Profile

Mary A. Hansen, Ph.D.
University Professor of Education (Education)
Coordinator, Post Bacc (Education)
Coordinator, Accreditation and Partnerships - Department of Education (Education)
hansen@rmu.edu
412-397-6213 phone (M)
412-397-6044 fax
Wheatley Center 329


Educational Background

  • Ph.D., Research Methodology, University of Pittsburgh, 2004
  • Bachelor of Science, Math and Computer Science, California University of PA, 1994
  • Master of Arts, Statistics, University of Pittsburgh, 1996
  • Master of Science, Research Methodology, University of Pittsburgh, 1999

Professional Background

  • 2020 - Present; University Professor, School of Nursing, Education and Human Studies, RMU
  • 2014 - 2020; Professor, School of Education and Social Sciences, RMU
  • 2015 - 2017; Independent Evaluator, NSF-TUES Award # 1245036
  • 2007 - 2020: Consultant, PASA Project, School of Education, University of Pittsburgh
  • 2001 - 2007: Consultant, HPW Associates
  • 2011 - 2014: Associate Professor, School of Education and Social Sciences, RMU
  • 2005 - 2010: Assistant Professor, School of Education and Social Sciences, RMU
  • 2005 - 2008: Consultant, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University
  • 2000 - 2005: Adjunct Faculty, Department of Psychology in Education, School of Education, University of Pittsburgh
  • 1997 - 2001: Adjunct Faculty, LaRoche College

Area of Expertise/Research

  • My research interests lie in the areas of educational measurement and assessment, including design and technical issues related to large-scale test development and classroom assessment practices. My research explores several aspects of educational assessment, including technical issues and classroom practices related to large scale assessments and alternate assessments, and the use and impact of formative assessment practices on student learning. I have conducted research in the areas of special education and assistive technology. I also specialize in quantitative research design and statistical data analysis, and serve as a program evaluator for programs across several fields of study.

Publications

  • TEXTBOOK CHAPTERS

  • Donne, V. & Hansen, M. A. (2017).  Teachers’ Use of Assistive Technologies in Education.  In Tomei, L. (ED.), Exploring the New Era of Technology-Infused Education.  Hershey, PA:  IGI Global.

  • Holdan, G. & Hansen, M.,A. (2011). Reflective on-line discussion for pre-service teachers. In Tomei, L. (Ed.), Online Courses and ICT in Education: Emerging Practices and Applications. Hershey, PA: IGI Global. 

  • Hansen, M. A. & Donne, V.  (forthcoming, 2020)  High quality assessment for students with disabilities. In S. Nichols & D. Varier (Eds.) Teaching on Assessment.  (Chapter 10).  Information Age Publishing.

  • REFEREED JOURNAL ARTICLES

  • Acharya, S., Manohar P., Wu, P., Maxim, B., & Hansen, M.  (2017). Design, development and delivery of active learning tools in software verification & validation education.  Journal of Education and Learning 7(1), 13-28.

  • Cellante, D. L., Mishra, S., Campbell, B. R., Hansen, M. A., & Buxton, G. A. (2017). The perceptions of middle school teachers about the integration of STEM+C: A focus-group approach.  Issues in Information Systems, 18(1), 58 – 63.

  • Donne, V., Hansen, M.A., & Zigmond, N. (2018).  Statewide alternate reading assessment of students who are deaf/hard of hearing with additional disabilities. Communication Disorders Quarterly, 40(2), 67-76.

  • Donne, V. & Hansen, M. A. (2017). Opportunities for students with disabilities to learn technology, Business Teacher Education Journal, 43, 16 - 25.

  • Donne, V. & Hansen, M.  A. (2013).  Business and technology educators:  Practices for Inclusion. International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education, 9(4), 81-93.

  • Golmic, B. & Hansen, M. A.  (2012).  Secondary teachers’ attitudes towards the INCLUDED model.  International Journal of Special Education, 27(1), 27 – 36.

