With almost $66 million in expenditures this past fiscal year, the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences continues to grow in our research efforts. Below you’ll find the current research projects being conducted by our faculty. You can also learn more about our research initiatives on our blog.
"INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORTS FOR CHILDREN WITH DYSLEXIA LEARNING TO READ COMPLEX WORDS"
PI: Dr. Laura Steacy
Funding Agency: Institute of Education Sciences, USDOE
Description: The purpose of this grant is to better understanding factors associated with complex word reading among students with dyslexia and the effect of malleable instructional approaches for teaching complex words. Learn more.
"EXPERIENTIAL AND CHILD FACTORS THAT DETERMINE ACQUISITION OF ORTHOGRAPHIC-PHONOLOGICAL REGULARITIES IN A QUASI-REGULAR WRITING SYSTEM: AN INTEGRATED BEHAVIORAL/COMPUTATIONAL/NEUROBIOLOGICAL APPROACH"
PI: Dr. Donald Compton, Co-PI: Dr. Laura Steacy
Funding Agency: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health
Description: This Learning Disabilities Hub Grant explores how young readers acquire context-dependent sound-to-spelling relationships and why these relationships are easier for some children to acquire than others. The findings from this study will be used to inform word reading instruction and will hopefully lead to better educational practices and offer unique insight into literacy acquisition by children with significant reading difficulties. Learn more.
"TEACHING TOGETHER: THE ADDED VALUE OF TIERED SCHOOL PLUS HOME INTERVENTIONS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AT-RISK FOR LANGUAGE DIFFICULTIES"
PI: Tricia Zucker (University of Texas Houston Medical Center), Co-PI: Dr. Sonia Cabell (PI of subcontract to FSU)
Funding Agency: Institute of Education Sciences, USDOE
Description: The purpose of this project is to examine the efficacy of the Teaching Together program for pre-kindergarten children who are at risk of academic difficulties due to limited oral language skills. This project is unique in its focus on oral language supports in both the classroom and home settings. Learn more.
“EFFICACY OF THE CORE KNOWLEDGE LANGUAGE ARTS READ ALOUD PROGRAM IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH SECOND GRADE CLASSROOMS”
PI: Dr. Sonia Cabell
Funding Agency: Institute of Education Sciences, USDOE
The purpose of this project is to test the efficacy of the widely-used Core Knowledge Language Arts: Knowledge Strand read-aloud program in the primary grades. This program is a content-rich English Language Arts program that seeks to systematically build children’s knowledge of science and social studies topics, while at the same time supporting vocabulary and listening comprehension. Learn more.
“TEACHING TOGETHER: A MULTIMEDIA SCHOOL-HOME INTERVENTION FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AT-RISK FOR ACADEMIC DIFFICULTIES”
PI: Tricia Zucker (University of Texas Houston Medical Center), Co-PI: Dr. Sonia Cabell (PI of subcontract to FSU)
Funding Agency: Institute of Education Sciences, USDOE
The purpose of this project is to develop Teaching Together, a curriculum that will provide targeted (Tier 2) language and literacy instruction to preschoolers who are not responding to universal Tier 1 instruction. Learn more.
PREPARING THE NEXT GENERATION OF READING DISABILITIES AND DYSLEXIA RESEARCHERS (R2D2)
PI: Dr. Nicole Patton Terry
Funding Agency: USDOE – OSEP
Led by faculty in the School of Teacher Education (STE) and the Florida Center for Reading Research (FCRR), the R2D2 doctoral training program will produce 5 scholars ready to train effective teachers, conduct rigorous research, and lead the field. Learn more.
FLORIDA INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH FELLOWS IN EDUCATION SCIENCES (FIREFLIES)
PI: Dr. Nicole Patton Terry
Funding Agency: Institute of Education Sciences
Led by faculty in the Florida Center for Reading Research (FCRR), the FIREFLIES doctoral training program will produce 18 education researchers with the necessary research, leadership, entrepreneurial, and professional skills to increase the quality, accessibility, use, and relevance of education research and to improve reading outcomes for all learners. Learn more.
REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORY—SOUTHEAST
Director: John Hughes, Deputy Director: Dr. Nicole Patton Terry
Funding Agency: Institute of Education Sciences
REL Southeast is one of ten Regional Educational Laboratories that work in partnership with school districts, state departments of education, and others to use data and research to improve academic outcomes for students. Learn more.
"FACILITATING TEACHER LEARNING WITH VIDEO CLIPS OF INSTRUCTION IN SCIENCE"
PI: Dr. Miray Tekkumru-Kisa
Funding Agency: NSF
The goal of the project is to build foundational knowledge about teacher learning with and from video clips of science instruction within a professional development, which will be designed to support teachers’ learning to implement NGSS-aligned performance-based assessment tasks with ambitious teaching practices. Learn more.
