Know the Data
Click each title page below to learn more about the research undertaken by my collaborators and myself.
University of Kansas, Department of Special Education
KU Center on Disability, The Science of Teacher Reading and Mathematics
Data-Based Decision Making
A primary objective of my scholarship is to teach data literacy skills through self-determination processes (i.e., self-monitoring) to students with or at-risk for disabilities (SWD). SWD have more experiences of failure in school affecting their overall motivation. I have led and served as methodologist on systematic literature reviews related to self-determination and motivation. This research suggests interventions that teach self-determination skills have positive effects; however, there is a lack of self-determination and motivation research at the elementary level. As primary investigator, I evaluated the impact of teaching data literacy skills through a self-determination program called Data Mountain and findings highlight the potential of the program to improve academic outcomes for SWD.
Professional Development
A secondary aim of my research is to provide teachers with high quality professional development to learn evidence-based practices, like the skills related to data-based decision-making. I seek to understand high quality learning experiences for designing teacher professional development. I have led and collaborated on systematic literature reviews to better understand teachers as learners. Active participation, sustained support, and clear learning goals are critical to improving teachers’ knowledge, skills, and beliefs.
Other Research
In the media
Click the picture or the title to learn more!
Flightless Bird Podcast, April 29, 2025