JMU Center for Assessment and Research Studies (CARS)

CARS is shining at the 2024 Assessment Institute! From an inspiring keynote to engaging sessions, our team is making an impact. Be sure to stop by our booth to discover CARS' innovative services and programs and a sneak peek at our upcoming virtual professional development workshops and events for Spring and Summer 2025. Learn more: bit.ly/4dOCejf #AssessmentInstitute2024 #CARS #HigherEducation #Assessment101 #ProfessionalDevelopment #EducationalResearch

So happy this book is out in the world! Keston Fulcher Elizabeth Roth Hawk Sanchez

Exciting News from CARS! CARS is thrilled to be part of the 2024 Assessment Institute in Indianapolis, October 27–29! We’re ready to make an impact with a series of dynamic sessions, insightful talks, and, yes, our very own booth! Swing by to connect with us and explore our latest work in assessment. Here is a sneak peek of the session to expect: Sunday, Oct 27, 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Full–Day Workshop: Assessment 101, Dr. Keston Fulcher and Laura Lambert.   Sunday, Oct 27, 7:00–8:15 p.m. Welcome Reception, Special Recognition, and Poster Session, sponsored by JMU Center for Assessment and Research Studies (CARS). Monday, Oct 28, 12:30–1:30 p.m. Session: Life After Meta-Assessment: James Madison University’s Assessment Evolution, Dr. Megan Rodgers Good, Josiah Hunsberger, and Stephanie LeRoy.   Monday, Oct 28, 1:45–2:45 pm. Session: Leveling Up Your Assessment Skills, Dr. Keston Fulcher and Dr. John Hathcoat.   Monday, Oct 28, 3:15–4:15 p.m. Session: Trends in Student Partnership and Engagement in Assessment: A Dialogue, Dr. Nicholas Curtis (University of Wisconsin–Madison) and Dr. Robin Anderson (JMU). Session: Methodology Part 1 of 2: Flexible R code for Assessment Practitioners, Laura Lambert.   Monday, Oct 28, 4:30–5:30 p.m. Session: Methodology Part 2 of 2: Data visualization in R, Laura Lambert. Session: Using Focus Groups to Enhance Student Voice in Assessment, Dr. John Hathcoat.   Monday, Oct 28, 5:30–6:45 p.m. Session: HIPs in the States Reception and Poster Session, open to all Institute attendees, Sponsored by JMU Center for Assessment and Research Studies (CARS).   Tuesday, Oct 29, 8:15–9:15 a.m. Keynote: Assessment and Accreditation: Tugging at the Constraints and Imagining a New Reality, Dr. Megan Rodgers Good and Autumn Wild (Moderator; JMU) along with colleagues Dr. David Eubanks (Furman), Dr. Josie Welsh (LeTourneau University) and Dr. Laura M. Gambino (NECHE). Tuesday, Oct 29, 1:15–2:15 p.m. Session: Revitalizing Assessment: Stories from James Madison University, Auburn, and Furman, Dr. Megan Rodgers Good (JMU) along with colleagues Dr. Katie Boyd, PhD (Auburn) and Dr. David Eubanks (Furman). Join us for a session, stop by our booth, or say hello at one of the receptions! Let’s engage, learn, and elevate our assessment practices together. #JMUCARS #PhDinAssessmentandMeasurement #HigherEducation #2024AssessmentInstitute

Publication Alert! Congratulations to Mara McFadden and Dr. Sara Finney on their latest publication in the International Journal of Testing: "Investigating the Impact of Multiple Priming Questions on Examinee Effort During Low-stakes Testing." In the study, Mara builds on prior studies of the question-behavior effect to prompt good test-taking effort. This intervention and the study of its effectiveness were all conducted in CARS at JMU! Specifically, Mara and her co-author, Dr. Finney, have shown that priming examinees with questions about intended effort prior to testing significantly increased self-reported effort and response-time effort. However, this question-behavior effect seemed to wear off later in a testing session. Mara McFadden and Dr. Sara Finney examined whether administering a second "dose" of the question-behavior effect could combat the decrease in examinee effort later in a testing session. They randomly assigned examinees to one of three question conditions prior to completing two low-stakes tests: answering three questions about intended effort directly before the first test in a session, answering three questions about intended effort directly before each test in a session, and answering no priming questions (control). Administering a second dose of questions directly before the second test in a session significantly increased response-time effort and self-reported effort for the more difficult test. This simple administration of multiple sets of questions throughout a testing session appears to combat issues with low effort on difficult tests that are administered later in a testing session. Dive into their insightful research here: https://bit.ly/4e2BV4y. #AssessmentandMeasurement #Research #Publishing #JMUCARS #HigherEducation

