The topic for this quantitative correlational study was the low proficiency in reading comprehension of graduates in the Jacksonville metropolitan area of North Florida. The research problem explored a statistically significant correlation between the Emotional Quotient score of the Emotional Intelligence inventory and individualized outcome…

The current study used principles of high-quality measurement design including domain specification, item generation, expert review, and piloting to develop two versions of a morphological awareness measure to be administered to 63 primarily English-speaking second grade students: the "Static Morphological Awareness Assessment (StMA)"…

The purpose of the quantitative ex-post facto study was to determine to what extent a predictive relationship exists between students' reading comprehension skills and mastery of conceptualizing mathematical problems for students in the fifth through eighth grades in a metropolitan area in the northeastern United States. The Federal School…

We study how to automatically generate cloze questions from given texts to assess reading comprehension, where a cloze question consists of a stem with a blank space holder for the answer key, and three distractors for generating confusions. We present a generative method called CQG (Cloze Question Generator) for constructing cloze questions from…

The purpose of this narrative study was to explore primary teachers' perceptions about computer-based reading comprehension assessments to understand their adoption practices and any associated hesitancy around implementing computer-based assessments. As such, this study sought understand how primary teachers explain their experiences, challenges,…

Advancements in technology and computer-based testing has allowed for greater flexibility in assessing examinee knowledge on large-scale, high-stakes assessments. Through computer-based delivery, cognitive ability and skills can be effectively assessed cost-efficiently and measure domains that are difficult or even impossible to measure with…

The purpose of this study was to determine if ongoing, sustained professional development in the area of reading resulted in an increase in student achievement on reading scores using i-Ready reading comprehension data. For the purpose of this study, students were divided into two groups: Group 1 was taught by teachers who received ongoing,…

The relationship between computer-based and paper-based testing may vary. Students with special needs may or may not perform better on computer-based testing compared to paper-based testing. Over the past few decades, computers and technology have increased in society and in classrooms. The use of technology has increased during the era of the…

Teachers in Florida are tasked with the insurmountable job of teaching the curriculum, supporting their students socially and emotionally, and differentiating instruction and assessments for all students in inclusion classrooms. In Florida, students labeled as English language learners (ELLs) with varying English language proficiency are placed in…

In educational and psychological assessments, attending to item response process can be useful in understanding and improving the validity of measurement. This dissertation consists of three studies each of which proposes and applies item response theory (IRT) methods for modeling and understanding cognitive/psychological response process in…

Curriculum-based measurement is designed to predict students' future reading performance and identify children in need of early reading intervention. Although curriculum-based measures in reading are commonly implemented in schools throughout the United States, their use with children living overseas is restricted due to the disparity that exists…

Purpose: The overarching purpose of this journal-ready dissertation was to determine the extent to which Grade 4 Black students differed in their reading performance on the Texas state-mandated assessment by their gender and by their economic status. Specifically addressed was the degree to which differences were presented in their ability to…

Reading comprehension assessments often vary from one measure to another related to the response format required, passage length and other variables. Yet, these measures purport to assess the same skill of reading comprehension, and they are often used interchangeably. Over the last decade some reading researchers have raised concerns that the…

This study sought to find if the implementation of the strategy of goal setting and reflective portfolios would improve reading comprehension among long-term English learners (LTELs), which in turn would impact their FastBridge aReading scores. LTELs have difficulty reclassifying, resulting in negative outcomes regarding graduation rates and…

This three-manuscript dissertation attempts to answer the question: "How does students' English language proficiency (ELP) inform the availability, structure, and use of English language accommodations and intervention to support the academic achievement of English learner (EL) students?" The question is addressed using three independent…