K–12 assessments are an integral part of learning and teaching. The K–12 Teaching, Learning and Assessment Research Center at ETS aims to:
The center's work employs and contributes to the development of learning theories and models including cognitive, social and cultural dimensions of learning. It is also informed by new standards intended to prepare college- and career-ready young adults, including Next Generation Science Standards, and college- and career-ready standards in mathematics and English-language arts.
The center staff recognize that teaching and teachers are among the most important school-related factors in student learning, and that assessment (formative and summative) plays an essential role of supporting teachers to make instructional decisions and evaluate student progress. The center remains at the forefront of engagement with teachers, students, school districts, and state and national stakeholders in order to best address the issues and challenges they face.
View the 2019 Simulations in Teacher Education Conference for short papers and presentations from the conference, which examines the role of simulations in K–12 science and mathematics teacher education.
The center conducts foundational research to leverage modern technologies and methodologies to design and investigate the effectiveness of assessment, learning and instructional innovations. The center also conducts applied research that provides evidence to inform new product development related to student and teacher assessments.
One line of the center's research focuses on the use of simulated classrooms to support teacher learning (e.g., NSF grant #1621344).
The center currently has the following major focus areas:
