The uncertainty arising from item parameter estimation is often not negligible and must be accounted for when calculating latent variable (LV) scores in item response theory (IRT). It is particularly so when the calibration sample size is limited and/or the calibration IRT model is complex. In the current work, we treat two-stage IRT scoring as a…

The purpose of this study is to develop an estimate of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) that will allow for reliable and valid comparisons among student subgroups, schools, and districts. A shrinkage-type estimator of AYP using the Bayesian framework is described. Using simulated data, the performance of the Bayes estimator will be compared to…

Theoretical models specifying indirect or mediated effects are common in the social sciences. An indirect effect exists when an independent variable's influence on the dependent variable is mediated through an intervening variable. Classic approaches to assessing such mediational hypotheses (Baron & Kenny, 1986; Sobel, 1982) have in recent years…