PRINCIPLE INVESTIGATOR'S CURRICULUM VITAE

CONTACT INFORMATION

Stephanie W. Cawthon, Ph.D.
Austin, TX 78754
stephanie.cawthon@mail.utexas.edu

More Information

AREAS OF SCHOLARSHIP

• Educational Policy: Inclusion of students with disabilities in instruction and assessment
• Students with Disabilities: Language development, communication and literacy
• Research: Integration of quantitative and qualitative research designs
• Teaching: Research training in graduate education, asynchronous learning communities

EDUCATION

CURRENT PROJECTS

Principal Investigator, Schools for the Deaf and No Child Left Behind (2003-present). This project focuses on the variability in state accountability plans and how this impacts what we know about student achievement under the No Child Left Behind framework. In the initial phases of implementation, state accountability plans identified specific policies regarding data reporting for students who attend schools for the deaf. Although many states do provide student data at the attending school, many report these data back to the referring district (Cawthon, 2004b). In the past year, information from school report cards, student achievement data, and designations of Adequate Yearly Progress for schools for the deaf have increased significantly (Cawthon, in press-a). Related projects include collaborations with Dr. Michael Karchmer and Dr. Ross Mitchell at Gallaudet Research Institute looking at issues of deafness, alternate assessment and accountability frameworks.

Principal Investigator, National Survey of Assessments and Accommodations for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (2004-present). The aim of this project is to gather information about assessment participation, accommodations, and use of alternate assessments for students who are deaf or hard of hearing in a range of educational settings. The study is national in scope and has included both online and traditional survey methods. Recruitment strategies were also developed to reach out to teachers, school psychologists, and administrators who work with this target population. Preliminary findings were presented at AERA (Cawthon, 2005, April-a) and CEASD (Cawthon, 2005, April –b) conferences. An article describing the methodology of this survey is forthcoming in April, 2006 (Cawthon, in press-b). The manuscript discussing findings from the first phase is under review. The study will be launched once again in November, 2007. Project website: www.dhhsurvey.org.

Principal Investigator, Online Graduate Research Lab in Psychology (2004-present). This project investigates the process and effectiveness of a research lab for students in an online graduate program. The research lab was developed to give students in psychology an opportunity to participate in a “live” faculty research program, similar to what is commonly found in land-based institutions. This project is a case study investigation of the research lab at Walden University that uses online classroom technology and student-centered learning principles identified by the asynchronous education research community. Central themes include cognitive apprenticeship, adult learner characteristics, and asynchronous technology and online pedagogy. The project utilizes a mixed-method case study design including interviews, surveys, and transcript analysis of the collaborative process. Conference presentations include Cawthon & Harris (2005, Aug.) and Harris, et al. (2005, Nov.), with an article under review.

Home | Survey | Publications | Resources | Mailing List | Sponsors | The Team | Contact Us |
Principle Investigator | Research Results