www.coe.uga.edu/research/the-institute

The Institute for Interdisciplinary Research in Education and Human Development

A B O U T T H E

INSTITUTE

4Research and Development (R&D) Centers

R&D Centers support multiple Principal Investigators (PIs), each pursuing someaspect of the coordinated research program of that center. There are currentlyfive R&D Centers in the COE that are part of the Institute:

•Center for Latino Achievement and Success in Education (CLASE)

•Georgia Center for Assessment

•Learning Performance and Support Laboratory

•Program Evaluation Group

•Torrance Center for Creativity and Talent Development

401

The College of Education Research Office’s mission is

to Enhance Our College-Wide Culture of Research. Our

faculty are involved in a broad array of research projects

impacting our world, economy, and citizens. The Institute

for Interdisciplinary Research in Education and Human

Development (The Institute) furthers the research culture of

the College by providing opportunities for interdisciplinary

and collaborative research. Study groups in the Institute

help facilitate focused approaches to topics and develop

strategies for grants and implementation of solutions.

Institute researchers are involved at all levels of education,

pioneering methods for formal and informal learning to

enhance education from elementary school through

adulthood, including those with physical and cognitive

disabilities, and seeking ways to improve health and

wellness throughout the lifespan.

COE researchers at all levels of education are at the

forefront of asking questions and posing innovative

solutions to some of the most challenging questions of

today using a breadth of theoretical perspectives and

research methodologies across a range of disciplines.

College of Education research is innovative and unique,

using state-of-the-art methodologies to solve today’s

problems and address tomorrow’s questions.

Michael S. Ferrara, Ph.D., ATCAssociate Dean of ResearchCollege of EducationThe University of Georgia

A D V A N C I N G K N O W L E D G E

CHANGING LIVES

The Institute for Interdisciplinary Research in Education and HumanDevelopment is housed in the University of Georgia College ofEducation Research Office and assembles the significant strengthsof faculty members across colleges and disciplines at the Universityof Georgia. The Institute brings together and encourages the devel-opment of interdisciplinary teams of researchers and helps themobtain external funding for their research.

The Institute supports research, provides professional developmentgrowth opportunities, and increases the opportunities for receivingextramural funding. The Institute facilitates several study groups andhouses research and development (R&D) centers. The activities ofthe Institute focus on developing and supporting the infrastructureneeded for large-scale interdisciplinary research projects to helpthem secure external funding for their research. A cooperative andcollaborative spirit is encouraged and embraced.

v

A B O U T T H E

INSTITUTE

4Research and Development (R&D) Centers

R&D Centers support multiple Principal Investigators (PIs), each pursuing someaspect of the coordinated research program of that center. There are currentlyfive R&D Centers in the COE that are part of the Institute:

•Center for Latino Achievement and Success in Education (CLASE)

•Georgia Center for Assessment

•Learning Performance and Support Laboratory

•Program Evaluation Group

•Torrance Center for Creativity and Talent Development

4

01

The College of Education Research Office’s mission is

to Enhance Our College-Wide Culture of Research. Our

faculty are involved in a broad array of research projects

impacting our world, economy, and citizens. The Institute

for Interdisciplinary Research in Education and Human

Development (The Institute) furthers the research culture of

the College by providing opportunities for interdisciplinary

and collaborative research. Study groups in the Institute

help facilitate focused approaches to topics and develop

strategies for grants and implementation of solutions.

Institute researchers are involved at all levels of education,

pioneering methods for formal and informal learning to

enhance education from elementary school through

adulthood, including those with physical and cognitive

disabilities, and seeking ways to improve health and

wellness throughout the lifespan.

COE researchers at all levels of education are at the

forefront of asking questions and posing innovative

solutions to some of the most challenging questions of

today using a breadth of theoretical perspectives and

research methodologies across a range of disciplines.

College of Education research is innovative and unique,

using state-of-the-art methodologies to solve today’s

problems and address tomorrow’s questions.

