"Achievement scores fit the American belief in a single dimension of ability that distinguishes winners from losers... [but] over-measurement in K-12 education has sent the wrong signals to teachers and students...[and] the tests work against what many people value as education, which is application of concepts and procedures to real-world situations... That's why in K-12 education, we are now involved in a reform of how we measure achievement." [from a recent interview]
For over 20 years, Dr. Shavelson has sought new techniques for measuring educational performance in ways that contribute to, rather than undermine, valued educational goals. He has explored, for example, alternatives to multiple-choice tests in schools, the workplace, and the military. Much of his research has focused on new assessment tools for science and mathematics. He has worked to apply his research findings to California testing standards.
Current Research: Measuring individual and group performance in science and mathematics; teaching of mathematical problem-solving; implementing information technology in science curricula.
Education: AB, University of Oregon; MA, San Jose State College; PhD in Educational Psychology, Stanford University (1971).
Professional Experience: Assistant/Associate Professor of Education, Stanford and University of California at Los Angeles (1971-79); Professor of Education, University of California at Los Angeles (1979-88); Director, Education and Human Resources Program, The RAND Corporation (1980-85); Dean, Graduate School of Education, University of California at Santa Barbara (1987- 93); Visiting Professorships in Australia, Finland, and Switzerland, and Humboldt Fellowship in Germany (1994).
Stanford from 1995. As the dean of the School of Education, he is currently formulating a five- year plan for the School; creating an advisory council of scholars, alumni, and leaders in education, business, and the local community; and investigating partnerships with Stanford's schools of business, law, engineering, and humanities and sciences.
Activities and Awards: Member, American Educational Research Association, American Statistical Association, National Council on Measurement in Education, and National Society for the Study of Education; Fellow, American Psychological Association and American Psychological Society.
Publications:
Generalizability Theory: A Primer (with N.M. Webb, 1991);
Statistical Reasoning for the Behavioral Sciences (3rd edition due 1995);
Indicators for Monitoring Mathematics and Science Education (co-authored, 1989);
over 100 articles, reports, chapters.