Sanford R. Student

Dr. Sanford R. Student is an Assistant Professor in the School of Education at the University of Delaware and a Resident Faculty member of the Data Science Institute. His research focuses on connecting psychometric methodologies with practical educational implications, particularly in academic growth measurement, large-scale science assessments, and instrument design. He holds a Ph.D. in Research and Evaluation Methodology from the University of Colorado Boulder (2023) and dual B.A.s in Philosophy and Computer Science from Brown University (2013).

Dr. Student’s professional experience includes roles as a Research Associate at Lyons Assessment Consulting (2021–2023), Doctoral Researcher at the Center for Assessment Design, Research and Evaluation (2018–2023), and Lead Researcher for the American Bar Association’s Bar Exam study (2019–2020). Prior to academia, he worked as a Software Engineer at edX (2016–2018).

His awards include selection for the 2020 AIR/NCES NAEP Data Training Workshop. Current research trends in his publications emphasize Bayesian methods, vertical scaling, and crosscutting concepts in science education. He actively contributes to educational policy discussions through work with state agencies and assessment developers.

Dr. Student advises graduate students and collaborates on grants related to growth measurement and educational data systems. He is affiliated with the National Council on Measurement in Education and maintains a lab focusing on applied psychometric challenges in K-12 systems.