Michael S. Ferrara, Ph.D., ATCAssociate Dean of ResearchCollege of EducationThe University of Georgia

A D V A N C I N G K N O W L E D G E

CHANGING LIVES

The Institute for Interdisciplinary Research in Education and HumanDevelopment is housed in the University of Georgia College ofEducation Research Office and assembles the significant strengthsof faculty members across colleges and disciplines at the Universityof Georgia. The Institute brings together and encourages the devel-opment of interdisciplinary teams of researchers and helps themobtain external funding for their research.

The Institute supports research, provides professional developmentgrowth opportunities, and increases the opportunities for receivingextramural funding. The Institute facilitates several study groups andhouses research and development (R&D) centers. The activities ofthe Institute focus on developing and supporting the infrastructureneeded for large-scale interdisciplinary research projects to helpthem secure external funding for their research. A cooperative andcollaborative spirit is encouraged and embraced.

v

Center for Latino Achievement and Success in Education (CLASE)

Pedro Portes, Executive DirectorThe Goizueta Foundation Distinguished Chair of Latino Teacher Educationportes@uga.edu

The Center for Latino Achievement and Success in Education (CLASE) is an educational R&D center that provides:

•Research to inform teachers and educators on how to reduce the achievement gap for Latino children, especially in Georgia.

•Professional development and resources for K-12 educators working with Latinos statewide.

•Outreach support through mentoring/tutoring and extended learning opportunities for Latino students placed at risk.

•Program support in developing a pipeline to post-secondary education for Latino students.

•Research-based policy recommendations for decision-makers and stakeholders at the state, regional, and national levels.

CLASE aims to narrow the achievement gap of Latino students placed at risk dueto poverty and language barriers and to improve the level of education of Latinostudents (PreK-16) statewide. Its goals include the following:

•Researching and disseminating promising/best practices for Latino education

•Developing and supporting appropriate programs by leveraging federal, private, and state funding

•Creating and enhancing partnerships to raise the learning and social outcomes of Latinos in Georgia and the nation

For more information, visit CLASE at www.coe.uga.edu/clase/

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03

Georgia Center for Assessment

Allan Cohen, DirectorAderhold Professor of Research Methodologyacohen@uga.edu

The professional assessment teams at the Georgia Center for Assessment (GCA)are experienced at scoring short-answer items and constructed response essays inall of the content areas at all grade levels. Our staff have expertise in all phases ofthe following areas:

•Test scoring

•Test development

•Training

• Surveys

•Program evaluation

To assist local school districts in preparing their students for these tests, GCA provides Supplementary Writing Assessments at the elementary, middle, and highschool levels and a Predictor Test for the High School Graduation Tests in Scienceand Social Studies.

GCA also provides research and measurement services to several local schools districts (Clarke, Cobb, Gwinnett, and Cherokee counties) and education agenciessuch as the Southern Regional Education Board and the Georgia Department ofEducation. As a service function to the College of Education, GCA processescourse evaluations.

For more information, visit GCA at http://archive.coe.uga.edu/gca/

Center for Latino Achievement and Success in Education (CLASE)

Pedro Portes, Executive DirectorThe Goizueta Foundation Distinguished Chair of Latino Teacher Educationportes@uga.edu

The Center for Latino Achievement and Success in Education (CLASE) is an educational R&D center that provides:

•Research to inform teachers and educators on how to reduce the achievement gap for Latino children, especially in Georgia.

•Professional development and resources for K-12 educators working with Latinos statewide.

•Outreach support through mentoring/tutoring and extended learning opportunities for Latino students placed at risk.

•Program support in developing a pipeline to post-secondary education for Latino students.

•Research-based policy recommendations for decision-makers and stakeholders at the state, regional, and national levels.

