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 Research Staff
Irene McAfee, VP Research and Development
Irene McAfee has a unique combination of experiences across the education
market with University, Public School, State Department, and Corporate
working relationships. Her doctoral degree is in Educational Research
Methodology from the University of Pittsburgh with training in psychometrics,
statistics, and research design. While working as the Director of Student
Information and Assessment with the St. Paul Public Schools in Minnesota,
she designed and implemented the district's Long Range Plan and Student
Achievement Accountability system. Regularly, her expertise was requested
to testify to the Minnesota Legislature on issues related to testing,
and she played an integral role in the writing of the State Legislation
for the Minnesota Graduation Rule. Ms. McAfee was also active in the Council
of Great City Schools with the Directors of Research and the Research
Steering Committee.
Her previous corporate experiences include Vice President positions with
the Sylvan Learning Systems of Baltimore, MD and for Scholastic, Inc.
of New York. In these positions, Dr. McAfee planned and conducted research
on the various company products. Her work included the development of
a rubric-based Quality Assurance System that was used to monitor the implementation
of specific educational programs across the nation.
Sharon Valencik, Educational Research Manager
Sharon Valencik served as National Validation Research Manager for Pearson
Learning Group. Prior to this position, Sharon worked for the Globe Fearon
Market Research Department, the San Diego Association of Governments and
the Port of San Diego, and taught at California State University, San
Marcos and the San Diego Unified School District. Sharon has her MA from
San Diego State University in Urban & Social Geography and her BA in Geography
from Rutgers University. For over a year, Sharon has managed several research
projects to completion for the Pearson Educational Research Group. Her
keen business sense and experience in publishing and the RFP process combined
with her knowledge of research methods are a strong asset to the Research
Team.
Marcy Baughman, Educational Research Manager
Marcy Baughman worked as an Educational Research Consultant for the past
four years. She provided measurement, evaluation, and statistical advice
and services to University of Pittsburgh staff, students, and faculty,
the Arthritis Institute, and the Parkinson Foundation. In addition, she
has supervised the Computer-Based Testing Center at the University of
Pittsburgh. Marcy has completed her extensive research methods coursework
for a doctoral degree in Educational Research Methodology and plans to
complete her dissertation from the University of Pittsburgh in the near
future. She also has a B.S. in Psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Prior to joining the Pearson Team, Marcy worked as a consultant for Pearson
Learning Group providing statistical and assessment services. She also
participated in the Effect Size Project for the Scott Foresman Reading
Study.
David Bernstein, Administrative Research Assistant
David Bernstein worked as a Research Assistant at Pearson Learning
Group. David has a BS in Computer Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
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