AERA Statistics Institute for Faculty


Call for Applications

The deadline for applications for the 2010 Institute was January 20, 2010, and no further applications will be accepted. Information on the 2011 Institute will be posted here in Summer 2010.

With support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the AERA Grants Program announces the new AERA Statistics Institute for Faculty. The Institute's goal is to help develop a critical mass of U.S. education researchers using large-scale federal data sets, especially those sponsored by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NSF, and other federal agencies. These data sets, which are often longitudinal and nationally representative, offer an excellent opportunity for students and early career scholars to conduct research and learn advanced quantitative methods with high quality policy relevant data. Secondary data analysis of federal data sets provides one of the most opportune and cost-effective ways of generating knowledge and contributing to policy deliberations based on large numbers of individuals and observations. This Institute aims to "train the trainers," enabling more education researchers to take advantage of these rich data resources.

Eligibility
The AERA Statistics Institute for Faculty is geared for faculty members at postsecondary institutions who teach quantitative research methods courses at the graduate level and who seek to integrate the analysis of large-scale federal education data sets into the curriculum. Applicants may be faculty members in schools or departments of education, or from other disciplines with an interest in education research. Prior experience using large-scale data sets is not required. Underrepresented minority researchers are strongly encouraged to apply.

Description
The Institute will focus on how to incorporate secondary data analysis, especially the use of large-scale federal data sets, into the curriculum of quantitative research methods courses. Instruction will be provided in three interrelated areas: current statistical methods, information on the data sets, and complex issues of modeling and design. Topics such as weights, missing data, the pitfalls of using large-scale data sets, selection bias and causality will be included. Participants who attend the 3-day hands-on training should leave with the knowledge and resources necessary to teach the quantitative statistical methods learned at the Institute to students at their home institutions. Publicly available education data, such as the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS:2002) and the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998-99 (ECLS-K), will be used in this training.

Participant Fellowships
A select group of faculty will be chosen to participate in the Institute. Those selected for participation will receive support covering the Institute's fees, transportation to Stanford, CA, housing, and per diem for the dates of the Institute.

Dates and Location
July 22-24, 2010 at Stanford, California

Institute Personnel

Director:
William Schmidt, Michigan State University

Faculty:
Martin Carnoy, Stanford University
Richard Houang, Michigan State University
Chandra Muller, University of Texas at Austin
Others TBA

Application Requirements
All applications should include:

• An AERA Statistics Institute for Faculty Cover Page
• A letter briefly describing the applicant's background, teaching experience, teaching and career goals, and how the applicant would benefit from the Institute. Priority will be given to those applicants who are committed to using large-scale data sets for future teaching and research.
• A current curriculum vitae
• Course syllabus from one quantitative research methods course recently taught by the applicant (within two years)
• Letter of support from the applicant's Dean or Department Chair indicating that the applicant will be scheduled to teach a course that could include the information and skills learned in the Statistics Institute for Faculty within a year.

Review criteria include: the applicant's statistical background and teaching record; computer literacy with knowledge of current statistical software package(s); interest in using large-scale data sets in teaching; likelihood of the methods presented during the Institute being incorporated into a course during the next year; and the Institute's fit with the applicant's teaching and career goals.

Application Submission
The deadline for applications has been extended to January 20, 2010. A total of two (2) hard copies of all materials must be received by the deadline. Electronic submissions are not acceptable. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. Final decisions will be made in February 2010. All awards are contingent upon AERA's receiving continued federal funding. Applications should be sent to:

Ms. Jeanie Murdock
AERA Grants Program
5662 Calle Real, #254
Goleta, CA 93117-2317

Updated Dec-11-2009