“Autism-Related Characteristics in College STEM Students: Prevalence, Performance, and Mediation”
PI: Dr. Brad Cox
Funding Agency: NSF IUSE
The study examines the possibility that formal disability accommodations could help autistic college students leverage their unique characteristics to complete their STEM degrees, enter the workforce, and contribute to the national economy. Learn more.
“Evaluation of Florida’s Developmental Education Redesign”
PIs: Dr. Shouping Hu, Dr. Toby Park, Dr. Tamara Bertrand Jones
Funding Agency: USDOE/IES
This study will examine the developmental education redesign implementation and evaluate the impacts of the redesign on student postsecondary success. The results of the proposed project will not only influence the trajectory of developmental education in Florida, but also throughout the country. Learn more.
“Noles Care in Academics – Enhancing Suicide Prevention In Florida State University Academic Departments”
PI: Dr. Martin Swanbrow Becker
Funding Agency: DHHS
This project aims to enhance existing campus suicide prevention interventions by providing more accessible resources to academic departments and training faculty, staff, and students across the FSU campus. Learn more.
“Critical Initiatives in Visual Impairment Project (CIVI)”
PI: Dr. Sandra Lewis
Funding Agency: FLDOE
The goal of this project is to Increase the supply of teachers of students with visual impairments and individuals who possess the knowledge, competencies, and skills to provide orientation and mobility services to students with visual impairments. Learn more.
“National Leadership Consortium in Sensory Disabilities”
PIs: Dr. Sandra Lewis
Salus University/IES
The Subcontractor agrees to facilitate completion of the Award Fellow’s or Fellows’ doctoral study within four years of full-time study and to assure Award Fellow participation in the value-added enrichment program provided by the Award. Learn more.
“RUI: Transforming Instruction in Undergraduate Mathematics via Primary Historical Sources”
PI: Dr. Kathy Clark
Funding Agency: NSF IUSE
This project focuses on undergraduate instruction in mathematics via primary historical sources. Learn more.
“Center for Postsecondary Success Florida Measurement and Evaluation Partnership”
PIs: Dr. Shouping Hu, Dr. Toby Park, Dr. Tamara Bertrand Jones
Funding Agency: Gates Foundation
This project aims to expand our measurement and research capacity within Florida and across focus states. It will also strengthen the mutual capacity of data and research organizations within Florida to study and disseminate actionable evidence on Florida postsecondary education outcomes and reforms. Learn more.
“Improving Student Academic and Non-Cognitive Outcomes Through Personalization for Academic And Social Emotional Learning”
PI: Dr. Stacey Rutledge
Funding Agency: i3 USDOE
This five-year Development project, with Competitive Preference Priority, will develop and expand Personalization for Academic and Social Emotional Learning (PASL), a systemic school-based intervention in which administrators, guidance counselors, and teachers intentionally and deliberately attend to students’ academic, social emotional, and behavioral needs, into a replicable and scalable program. Learn more.
“Teaching and Learning Algebraic Thinking Across the Middle Grades: A Research-Based Approach Using PhET Interactive Simulations”
Co-PI: Dr. Ian Whitacre
Funding Agency: NSF DRK12
This project will help middle school math teachers teach math by engaging students in math-related activities via interactive computer simulations. Learn more.
“Investigating Relationships between STEM Teacher Preparation, Instructional Quality, and Teacher Persistence”
PI: Dr. Courtney Preston, Co-PIs: Dr. Miray Tekkumru-Kisa, Dr. Sherry Southerland, Dr. Joseph Travis
Funding Agency: NSF
This project will investigate the quality of instruction and persistence of undergraduate Robert Noyce Scholars produced by each of the seven institutions. Learn more.
“Learning Through Collaborative Design (LCD): Professional Development to Foster Productive Epistemic Discourse in Science”
PI: Dr. Sherry Southerland, Co-PIs: Dr. Lama Jaber, Dr. Zahid Kisa, Dr. Miray Tekkumru-Kisa, Dr. D. Ellen Granger
Funding Agency: NSF
This project will investigate the role of collaborative design in supporting teachers’ professional growth around productive epistemic discourse in high school science classrooms. Learn more.
“Improving the Preparation of Professionals Serving Students with Visual Impairments, Including Those Who Have Additional Disabilities”
PIs: Dr. Sandra Lewis and Dr. Sarah Ivy
Funding Agency: USDOE
The project proposes to prepare educators of students with visual impairments at the undergraduate and graduate level to provide educational services to students who are blind or who have low vision, including students with severe disabilities. Learn more.
