrics Corporationwww.pacificmetrics.comFordham Universitywww.fordham.eduInternational Baccalaureatewww.ibo.orgMeasured Progresswww.measuredprogress.orgSouthern Connecticut State cationWilliam Paterson University, NJwww.upunj.eduIndividual DonorChad Buckendahl7Interdisciplinary Approaches, Collaborating MindsNERA 2015
Thank you to our Silver Sponsors!8Interdisciplinary Approaches, Collaborating MindsNERA 2015
NERA Conference FeaturesBelow are descriptions of the different types of sessions, events, and experiences offered in theNERA program this year.ConcurrentSessionsPaper Presentation Sessions:Paper sessions include the presentation of completed or nearly-completed research in10-12 minutes among 3-5 other individual presentations grouped according toresearch area. A discussant was assigned to read the set of papers in advance and willpresent a 10-15 minute discussion, overview, critique, or analysis of the set of papersto spur discussion. Session attendees are encouraged to approach presenters aftersessions to further exchange ideas.Symposia/Theme-Based Sessions:Symposium sessions include the presentation of a set of 3-5 research papersorganized around a common theme. Similar to paper presentation sessions, adiscussant will present a 10-15 minute discussion, overview, critique, or analysis ofthe set of papers to spur discussion.Data Blitz:A Data Blitz session is a fast-paced session with short presentations each providinghighlights of the presenter’s research. This session is an opportunity for presenters tooffer a preview of their research and highlight findings to a large group. There will betwo Data Blitz Sessions this year, one at 8:30am on Thursday and one at 9:15am onFriday.Roundtable:Research roundtable sessions are designed to provide a discussion-based form for inprogress research. This session is intended to support and facilitate collaboration anddiscussion among researchers. Presenters will briefly share their current research andthen discuss with fellow authors and audience members. This year’s roundtablesessions are scheduled at 4:00pm on Thursday.Poster:Poster sessions visually display a completed or nearly completed research project thatcan benefit from individualized discussion and feedback. This year’s poster session isscheduled at 10:30am on Friday.ProfessionalDevelopmentWorkshopsNERA provides professional development workshops at no additional charge.Preconference workshops take place Wednesday morning before conference sessionsbegin in the afternoon. In-Conference workshops occur throughout the conference.These sessions require advanced registration (see NERA web page). However,workshops may only seat 32 participants; interested members are encouraged to signup in advance through the registration process, or to arrive early to guarantee a spot.CollaborationStationOpen space to help promote collaboration and working time for NERA’s variousvolunteer committees and among groups of NERA members.9Interdisciplinary Approaches, Collaborating MindsNERA 2015
GraduateStudentSessionsThe Graduate Student Issues Committee (GSIC) has planned a series of events forgraduate students. The graduate student reception will be held Wednesday at 4:45pm.Additionally the GSIC has sponsored two conference sessions: Exploring DifferentJob Areas and Developing Effective Job-Seeking Skills on Wednesday at 1:30pmand Writing an Effective Research Report at 5:45pm on Thursday.Speakers andAwardThis year NERA will host two keynote sessions and three invited speakersthroughout the conference. In addition, NERA's current president,April Zenisky, will give an address to the membership on Thursday evening. Mostspeakers will present right before or after conference meals in the Grand Ballroom.Meals serve as an opportune time for making announcements, including this year'sNERA award recipients (which will be announced at Thursday dinner)!BusinessMeetingEveryone is invited to attend this working breakfast meeting Friday morning.NERA SocialEventsAs is the NERA tradition, registered conference attendees are invited to join us attwo receptions. The Wednesday night's NERA Welcome Reception is an opportunityencouraging both new and returning members to get acquainted with one another andenjoy a relaxing evening. At Wednesday night’s event we will enjoy music from theJoe Carter Jazz Quartet. For this year’s Thursday night event, there will be musicplaying by DJ Charley as well as a photo booth so fun pictures and memories can becaptured. A limited number of drink tickets will be provided for both social events.10Interdisciplinary Approaches, Collaborating MindsNERA 2015