CLASE aims to narrow the achievement gap of Latino students placed at risk dueto poverty and language barriers and to improve the level of education of Latinostudents (PreK-16) statewide. Its goals include the following:

•Researching and disseminating promising/best practices for Latino education

•Developing and supporting appropriate programs by leveraging federal, private, and state funding

•Creating and enhancing partnerships to raise the learning and social outcomes of Latinos in Georgia and the nation

For more information, visit CLASE at www.coe.uga.edu/clase/

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02

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03

Georgia Center for Assessment

Allan Cohen, DirectorAderhold Professor of Research Methodologyacohen@uga.edu

The professional assessment teams at the Georgia Center for Assessment (GCA)are experienced at scoring short-answer items and constructed response essays inall of the content areas at all grade levels. Our staff have expertise in all phases ofthe following areas:

•Test scoring

•Test development

•Training

• Surveys

•Program evaluation

To assist local school districts in preparing their students for these tests, GCA provides Supplementary Writing Assessments at the elementary, middle, and highschool levels and a Predictor Test for the High School Graduation Tests in Scienceand Social Studies.

GCA also provides research and measurement services to several local schools districts (Clarke, Cobb, Gwinnett, and Cherokee counties) and education agenciessuch as the Southern Regional Education Board and the Georgia Department ofEducation. As a service function to the College of Education, GCA processescourse evaluations.

For more information, visit GCA at http://archive.coe.uga.edu/gca/

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044

05

Learning Performance and Support Laboratory

Michael Hannafin, DirectorGeorgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Technology-Enhanced Learninghannafin@uga.edu

The Learning and Performance Support Laboratory (LPSL) is an interdisciplinary research group. The LPSL was established in 1994 through funding from theGeorgia Research Alliance to advance technology-related research in strategicareas considered vital to the state's future.

The LPSL is focused on education-related R&D—one of a handful of educationaltechnology research laboratories nationwide. The mission of the LPSL is to engage in research and development in three strategic impact areas: emerginglearning environments, teacher education and school reform, and assessment andevaluation.

The LPSL has formed a unique team of faculty and research scientists. The groupalso engages in collaborations with external agencies, laboratories, companies, universities, schools, and individuals. Three major themes characterize the missionand spirit of the LPSL:

•A commitment to theoretically grounded research, both basic and applied, that contributes to our understanding of how learning and performance may be enhanced by technology.

•A commitment to research and development that will establish a leading-edge capability in the state of Georgia for technology-enhanced learning, performance assessment, and information access at all levels of education, training, and work.

•A commitment to developing partnerships and research collaborations with other institutions, businesses, and agencies in the state, the nation, and internationally.

For more information, visit LPSL at http://lpsl.coe.uga.edu/

Program Evaluation GroupKaren DeMeester, Directorkarend@uga.edu

The Program Evaluation Group (PEG) has over 15 years of experience conductingprogram evaluations and research studies for government and education agenciesand institutions, community organizations, and private enterprises at the local,state, national, and international levels.

PEG’s mission is to improve learning and performance for children and adults by providing researchers, funders, program leaders, and other decision makerswith the comprehensive, rigorous, and relevant data they need to measure andcontinuously improve the impact of their studies, investments, and programs.

PEG provides expertise in the design and implementation of evaluation and research projects ranging from large, multi-site, multi-method evaluations tosmall, local assessments of education and community programs. PEG provides afull range of evaluation services from conducting needs assessments and creatinglogic models to producing reports and presentations of formative and summativefindings for diverse stakeholders and policymakers.

For more information, visit PEG at www.coe.uga.edu/peg/

The Institute assists group members

with administrative support, mentoring,

and assistance in obtaining funding

for their activities.

4

04

4

05

Learning Performance and Support Laboratory

Michael Hannafin, DirectorGeorgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Technology-Enhanced Learninghannafin@uga.edu

The Learning and Performance Support Laboratory (LPSL) is an interdisciplinary research group. The LPSL was established in 1994 through funding from theGeorgia Research Alliance to advance technology-related research in strategicareas considered vital to the state's future.

The LPSL is focused on education-related R&D—one of a handful of educationaltechnology research laboratories nationwide. The mission of the LPSL is to engage in research and development in three strategic impact areas: emerginglearning environments, teacher education and school reform, and assessment andevaluation.