  • Hansen, M. A. & Donne, V.  (2012).  Inclusiveness practices in business education classrooms.  Business Teacher Education Journal, 38, 35-41.
  • Hansen, M., & Iaquinta, A.  (2008).  Formative assessment:  Sharing success of learning.  Academic Exchange Quarterly, 12(3).     

  • Hansen, M. A., Lyon, S., Heh, P., & Zigmond, N.  (2013).  Comparing panelists’ understanding of standard setting across multiple levels of an alternate science assessment.  Applied Measurement in Education, 26(4), 298-318.

  • Holdan, E. G. & Hansen, M. A. (2009).  Using on-line discussion to encourage reflective thinking in pre-service teachers.  International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education, 5(3), 74-82. 

  • Moore, D., Hansen, M.A, & Heh, P.  (in press).  Accessing and utilizing technology in alternate assessments.  Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice.

  • Manohar, P., Acharya, S., Wu, P., Hansen, M. A., Ansari, A., & Schilling, W. (2015).  Case studies for enhancing student engagement and active learning in software V & V education. Journal of Education and Learning, 4(4), 39-52. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/jel.v4n4p39

  • Salls, J., Benson, J. & Hansen, M. A. (2013). A comparison of the Handwriting Without Tears program and Peterson Directed Handwriting program on handwriting performance in typically developing first grade students. Journal for Occupational Therapy, Schools and Early Intervention, 6, 131-142.

  • Salls, J.,  Dolhi, C., Silverman, L. & Hansen, M. A. (2009).  The use of evidence-based practice by occupational therapists.  Occupational Therapy in Health Care, 23(2), 134 – 145.
  • Steif, P. S. & Hansen, M. A.  (2007).  New practices for administering and analyzing the results of concept inventories.  Journal of Engineering Education, 96(3), 205-212.
  • Steif, P. S. & Hansen, M. A.  (2006).  Comparisons between performances in a Statics Concept Inventory and course examinations.  International Journal of Engineering Education, 22(5), 1070-1076.
  • Stone, C. A., Davidson, L. J., Evans, J. L., Hansen, M. A.  (2001).  Validity evidence for using a general critical thinking test to measure nursing students’ critical thinking.  Holistic Nursing Practice, 15(4), 65-74.
  • Stone, C.A & Hansen, M.A. (2000).  The effect of errors in estimating ability on goodness-of-fit tests for IRT models.  Educational and Psychological Measurement, 60(6), 974-991.
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • Hansen, M., & Iaquinta, A.  (2007, December 13).  A guide for using peer assessment formatively and effectively.  ASCD Express, 3(5).  http://www.ascd.org/ascd-express/vol3/305-toc.aspx
  • REFEREED PROCEEDINGS

  • Manahor, P., Acharya, S., & Hansen, M. A. (2018). Dissemination of active learning tools for Software V & V Education and their pedagogical assessment. Proceedings of the 2018 American Society of Engineering Education Conference and Exposition, Salt Lake City, UT.

  • Stone, C.A & Hansen, M.A. (2000).  Uncertainty in ability estimation and assessing goodness-of-fit of IRT models.  Proceedings of the International Conference on Measurement and Multivariate Analysis, 2, 194-192.
  • Steif, P. S. & Hansen, M. A.  (2006).  Feeding back results from a Statics Concept Inventory to improve instruction.  Proceedings of the 2006 American Society of Engineering Education Conference and Exposition.  
  • PROGRAM EVALUATIONS
  • Evaluator, NSF-TUES Award # 1245036: 2015 – 2017.
  • Evaluation Team Member, Leadership by Design: Principal Certification for the Pittsburgh Urban Leadership Corps, 2018.
  • Evaluator, Leadership by Design: Principal Certification for the Pittsburgh Urban Leadership Corps, 2019.
  • Evaluation Team Member, Hill House Passport Academy Charter School Evaluation, 2016 – 2018.