NERA AwardsLorne H. Woollatt Distinguished Paper AwardIn 1990, this award was renamed to honor this active NERA member who also published, The evolutionof state-local governmental relationships in New York State (Staff study of the Fiscal policy for publiceducation in New York State) in 1948. In order to be eligible for the award, researchers must submit a 1520 page original research paper on any educational issue of interest. Submissions are then peer reviewedand rated on a thirty-five point rubric. The author of the winning distinguished paper receives a stipend of 500 and presents at the American Educational Research Association Conference.Congratulations to Kathleen Sheehan, the 2014 Lorne H. Woollatt Distinguished Paper Award winner forher paper entitled, “What Proportion of the High School/College Text Complexity Gap is due to GenreBased Differential Feature functioning (DFF)?”Kathleen Sheehan is Principal Research Scientist in the Research and Development Division atEducational Testing Service (ETS) located in Princeton, New Jersey. She has won a variety of awards andpatents. This award-winning paper will be presented at the 2015 AERA Conference.Her paper addresses an important problem in the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), with theproblem being that they accelerate text complexity expectations for students in grades 1 through 12. Thisis to close a “vast” and “alarming” gap between the complexity levels of the texts that students read inhigh school (HS) compared to those that they will be expected to read in college and careers. The paperexamines a key assumption underlying the method used to quantify this gap: That scores generated viatraditional readability metrics are not subject to genre-based differential feature functioning (DFF).Analyses suggest that a strategy of accounting for genre DFF reduces the estimated magnitude of the gapby nearly 50%. Implications are presented.Stay tuned for the announcement of the 2015 recipients of two additional awards during theNERA Conference: Thomas F. Donlon Memorial Award for Distinguished Mentoring (2014 Winner: Dr.Lisa Keller) Leo D. Doherty Memorial Award for Outstanding Leadership and Service to NERA(2014 Winner: Dr. Stephen Sireci)11Interdisciplinary Approaches, Collaborating MindsNERA 2015
2015 Teacher-as-Researcher AwardCongratulations to Dr. Elizabeth G. Alexis, the 2015 Teacher-As-Researcher award winner for her paperentitled: “State Math and English Assessments as Predictors of High School Students’ Success in anOnline Credit Recovery Program.”Dr. Elizabeth G. Alexis is an HS special education teacher and Coordinator of the Credit RecoveryProgram in the Westbury School District in New York. She earned a BA in Psychology at University ofMiami, Coral Gables, Florida and MA in Special Education/ Secondary Education a Mercy College, NY,Post-secondary Certification Education Leadership at Stony Brook University, NY, Doctorate inInstructional Leadership and Technology at St. John’s University, NY. She is an educationconsultant/parent trainer who works with outside agencies and schools.Dr. Alexis’s research investigated English and Math Regents scores as predictors of individual success ina credit-recovery program. The students were measured on their growth in the online courses using theirpost-test scores, lesson modules grades, and assessment scores. In addition, the study examined if arelationship existed between assessment scores, BASI baseline scores, course grade, and graduation. Herfindings have implications for educators working with at risk students in jeopardy of school failure anddropping out, as they may assist in identifying students who are most likely to succeed when given theoption to recover high school credits using an online program.12Interdisciplinary Approaches, Collaborating MindsNERA 2015
13Interdisciplinary Approaches, Collaborating MindsNERA 2015