Save the Date! CARS is excited to offer the Managing Academic Degree Program Assessment in Higher Education workshop on January 7-9, 2025. Tailored for leaders in academic program assessment, this interactive and insightful workshop, led by Dr. Megan Rodgers Good, CARS Executive Director and the co-author of Assessment 101 in Higher Education, alongside her JMU colleague Laura Lambert, will equip leaders with the essential tools to build an effective institutional assessment system for academic programs. Who Should Attend: Folks in institutional assessment roles (e.g., Assessment Director, Assessment Specialist, Chair of University-wide Assessment Committee). Date: January 7-9, 2025 Location: Online – accessible from anywhere! Cost: $1,200 Registration Deadline: January 3, 2025 Learn more: https://bit.ly/4dOCejf Register now: https://bit.ly/4eSQIAf Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your program assessment leadership skills! #ManagingAcademicDegreeProgramAssessmentinHigherEducation #JMUCARS #CARSProfessionalDevelopment #ElevateYourSkills

Exciting Announcement! CARS proudly congratulates Riley Herr, a student in our Assessment and Measurement Ph.D. Program, for winning the prestigious Linda Townsend Award! Riley will be honored at the 2024 VAG Conference, November 20-22, in Staunton, Virginia. Find out more and register for the VAG conference: https://lnkd.in/gPMSNeiu #JMUCARS #AssessmentAndMeasurement #VAGConference2024

Special Invitation! In just three days, take a step toward advancing your career! Join us for an exciting Information Session on JMU's Ph.D. Program in Assessment and Measurement. Discover how you can develop cutting-edge skills and receive personalized mentorship to accelerate your professional journey. Date: Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 6 PM EST Registration Now: https://bit.ly/3zMTLuA Watch the Introductory video: https://bit.ly/3zXDx1I. Explore M.A. to Ph.D. Pathway: https://bit.ly/3U8LFTM Explore Bachelors to Ph.D. pathway: https://bit.ly/3U9qukH For further clarification, reach out to program director Dr. Brian Leventhal: leventbc@jmu.edu   #PhDinAssessmentandmeasurement #HigherEducation #AssessmentAndMeasurement #JMUCARS

Join Us for an Information Session on the Ph.D. Program in Assessment and Measurement! Are you passionate about data, analysis, and making a meaningful impact in education, government, or non-profits? Our Ph.D. Program in Assessment and Measurement at JMU offers you a unique opportunity to gain cutting-edge skills and personalized mentorship to advance your career. We offer two pathways in the program, whether you will enter the program with a master's or bachelor's degree. Our MA-to-PhD option offers a seamless pathway to obtain both an M.A. and a Ph.D.! Discover Your Future in Assessment and Measurement by joining our virtual Session: Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 6 PM EST Register now and secure your spot: https://bit.ly/3zMTLuA Check out our fun introductory video: https://bit.ly/3zXDx1I. Explore M.A. to Ph.D. Pathway: https://bit.ly/3U8LFTM Explore Bachelors to Ph.D. pathway: https://bit.ly/3U9qukH We look forward to seeing you at the virtual Session and welcoming you to our Ph.D. program. #VirtualSession #PhDinAssessmentandMeasurement #JMUCARS #Highereducation

 PD Invitation Alert! CARS is thrilled to offer the "Best Practices in Student Affairs Assessment: Resources to Support Program Theory, Implementation Fidelity, and Equity" workshop from January 14 to 16, 2025! Dr. Sara Finney will lead this must-attend professional development experience, with expert support from Riley Herr, MA, and Mara McFadden, MA, CARS graduate assistants and assessment consultants. Why You Should Attend: This workshop is designed to transform your approach to assessment of student success and student affairs programming! Dive into essential topics such as Program Theory, Implementation Fidelity, and Equity Considerations. A comprehensive rubric to guide your assessment process and improve its quality will be shared, along with many other resources to support your professional growth in best practices for outcomes assessment.   Who Should Attend: student affairs educators, professionals overseeing and evaluating student success programs, or high education assessment practitioners. 📅 Dates: January 14-16, 2025 ⏰ Time: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM EST 🌐 Location: Online - join us from anywhere! 💲 Cost: $1,200 View Dr. Finney's profile: https://bit.ly/3Y7ui6T Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/3XRQEKU #BestPracticesinAssessment #JMUCARS #CARSProfessionalDevelopment #ElevateYourSkills