Presentations

  • 2020 - Moore, D. W., Hansen, M. A. & Nieppokoj, D. (April 2020). Examining Opportunity to Learn for Students Taking a Large-Scale Alternate Assessment [Roundtable Session]. AERA Annual Meeting San Francisco, CA. http://tinyurl.com/uwjowwd (Conference Canceled)
  • 2020 - Moore, D. W., Hansen, M. A. & Heh, P. W. (April 2020) Validity evidence related to access and use of technology in alternate assessments. [Paper Session]. AERA Annual Meeting San Francisco, CA http://tinyurl.com/uhrss39 (Conference Canceled)
  • 2015 - Hansen, M. A., Lyon, S. R., & Heh, P. (2015). Validating Performance Level Descriptors through a longitudinal examination of data. Paper presented at the 2015 Annual Meeting for the National Council on Measurement in Education.
  • 2015 - Hansen, M. A., Lyon, S. R., Smith, J., & Matsik, M. (2015). Characteristics and challenges of the lowest performing students on alternate assessments. Poster presented at the 2015 Annual Meeting for the American Educational Research Association.
  • 2015 - Hansen, M. A., Lyon, S. R., & Heh, P. (2015). Linking learning characteristics with academic performance for students with intellectual disabilities. Poster presented at the 2015 Council of Exceptional Children Convention and Expo
  • 2013 - Hansen, M. A., Heh, P., Lyon, S., & Zigmond, N. (April 2013). Science instruction for students w ith significant cognitive disabilities. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the American Educational Research Association, San Francisco, CA.
  • 2012 - Hansen, M. A., Heh, P., Lyon, S. & Zigmond, N. (April 2012). Building and improving the validity argument for a large scale alternate science assessment. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
  • 2012 -
    Heh, P., Hansen, M. A., Lyon, S. & Zigmond, N. Consequential validity evidence for an alternate science assessment, (April, 2012). Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
  • 2012 - Lyon, S. R., Heh, P. & Hansen, M. A. (April 2012). Validation of an alternate science assessment. Presentation at the 2012 Council of Exceptional Children Convention and Expo. Denver, Co.
  • 2012 - Lyon, S. R., Heh, P. & Hansen, M. A. (April 2012). Artifacts of science instruction for students with significant cognitive disabilities (SWSCD). Poster session at the 2012 Council of Exceptional Children Convention and Expo. Denver, Co
  • 2012 - Lyon, S., Heh, P., & Hansen, M. A. (April 2012). Science for students with significant cognitive disabilities. Presentation at the TASH Conference, Pittsburgh, PA
  • 2012 -
    Van den Heuvel, J., Hansen, M.A., & Ilangkoon, C. Examining growth in alternate assessments based on alternate achievement standards (AA-AAS). (April, 2012). Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the National Council on Measurement in Education, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
  • 2012 -
    Van den Heuvel, J., Hansen, M.A., & Ilangkoon, C. Longitudinal analysis for students with significant cognitive disabilities: Looking back in order to look forward (April, 2012). Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
  • 2011 - Hansen, M. A., Heh, P., Harayama, N. & Lyon, S. & Zigmond, N. (April 2011). Informing test design through comparisons of student response data and Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs). Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME). New Orleans, LA
  • 2011 - Van den Heuvel, J. R., Hansen, M. A., & Ilangakoon, C. (June 2011). Longitudinal performance level classifications for students with significant cognitive disabilities: Illustrating student mastery over time. Paper presented at the 2011 National Conference on Student Assessment (NCSA), Orlando, Fl.
  • 2011 - Van den Heuvel, J. R., Hansen, M. A., & Ilangakoon, C. (September 2011). Performance level classifications and students with significant cognitive disabilities: Longitudinal results across four states. Distance presentation for the CTB Research Seminar Series.
  • 2010 -
    Lyon, S., Heh, P. Wolf, P., Zigmond, N., & Hansen, M.A. (April 2010). Science for Students with Significant Disabilities: Alternate Assessments and Classroom Instruction. Presentation at the Council of Exceptional Children (CEC) Convention and Expo, Nashville, TN.
  • 2010 -
