Michael Kolen University of Iowa
The recipient of the 2026 E. F. Lindquist Award is Dr. Michael J. Kolen. Over his career, Dr. Kolen has been a driving force in conceptualizing and putting into practice methodologies in the areas of equating, scaling, and linking. The statistical methods he and his colleagues developed are instrumental in helping to ensure the fairness of tests, since they allow for the assembly of tests that reflect test taker ability rather than the version of the test they received. His book with Robert L. Brennan, Test Equating, Scaling and Linking, is in its third edition, and is regarded as the definitive reference in the field. He has used his knowledge and experience to advise many major testing programs and has also served as a mentor to numerous students over the years. Dr. Kolen has served as the President of the National Council on Measurement in Education and is a Fellow of both AERA and the American Psychological Association.
Named in honor of an outstanding scholar and researcher, this annual award is presented jointly by the American Educational Research Association and ACT in recognition of outstanding applied or theoretical research in the field of testing and measurement. The award is meant to acknowledge a body of research of an empirical, theoretical, or integrative nature rather than a single study. Although the research is not required to have led directly to improved educational practices, it should nevertheless be rich in suggestions for additional research that does hold such promise. Particular emphasis will be given to research that has advanced the companion goals of greater understanding and improved use of testing and measurement techniques. Awardees may include individuals conducting research in a broad array of disciplines, such as education and psychology.
The winner of the award will be invited to give the E. F. Lindquist Award Lecture at the following Annual Meeting. An article emanating from the lecture will be considered for publications in the Journal of Educational and Behavioral Statistics.
Before 1987, the Award recognized only outstanding research in college student development. In 1987 and subsequent years it acquired a broader scope of recognition.
2025 - Linda Cook 2024 - Gregory Cizek 2023 - James W. Pellegrino 2022 - Daniel M. Koretz 2021 - Henry Braun 2020 - Randy E. Bennett 2019 - Mark R. Wilson 2018 - Charles Lewis 2017 - Hua-Hua Chang 2016 - Jamal Abedi 2015 - Howard Wainer 2014 - Mark D. Reckase 2013 - Eva Baker 2012 - Edward H. Haertel 2011 - Richard J. Shavelson 2010 - Michael Kane 2009 - Wim J. van der Linden 2008 - Wendy M. Yen 2007 - Robert J. Mislevy 2006 - H.D. Hoover 2005 - Ronald K. Hambleton 2004 - Robert L. Brennan 2003 - George Madaus 2002 - Dr. William A. Mehrens 2001 - Bert F. Green, Jr. 2000 - Paul Holland 1999 - Darrel Bock 1998 - Robert Glaser 1997 - John B. Carroll 1996 - Anne Anastasi 1995 - Leonard Feldt 1994 - Samuel Messick 1993 - Robert Linn 1992 - Richard M. Jaeger 1991 - Benjamin Bloom 1990 - Melvin Novick 1989 - Robert Ebel 1988 - Frederic Lord 1987 - Robert L. Thorndike 1986 - K. Patricia Cross 1985 - Arthur Chickering 1984 - C. Robert Pace 1983 - Alexander Astin 1982 - David Reisman 1981 - William W. Turnbull 1980 - Paul Dressel 1979 - Burton Clark 1978 - Roger Heyns 1977 - T. R. McConnell 1976 - Ralph F. Berdie 1975 - William Sewell 1974 - Ralph Tyler 1973 - Theodore M. Newcomb 1972 - Wilbert J. McKeachie
The nomination deadline for the 2026 AERA Awards has now passed. Award winners will be announced in early 2026 prior to the AERA Annual Meeting.