The LPSL has formed a unique team of faculty and research scientists. The groupalso engages in collaborations with external agencies, laboratories, companies, universities, schools, and individuals. Three major themes characterize the missionand spirit of the LPSL:

•A commitment to theoretically grounded research, both basic and applied, that contributes to our understanding of how learning and performance may be enhanced by technology.

•A commitment to research and development that will establish a leading-edge capability in the state of Georgia for technology-enhanced learning, performance assessment, and information access at all levels of education, training, and work.

•A commitment to developing partnerships and research collaborations with other institutions, businesses, and agencies in the state, the nation, and internationally.

For more information, visit LPSL at http://lpsl.coe.uga.edu/

Program Evaluation GroupKaren DeMeester, Directorkarend@uga.edu

The Program Evaluation Group (PEG) has over 15 years of experience conductingprogram evaluations and research studies for government and education agenciesand institutions, community organizations, and private enterprises at the local,state, national, and international levels.

PEG’s mission is to improve learning and performance for children and adults by providing researchers, funders, program leaders, and other decision makerswith the comprehensive, rigorous, and relevant data they need to measure andcontinuously improve the impact of their studies, investments, and programs.

PEG provides expertise in the design and implementation of evaluation and research projects ranging from large, multi-site, multi-method evaluations tosmall, local assessments of education and community programs. PEG provides afull range of evaluation services from conducting needs assessments and creatinglogic models to producing reports and presentations of formative and summativefindings for diverse stakeholders and policymakers.

For more information, visit PEG at www.coe.uga.edu/peg/

The Institute assists group members

with administrative support, mentoring,

and assistance in obtaining funding

for their activities.

4

064

07

4Research Study Groups

Research study groups are formed to enable scholars to establish a coordinatedprogram of research among the study group members. The Institute does notprovide direct funding of study group activities, but will assist group memberswith administrative support, mentoring, and assistance in obtaining funding foractivities such as specialized conferences or training that can increase the likelihoodof securing external funding. The following groups have taken advantage of theInstitute’s support and services:

•Assessing Learning in Complex Domains

•Autism Spectrum Disorders Research and Training Consortium Study Group

•Content-Area Studies with English Language Learners Research Group

•Creativity Research Group

•Diversity Center Initiative Study Group

•Equity & Diversity

•Data for Improved Learning Instruction Study Group

•Philosophically Informed Research Study Group

• Standards-Based Instruction Study Group

•Urban Education Study Group

The Institute brings together and

encourages the development of

interdisciplinary teams of researchers

and helps them obtain external

funding for their research.

Torrance Center for Creativity & Talent DevelopmentBonnie Cramond, Directorbcramond@uga.edu

The Torrance Center™ for Creativity & Talent Development is named for the late Dr. E. Paul Torrance, a native Georgian and UGA Alumni Foundation Distinguished Professor Emeritus, known around the world as the “Father ofCreativity.” All programs and activities build on the legacy of Dr. Torrance, whowas a pioneer in research on the identification and development of creative potential.

The Torrance Center works with local, state, national, and international educational entities to carry out its missions of service, research, and instruction.The goals of the Torrance Center are to investigate, implement, and evaluate techniques for enhancing creative thinking and to facilitate national and international systems that support creative development.

•Duke Talent Identification Program: Duke TIP Academic Adventures and Duke TIP Scholarship Weekends

•Training Opportunities website: www.coe.uga.edu/torrance/training-opportunities/

•Torrance Legacy Awards - Creating Writing

•Torrance Legacy Awards - Visual Arts

For more information, visit the Torrance Center at www.coe.uga.edu/torrance/

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4Research Study Groups

Research study groups are formed to enable scholars to establish a coordinatedprogram of research among the study group members. The Institute does notprovide direct funding of study group activities, but will assist group memberswith administrative support, mentoring, and assistance in obtaining funding foractivities such as specialized conferences or training that can increase the likelihoodof securing external funding. The following groups have taken advantage of theInstitute’s support and services:

•Assessing Learning in Complex Domains

•Autism Spectrum Disorders Research and Training Consortium Study Group

•Content-Area Studies with English Language Learners Research Group

•Creativity Research Group

•Diversity Center Initiative Study Group

•Equity & Diversity

•Data for Improved Learning Instruction Study Group

•Philosophically Informed Research Study Group

• Standards-Based Instruction Study Group

•Urban Education Study Group

The Institute brings together and

encourages the development of

interdisciplinary teams of researchers

and helps them obtain external

funding for their research.