Meeting InformationLocationAll Events for the NERA 2015 conference take place at Trumbull MarriottMerritt Parkway Hotel in Trumbull, Connecticut. The contact information forthe hotel is as follows:180 Hawley Ln,Trumbull, CT 06611Phone: (203) 378-1400RegistrationThe NERA 2015 registration desk will be located in the Marriott’s lobby areaconference foyer. There will be signs and a map at the front of the hotel todirect attendees to registration. Registration will be open the following times: Wednesday, October 21st: 9:00am–5:30pm Thursday, October 22nd: 7:00am–12:00pm & 2:00pm–5:30pm Friday, October 23rd: 8:00am–12:15pmConferenceMealsNERA attendees typically dine together Wednesday evening through Fridaylunch. Meal prices are bundled with room rates. Attendees staying at the hotelWednesday night will receive a meal sticker that entitles them to Wednesday’sdinner, Thursday’s breakfast, and Thursday’s lunch. Attendees staying at thehotel Thursday night will receive a meal sticker for Thursday’s dinner, Friday’sbreakfast, and Friday’s lunch. All included meals are nontransferable and takeplace in the hotel’s conference facilities, not in the hotel restaurant. Conferenceattendees not staying at the hotel have the option of purchasing meal tickets atthe hotel gift shop/front desk. Please visit the registration desk to find outspecific instructions for how to purchase a la carte meals if you are not stayingat the hotel.BusinessCenterThe hotel’s business center is located on the main floor in the library area.14Interdisciplinary Approaches, Collaborating MindsNERA 2015
Session InformationSession information is organized by conference day and time with ConferenceWorkshops presented first, followed by each concurrent time block. The day andtime is for each session is listed at the top of each page. Each session has a sessionnumber, session type (e.g., symposium, paper session, invited session), and sessionlocation. The corresponding authors, session chairs, and session discussants’ emailaddresses can be found in the index. The session numbers can also be used with theNERA-At-A-Glance schedule at the very end of the program. A map of themeeting spaces is also located at the end of the program.15Interdisciplinary Approaches, Collaborating MindsNERA 2015
16Interdisciplinary Approaches, Collaborating MindsNERA 2015
About NERANERA welcomes individuals conducting research in all aspects of education including learning,curriculum and instruction, educational policy and administration, measurement, statistics,research methodology, counseling, human development, social context of education, culturaldiversity, special education and rehabilitation, educational assessment, school evaluation andprogram development, education in the professions, post-secondary education, teaching andteacher education, technology in education, creative arts in the schools, and others.LeadershipPresident: April Zenisky, University of Massachusetts AmherstPresident-Elect: Charles DePascale, National Center for theImprovement of Educational AssessmentPast President: John W. Young, International BaccalaureateSecretary: Mary Yakimowski, Sacred Heart UniversityTreasurer: Elizabeth Stone, Educational Testing ServiceBoard of DirectorsCarol Barry, The College BoardFelice Billups, Johnson & Wales UniversityAbigail LauRochelle Michel, Curriculum AssociatesJavarro Russell, Educational Testing ServiceXi Wang, University of Massachusetts AmherstCraig Wells, University of Massachusetts AmherstNERA ResearcherCo-EditorsBozhidar Bashkov, American Board of Internal MedicineHaifa Matos-Elefonte, The College BoardWebmasterTia Sukin, Pacific MetricsBozhidar Bashkov, American Board of Internal Medicine2015 ConferenceCo-ChairsAmanda Clauser, National Board of Medical ExaminersKimberly Colvin, University at Albany, SUNYKatrina Roohr, Educational Testing Service2016 Conference CoChairsJennifer Dunn, Measured ProgressMolly Faulkner-Bond, Educational Testing ServiceJoshua Marland, University of Massachusetts AmherstConferenceProceedings EditorJim McDougal, University of MassachusettsMentoring ProgramCo-ChairsRoss Markle, Educational Testing ServiceJonathan Rubright, National Board of Medical Examiners17Interdisciplinary Approaches, Collaborating MindsNERA 2015
