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American Educational Research Association


Short-term community college certificate programs offer limited labor-market returns

Research published by the American Educational Research Association found that short-term community college certificate programs have minimal economic returns in most fields of study. Associate degrees and long-term certificates, on the other hand, are associated with significant wage gains and increased employment rates. The study sug...

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalEducational Evaluation and Policy Analysis·DateNov 6, 2014

Study: Attending a more selective college doesn't mean a better chance of graduating

A new study published in the American Educational Research Journal found that attending a more selective college does not significantly impact a student's chance of graduating with a bachelor's degree. Instead, factors such as individual background characteristics and institutional resources like tuition play a crucial role in determin...

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalAmerican Educational Research Journal·DateAug 7, 2014

First-grade teachers using ineffective instruction for math-challenged students

A study found that first-grade teachers in classrooms with more students who struggle with math were more likely to use non-traditional, ineffective instructional practices. In contrast, traditional teacher-directed instruction was associated with achievement gains for students with mathematics difficulties.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalEducational Evaluation and Policy Analysis·DateJun 26, 2014

Study: Little evidence that No Child Left Behind has hurt teacher job satisfaction

Researchers analyzed a nationally representative sample of 140,000 teachers and found that NCLB's accountability pressures may have improved classroom autonomy and administrator support, rather than reducing job satisfaction. The study contradicts conventional wisdom on the law's impact on teacher morale.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalEducational Evaluation and Policy Analysis·DateJun 10, 2014

Study: Addressing 'mischievous responders' would increase validity of adolescent research

Researchers may underestimate disparities between groups due to 'mischievous responders' who intentionally provide inaccurate answers on surveys. A new sensitivity-analysis procedure identifies and reduces bias in research data, ensuring sound conclusions for policymaking and effective support for marginalized groups.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalEducational Researcher·DateMay 15, 2014

Study: state VAMS don't reflect content, quality of teachers' instruction

A new study published in Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis found no association between multiple-measure teaching effectiveness ratings and the content of teachers' instruction. The researchers suggest that value-added models are not useful for evaluating teacher performance or shaping classroom instruction.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalEducational Evaluation and Policy Analysis·DateMay 13, 2014

Researchers find substantial drop in use of affirmative action in college admissions

Researchers found a substantial drop in the use of affirmative action in college admissions from 1992 to 2004. Selective public colleges in states affected by statewide bans or judicial rulings significantly reduced their affirmative action policies, whereas others continued to prioritize minority applicants.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalEducational Evaluation and Policy Analysis·DateJan 13, 2014

Automated test construction can better assess student mastery of common core state standards

A new algorithm for automated test construction has been developed to improve the alignment and validity of assessments for the Common Core State Standards. The study found that this approach can provide more accurate measures of student mastery, which is essential for effective instructional time use by school leaders. Additionally, t...

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalEducational Researcher·DateNov 13, 2013

October 2013 Educational Researcher examines gender gap in college enrollment

The October issue of Educational Researcher explores the role of sorting between boys and girls across public U.S. high schools in explaining the gender gap in college enrollment, particularly for black and Hispanic students. The study reveals that even modest amounts of gender sorting contribute to gender inequality in college entry.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalEducational Researcher·DateOct 29, 2013

The impact of affirmative action bans in graduate fields of study

Research by Liliana M. Garces shows that affirmative action bans have a significant impact on the enrollment of students of color in various graduate fields, particularly engineering and natural sciences. The study suggests that institutions must adopt innovative outreach and recruitment practices to reverse underrepresentation trends.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalAmerican Educational Research Journal·DateJan 24, 2013

Challenges and opportunities for improving community college student success

A University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher systematically examined 25 years of rigorous research to explain community college student success and identify remedies for dropouts. Key findings include the importance of institutional practices, federal and state resources, and incentives for college and student performance.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalReview of Educational Research·DateOct 4, 2010

Educational researcher devotes May issue to 'Report of the National Early Literacy Panel'

The May issue of Educational Researcher provides a significant scholarly review of the National Early Literacy Panel (NELP) Report, which presents findings on early literacy measures correlating with later literacy achievement. The report also examines teaching methods and language development in preschool and kindergarten settings.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalEducational Researcher·DateMay 31, 2010

AERA journal presents research on use of observational methods to improve instruction

Researchers examine the effectiveness of individualized instruction and observational tools to improve reading skills in fourth- and fifth-grade classrooms. Classroom observations and teacher logs are found to be reliable and valid methods for measuring instruction, with potential benefits for future research studies.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalEducational Researcher·DateMar 30, 2009

Educational Researcher devoted to report of the National Mathematics Advisory Panel

The National Mathematics Advisory Panel's final report was subject to scrutiny in a special issue of Educational Researcher, with experts discussing the report's limitations and potential solutions. Researchers highlighted concerns over quantitative focus, lack of clear framing, and failure to address achievement disparities.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalEducational Researcher·DateDec 8, 2008

Test scores slow under No Child Left Behind reforms, gauged by states/federal assessment

A recent study by Bruce Fuller and colleagues found that progress in raising test scores was stronger before No Child Left Behind was approved, compared to the four years following enactment of the law. The researchers tracked progress in both state and federal test scores in 12 diverse states, going back to 1992, and found that annual...

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalEducational Researcher·DateJul 30, 2007

Another view of Chicago school policy

Professor Lipman's research highlights how current policies exacerbate existing inequalities and create new ones. She recommends providing all students with an intellectually rich education, deploying significant resources to under-resourced schools, and challenging deficit notions about children of color.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalAmerican Educational Research Journal·DateSep 4, 2002

Choice-based placement policies are insufficient to shift low-income and minority students

A three-year study found that choice-based placement policies failed to improve academic outcomes for low-income and minority students due to institutional barriers and student aspirations. Students often preferred familiar low-track classrooms over honors courses, citing role strain and desire for respect.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalAmerican Educational Research Journal·DateMay 20, 2002