Torrance Center for Creativity & Talent DevelopmentBonnie Cramond, Directorbcramond@uga.edu

The Torrance Center™ for Creativity & Talent Development is named for the late Dr. E. Paul Torrance, a native Georgian and UGA Alumni Foundation Distinguished Professor Emeritus, known around the world as the “Father ofCreativity.” All programs and activities build on the legacy of Dr. Torrance, whowas a pioneer in research on the identification and development of creative potential.

The Torrance Center works with local, state, national, and international educational entities to carry out its missions of service, research, and instruction.The goals of the Torrance Center are to investigate, implement, and evaluate techniques for enhancing creative thinking and to facilitate national and international systems that support creative development.

•Duke Talent Identification Program: Duke TIP Academic Adventures and Duke TIP Scholarship Weekends

•Training Opportunities website: www.coe.uga.edu/torrance/training-opportunities/

•Torrance Legacy Awards - Creating Writing

•Torrance Legacy Awards - Visual Arts

For more information, visit the Torrance Center at www.coe.uga.edu/torrance/

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08

4Pre-Award and Post-Award Grant Services

The Institute provides services to help encourage and support interdisciplinary research efforts as well as efforts to obtain external funding. These pre-award andpost-award services are provided to any College of Education R&D Center, academic department, study group, or individual investigator.

Pre-Award Services

•Provide support in organizing interdisciplinary teams of researchers to explore external funding possibilities

•Provide support in identifying external funding opportunities by linking faculty interdisciplinary research interests with available funding opportunities

•Provide support in writing grants, online submissions, budget development, and analysis

•Advise PIs on budget strategies, policies, and guidelines

•Assist PIs in final negotiations with UGA and funding agencies

•Provide PIs with information about cost sharing

Contact Grace Thornton (gthorn@uga.edu) or Kim Wright (kawright@uga.edu) for more information.

Post-Award Services

•Provide financial management assistance

•Ensure compliance with federal, state, sponsor, and university regulations about sponsored-project administration

•Prepare monthly financial status reports for PIs

Contact Kim Wright (kawright@uga.edu) or Teresa Melton (tmelton@uga.edu)for more information.

www.coe.uga.edu/research/the-institute

4

08

4Pre-Award and Post-Award Grant Services

The Institute provides services to help encourage and support interdisciplinary research efforts as well as efforts to obtain external funding. These pre-award andpost-award services are provided to any College of Education R&D Center, academic department, study group, or individual investigator.

Pre-Award Services

•Provide support in organizing interdisciplinary teams of researchers to explore external funding possibilities

•Provide support in identifying external funding opportunities by linking faculty interdisciplinary research interests with available funding opportunities

•Provide support in writing grants, online submissions, budget development, and analysis

•Advise PIs on budget strategies, policies, and guidelines

•Assist PIs in final negotiations with UGA and funding agencies

•Provide PIs with information about cost sharing

Contact Grace Thornton (gthorn@uga.edu) or Kim Wright (kawright@uga.edu) for more information.

Post-Award Services

•Provide financial management assistance

•Ensure compliance with federal, state, sponsor, and university regulations about sponsored-project administration

•Prepare monthly financial status reports for PIs

Contact Kim Wright (kawright@uga.edu) or Teresa Melton (tmelton@uga.edu)for more information.

www.coe.uga.edu/research/the-institute

125 Aderhold Hall | Athens, GA 30602706.542.4558 | www.coe.uga.edu/research/the-institute