Category: Working Papers

Authors: Bradley Carl and Jenny Seelig November 2026, 56pp. Abstract: This report, the third in a series focusing on Wisconsin’s rural educator workforce, examines a state-funded program in Wisconsin (the Rural School Teacher Talent Pilot Program, or RSTTPP). This program provides financial incentives through the state’s educator preparation programs (EPPs) for preservice teachers to complete …

Authors: Courtney Bell and Drew Gitomer August 2026, 13 pp. Abstract: Bob Mislevy spent decades developing theory, methods, and tools that positioned assessment as an instance of the more general problem of using evidentiary argument to make inferences in the presence of uncertainty. He argued that skills and understandings are situated within social contexts and …

Author: Christine Pribbenow and Carissa Brown July 2026, 20 pp. Abstract: Fair Play is the cornerstone of workshops developed by researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison to teach STEMM faculty about implicit (or unconscious) bias and strategies to reduce bias in their behavior and the environment. Fair Play is a computer-based simulation that allows the …

Author: Mariana Castro October 2025, 21 pp. Abstract: As linguistic diversity within American K–12 classrooms increases, educators need tools to effectively leverage and support the assets of multilingual learners (MLs). MLs face the significant challenge of simultaneously mastering the language of instruction and learning academic content. While core teaching practices are recognized as a research-based, …

Authors: Jenny Seelig and Bradley Carl October 2025, 54 pp. Abstract: This paper builds upon previous work investigating Wisconsin’s rural educator workforce by (a) summarizing key characteristics of the current teacher workforce in Wisconsin’s rural schools and how these may have changed over time; and (b) documenting ways in which the state’s approved educator preparation …

Authors: Steve Kimball, Anthony Milanowski, Bradley Carl, Jessica Arrigoni, and Elisabeth Geraghty July 2025, 19 pp. Abstract: In 2011, Wisconsin curtailed public employee collective bargaining through legislation (Wisconsin Act 10) that limited the scope of bargaining to total base wages, rather than the specifics of teacher salary schedules, and tied total base wage increases to …

Authors: Yorel Lashley, Erica Halverson, Stephanie Richards, Emily Nott, Tracey Bullington, Lindsey Kourafas, John Samuels, Leila Rahnamanoabadi, and Audriana Ryann Zeuske July 2025, 35 pp. Abstract: This paper presents the preliminary findings and research agenda for the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Community Arts Collaboratory’s (Arts Collab) 2-year initiative supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. …

Authors: Ross J. Benbow, Xin Xie, and You-Geon Lee February 2025, 26 pp. Abstract: Student service members/veterans (SSM/Vs) — defined as undergraduates in the U.S. military or who have military experience — have been an emergent group of adult learners in American 4-year universities. Because SSM/Vs diversify universities and are supported by significant public investments, …

Authors: Ross J. Benbow and You-Geon Lee September 2024, 29 pp. Abstract: Student service member/veteran (SSM/V) university enrollment has grown exponentially in recent years. In response, many U.S. universities have developed military-focused student services to address navigational and social challenges SSM/Vs face on campus. While research suggests these services are beneficial, few studies have empirically …

Authors: Bailey B. Smolarek, Matthew Wolfgram, Chundou Her, Lena Lee, Stacey J. Lee, Geboli Long, Payeng Moua, Kong Pheng Pha, Ariana Thao, Mai See Thao, Mai Neng Vang, Susan Vang, Chee Meng Xiong, Choua Xiong, Edward Xiong, Odyssey Xiong, Pa Kou Xiong, Ying Yang Youa Xiong, Kayeng Yang, Lisa Yang, Mai Chong Yang, Scy Yang, …