“NRT-IGE: Mixed Reality Integrated Teaching Training for STEM Graduate Teaching Assistants”
PI: Dr. Fengfeng Ke
Funding Agency: NSF
This project will enhance the formal and informal teaching training of the graduate students in participating in science departments: Chemistry & Biochemistry, Computer Science, and Physics. Learn more.
“Mathematical Learning via Architectural Design and Modeling Using E-Rebuild”
PI: Dr. Fengfeng Ke, Co-PIs: Dr. Russell Almond, Dr. Valerie Shute, Dr. Kathy Clark, Dr. Gordon Erlebacher
Funding Agency: NSF
This study will investigate whether and how participating in three-dimensional architectural design and modeling via a simulation game-based learning platform will support integrated math representation and active problem solving for middle school students. Learn more.
“Preparation of Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services Leadership”
PIs: Dr. Mary Frances Hanline, Dr. Kelly Whalon, Dr. Elizabeth Jakubowski, Dr. Sherry Southerland
Funding Agency: USDOE
This project focuses on special education personnel development to improve services and results for children with disabilities.
“DIP: Game-based Assessment and Support of STEM-related Competencies”
PI: Dr. Valerie Shute, Co-PIs: Dr. Fengfeng Ke, Dr. Russell Almond
Funding Agency: NSF
This project aims to develop several types of formal learning supports, and all of them will be compatible with and can be constructed using the sketching interface. Learn more.
“Interpersonal Coordination and Coregulation during Collaborative Problem Solving”
PI: Dr. Valerie Shute
Funding Agency: NSF
This project will explore how interpersonal interactions influence the processes and outcomes of collaborative problem-solving in digital STEM learning of high school and college students. Learn more.
“Exploring Adaptive Cognitive and Affective Learning Support for Next-Generation STEM Learning Games”
PI: Dr. Valerie Shute
Funding Agency: IES
This project will study theoretically-guided, in-game learning supports as a malleable factor that can improve both the learning experience and learning outcomes in STEM-related areas. Learn more.
“Communication for Young Children to Enhance Learning (Project CYCEL)”
PI: Dr. Mary Frances Hanline, Co-PIs: Dr. Kelly Whalon, Dr. Lindsay Dennis
Funding Agency: USDOE
This project will support five scholars in completing their Ph.D.s in Special Education.
“Pathways to the Education Sciences Research Training Program: Partners United for Research Pathways Oriented to Social Justice in Education (PURPOSE)”
Funding Agency: IES 84.305B
PIs: Dr. Alysia Roehrig, Dr. Tamara Bertrand Jones, Dr. Jeannine Turner
The main focus of this project will be on recruiting underrepresented racial/ethnic students. Learn more.
“OPTIMIZING EMERGENT LITERACY INTERVENTIONS FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM”
PI: Dr. Veronica Fleury
Funding Agency: IES Early Career
This study aims to develop expertise in adaptive interventions (AI) for literacy working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, as well as develop knowledge in the application and analyses of sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART) designs as it applies to these children.
“STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ACTIVELY READING TOGETHER”
PI: Dr. Veronica Fleury
Funding Agency: OAR
This study aims to develop and evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an adaptive shared reading intervention for preschool children with Autism Spectrum Disorders using a sequential multiple-assignment randomized trial (SMART) design.
“CENTER FOR POSTSECONDARY SUCCESS FLORIDA MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION PARTNERSHIP”
PIs: Dr. Shouping Hu, Dr. Toby Park, Dr. Tamara Bertrand Jones
Funding Agency: Gates Foundation
This goal of this project is to expand our measurement and research capacity within Florida and across focus states and to strengthen the mutual capacity of data and research organizations within Florida to study and disseminate actionable evidence on Florida postsecondary education outcomes and reforms.
“CAREER: CULTIVATING TEACHERS’ EPISTEMIC EMPATHY TO PROMOTE RESPONSIVE TEACHING”
PI: Dr. Lama Jaber
Funding Agency: NSF CAREER
This study focuses on the construct of epistemic empathy to investigate how it can be cultivated in teacher education, how it functions to promote responsive teaching, and how it shapes learners’ engagement and agency in science and mathematics.
“CREATING UPSTANDERS: THE DEVELOPMENT OF NORMS AND BYSTANDER INTERVENTION TRAINING (NAB IT!)”
PI: Dr. Lyndsay Jenkins
Funding Agency: The University of Buffalo/IES
This project seeks to develop an intervention training program to reduce bullying and sexual harassment among high school students.
“COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: IOLA-X”
PI: Dr. Christine Andrews-Larson
Funding Agency: NSF IUSE
This study is focused on researching student reasoning that informs curriculum development and instructional supports in introductory undergraduate linear algebra by using design-based research methods to develop, test, and refine inquiry-oriented instructional materials.
“GENDERED PATHWAYS FROM FLORIDA'S TWO-YEAR INSTITUTIONS TO COMPUTING DEGREES”
PIs: Dr. Lara Perez-Felkner, Dr. Shouping Hu
Funding Agency: NSF ECR
This project is grounded in a social justice approach to investigating and facilitating broader participation in computing fields with a focus on community college starters and women, particularly those with less advantaged backgrounds.
“GENERALIZATION OF TECHNOLOGY-BASED MATHEMATICS AND SOCIAL SKILLS INSTRUCTION FOR STUDENTS WITH AUTISM”
PI: Dr. Jenny Root
Funding Agency: OAR
This study will develop and test a technology-based mathematical and social problem-solving intervention for secondary students with autism. Augmented reality will be used to provide video-based mathematics and social skills instruction.
“BUILDING UP MATHEMATICAL PROBLEM SOLVING OF STUDENTS WITH EXTENSIVE SUPPORT NEEDS”
PI: Dr. Jenny Root
Funding Agency: IES
This project aims to develop, implement, and refine a mathematical problem-solving curriculum for secondary students with ESN to teach multiplicative problem types.
“PROJECT RAISE - RESEARCH-BASED ACADEMIC INTERVENTIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH EXTENSIVE SUPPORT NEEDS”
PI: Dr. Jenny Root
Funding Agency: OSEP
This project will support five scholars to complete their PhDs, preparing them to conduct research and prepare special education personnel in institutions of higher education. The emphasis of the scholars’ training will be on academic instruction for learners with extensive support needs (i.e., autism, intellectual disability, and multiple disabilities).
“GEORGE F. ZOOK”
PI: Dr. Robert Schwartz
Funding Agency: American College Personnel Association (ACPA)
This is a Senior Scholar award to travel and collect data for a book about George Zook.
“SUBCONTRACT: TEACHING AND LEARNING ALGEBRAIC THINKING ACROSS THE MIDDLE GRADES: A RESEARCH-BASED APPROACH USING PHET INTERACTIVE SIMULATIONS”
PI: Dr. Ian Whitacre
Funding Agency: NSF DRK12
This project will help middle school math teachers teach math by engaging students in math-related activities via interactive computer simulations.
“EXPLORING THE RACIAL BATTLE FATIGUE OF FIRST-YEAR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT LEADERS OF COLOR”
PI: Dr. Cameron Beatty
Funding Agency: ACUHO-I
This study explores how first-year students of color develop leadership identity and navigate racial battle fatigue as student leaders in residential communities at historically white universities in the United States.
“CALLING A TIME OUT: EXAMINING THE MENTAL HEALTH IMPACTS OF ESPORTS”
PIs: Dr. James Du, Dr. Hanhan Xue
Funding Agency: NASSM
Anecdotal evidence from the recent shooting rampage in Jacksonville, Florida has shown the potentially harmful effects of eSports, where the mental health concerns should be at the forefront of the study of the impact of eSports.
“COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY-UNDERSTANDING BLACK MALE ENGINEERS IN THE PURSUIT OF ADVANCED DEGREES”
PI: Dr. Erik Hines
Funding Agency: NSF – collaboration
The overall goal of this collaborative, mixed methods project is to uncover and understand the factors that influence Black male engineers to pursue engineering graduate degrees.
"INFACT: THE INCLUSION OF NEURODIVERSITY IN FOUNDATIONS AND APPLICATIONS OF COMPUTATIONAL THINKING"
PI: Dr. Fengfeng Ke
Funding Agency: US DOE - TERC (subaward) 84.411C
INFACT will prepare a wide range of learners in grades 3-8, including neurodiverse learners, for successful computer science learning in high school and beyond. Purpose: design and study the individualized instructions that integrate CT education in STEM through collaborative gaming and design activities for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
“ADAPTIVE TRAINING OF REPRESENTATIONAL FLEXIBILITY IN STEM+C FOR ADOLESCENTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER”
PIs: Dr. Fengfeng Ke, Dr. Kelly Whalon
Funding Agency: NSF-EAGER
This project aims to engage learners with ASD in designing and programming scientific simulations. In the virtual reality they learn to apply representational and coding skills to solve problems.
“R2D2.0 - PREPARING THE NEXT GENERATION OF READING DISABILITIES AND DYSLEXIA RESEARCHERS”
PI: Dr. Nicole Patton Terry
Funding Agency: USDOE – OSEP
This project will support five scholars to complete their PhDs, preparing them to conduct research on reading disabilities.