NERA Standing CommitteesCommunications CommitteeChair:S. Jeanne Horst, James Madison UniversityNominations CommitteeChair:John W. Young, International BaccalaureateMembers:Jonathan Steinberg, Educational TestingServiceJoshua Marland (Email Coordinator),University of Massachusetts AmherstBozhidar Bashkov (Webmaster), AmericanBoard of Internal MedicineChastity Williams-Lasley (Social MediaCoordinator), Duquesne UniversityMembers:Barbara J. Helms, Educational EvaluationConsultantKristen Huff, Regents' Research FundThanos Patelis, National Center for theImprovement of Educational AssessmentDarlene Perner, Bloomsburg University ofPennsylvaniaLynn Shelley, Westfield State UniversityMembership CommitteeChair:Nina Deng, Measured ProgressMembers:Jason Kopp, American Board of SurgerySheetal Sood, University of HartfordAvis Jackson, Morgan State UniversityWhitney Smiley, The College BoardTabitha McKinley, New Jersey Department ofEducationAndrew Wiley, Alpine Testing Solutions, Inc.Francis Rick, University of MassachusettsAmherstGraduate Student Issues CommitteeChair:Xi Wang, University of Massachusetts AmherstMembers:Hongyu Diao, University of MassachusettsAmherstHeather Harris, James Madison UniversityKatherine Marino, Pennsylvania StateUniversityJoshua Marland, University of MassachusettsAmherstThai Ong, James Madison UniversityKate Pinder, James Madison UniversityElisabeth Pyburn, James Madison UniversityKristen Smith, James Madison UniversityTeacher-as-Researcher Issues CommitteeChair:Salika Lawrence, Medgar Evers College, CityUniversity of New YorkMembers:Francine Falk-Ross, Pace UniversityIrene VanRiper, William Paterson UniversityKate Zimmerbaum, Caldwell CollegeKonstantina Tsiokris, St. John’s UniversityLisa Bajor, St. John's University18Interdisciplinary Approaches, Collaborating MindsNERA 2015
Award CommitteesThomas Donlon Mentoring AwardChair:Thanos Patelis, National Center for theImprovement of Educational AssessmentMembers:Lisa A. Keller, University of MassachusettsAmherstAnn Hassenpflug, University of AkronCathy Wendler, Educational Testing ServiceLeo D. Doherty Memorial AwardChair:Stephen G. Sireci, University of MassachusettsAmherstMembers:Michael Deasy, University of Massachusetts atLowellClaire Hamilton, University of MassachusettsAmherstGilbert Andrada, Connecticut StateDepartment of EducationElizabeth Gittman, Nassau CommunityCollege/ConsultantAbigail LauRochelle Michel, Curriculum AssociatesBarbara Wert, Bloomsburg University ofPennsylvaniaMembers:Barbara J. Helms, Educational EvaluationConsultantSharon Cramer, Buffalo StateDavid Moss, University of ConnecticutLorne H. Woollatt Distinguished PaperChair:Johan van der Jagt, Bloomsburg University ofPennsylvania19Interdisciplinary Approaches, Collaborating MindsNERA 2015
Ad-Hoc CommitteesInfrastructure CommitteeChair:Steven Holtzman, Educational Testing ServiceStrategic Planning CommitteeChair:John W. Young, International BaccalaureateMembers:Elizabeth Stone, Educational Testing ServiceMasha Bertling, Educational Testing ServiceTia Sukin, Pacific MetricsPatrick Meyer, University of VirginiaAmanda Clauser, National Board of MedicalExaminersMembers:Barbara J. Helms, Educational EvaluationConsultantKristen Huff, The Regents Research FundDavid Moss, University of ConnecticutThanos Patelis, National Center for theImprovement of Educational AssessmentDarlene Perner, Bloomsburg UniversitySite Selection CommitteeChair:Charles DePascale, National Center for theImprovement of Educational AssessmentConference AmbassadorsChair:Rochelle Michel, Curriculum AssociatesMembers:Nina Deng, Measured ProgressJessica Flake, York UniversityTeresa King, Educational Testing ServiceJason Kopp, American Board of SurgeryKate Marino, Pennsylvania State University:Educational PsychologyDarlene Perner, Bloomsbury University ofPennsylvaniaCathy Wendler, Educational Testing ServiceWhitney Zimmerman, Pennsylvania StateUniversity20Diversity CommitteeChair:Ellina Chernobilsky, Caldwell CollegeMembers:Kevin Crouse, Rutgers UniversityJennifer Randall, University of MassachusettsAmherstCaryn Terwilliger, Bloomsburg University ofPennsylvaniaInterdisciplinary Approaches, Collaborating MindsNERA 2015
NERA ReviewersNERA uses a process of blind peer review in order to evaluate each conference submission.Without our volunteer reviewers, this conference simply would not be possible. We sincerelythank each of them, listed below, for th
Below are descriptions of the different types of sessions, events, and experiences offered in the NERA program this year. Concurrent Sessions Paper Presentation Sessions: Paper sessions include the presentation of completed or nearly-completed research in 10-12 minutes among 3-5 other individual presentations grouped according to research area.