    Lyon, S., Hansen, M., Heh, P. & Zigmond, N. (April 2010). Developing Performance Level Descriptors for a Statewide Alternate Performance Assessment in Science. Presentation at the Council of Exceptional Children (CEC) Convention and Expo, Nashville, TN.
  • 2010 -
    Hansen, M. A., Lyon, S., Heh, P., & Zigmond, N. (April 2010). Tracking Panelists Thought Processes during the Standard Setting for a Statewide Alternate Science Assessment. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Denver, CO.
  • 2010 -
    Hansen, M. A., Lyon, S., Heh, P., & Zigmond, N. (April 2010). Comparing Panelists? Understanding of Standard Setting across Multiple Levels of an Alternate Science Assessment, Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the National Council of Measurement in Education, Denver, CO.
  • 2010 -
    Hansen, M. A. (March 2010). A collaborative service-learning experience: Robert Morris University and the Girl Scouts of Western PA. Poster presented at the Spring Service Learning Conference. Pittsburgh, PA.
  • 2009 -
    Dolhi, C., Salls, J., Hansen, M. A., & Silverman, L. (April 2009). Evidence-Based Practice: Strengthening Academic and Clinical Connections. Poster presented at the 2009 American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference and Expo. Houston, TX.
  • 2009 -
    Lyon, S., Heh, P., Zigmond, N., Wolf, P., & Hansen, M. A. (October 2009). Science for Students With Significant Cognitive Disabilities. Presentation at the TASH Conference, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • 2009 -
    Salls, J., Benson, J., Cole, K., Piekielek, A., and Hansen, M. A. (April 2009). A Comparison of the Handwriting without Tears Program and Peterson Directed Handwriting Program on handwriting performance in typically developing first grade students. Poster presented at the 2009 American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference and Expo. Houston, TX.
  • 2008 -
    Hansen, M. A. & Iaquinta, A. (April 2008). Will peer assessment work in my classroom? Pre-service teachers views regarding a formative peer assessment model. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association. New York, NY.
  • 2006 -
    Steif P.S. & Hansen, M. A. (June 2006). Feeding back results from a Statics Concept Inventory to improve instruction. Paper presented at the 2006 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition, Chicago, Il.
  • 2006 -
    Hansen, M. A. & Steif, P. S. (April 2006). Using results from concept inventories to improve teaching: Providing feedback on concept scores. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association. San Francisco, CA.
  • 2000 -
    Stone, C. A. & Hansen, M. A. (April 2000). Using resampling methods to evaluate the significance of a goodness-of-fit statistic in Item Response Theory models. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the National Council on Measurement in Education. New Orleans,LA.
  • 2000 -
    Stone, C. A. & Hansen, M.A. (May 2000). Uncertainty in ability estimation and assessing goodness-of-fit of IRT models. Paper presented at the 2000 International Conference on Measurement and Multivariate Analysis, Banff, Alberta, Canada.
  • 2000 -
    Lane, S., Stone, C. A., Parke, C. S., Hansen, M. A., Cerrillo, T. L. (April 2000). Consequential Evidence for MSPAP from the Teacher, Principal and Student Perspective (Mathematics, Reading, Writing, Science and Social Studies). Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the National Council on Measurement in Education. New Orleans, LA.
  • 2000 -
    Harwell, M., Cerrillo, T. L., Hansen, M. A. (April 2000). The effects of different methods of handling missing data on institutional-level models of student persistence. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the National Council on Measurement in Education. New Orleans, LA.
  • 2000 -
    Hansen, M. A., Cerrillo, T. L., & Lane, S. (April 2000). The relationship between MSPAP and social studies classroom instruction and assessment materials. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the National Council on Measurement in Education. New Orleans, LA.
  • 2000 -
    Cerrillo, T. L., Hansen, M. A., Parke, C. S., Lane, S., Scott, K. (April 2000). The relationship between MSPAP and science classroom instruction and assessment materials. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the National Council on Measurement in Education. New Orleans, LA.