Mark Wilson and I would like to alert everyone to the 2019 International Measurement Confederation (IMEKO) Joint Symposium to be held 2-5 July in St. Petersburg, Russia. The deadline for extended abstract submissions is 15 November (https://imeko19-spb.org/submission-of-papers/).

Of special interest at this Joint Symposium is the addition of IMEKO’s Technical Committee (TC) 18 on Measurement of Human Functions. The inclusion of TC18 provides a broader forum for psychological and social measurement theory and practice than was previously afforded by the areas covered by TC1 on  Education and Training in Measurement and Instrumentation, TC7 on Measurement Science, and TC13 on Measurements in Biology and Medicine. TC18 will be an important setting for sharing ideas and methods as national metrology institutes around the world commence new investigations into the viability, feasibility, and desirability of metrological standards for measurements in education, health care, human resources, social services, economics, and many other areas.

The IMEKO World Congress in Belfast, Ireland, last month included a special session highlighting measurement theory and practice in psychology and the social sciences. The session was organized and chaired by Mark Wilson and myself, with presented papers authored by David Andrich, Stefan Cano, Robert Cavanagh, Thomas Salzberger, Andrew Maul, and others. Additional talks featuring Rasch models were co-authored by Emily Oon, Jan Morrison, and Maureen Powers.

In a sign of IMEKO’s strong support for measurement innovations across the sciences, Powers’ poster on a multi-unidimensional psychophysical Rasch model of functional binocular vision was recognized with a special award at the gala dinner in the Titanic museum in Belfast.

With over ten years of Rasch-related presentations at IMEKO meetings, and steadily increasing visibility and participation, a new dialogue between the natural and social sciences is plainly gaining momentum. Looking forward to seeing you all in St. Petersburg!

William P. Fisher, Jr., Ph.D.

Research Associate

BEAR Center

Graduate School of Education

University of California, Berkeley

Theories and Practices in Testing and Assessment: In the Thick of Action

With 2018 marking the 40^th study session of the Association pour le développement des méthodologies d’évaluation en education (ADMEE-Canada), it is our great pleasure to invite you to Montreal on November 14, 15 and 16, 2018. Enjoy this large, diverse city while joining us to celebrate the evolution of an essential and emblematic association in Canada’s testing and assessment landscape.

Through 40 years of work, exchanges, debates and achievements, study sessions have covered numerous themes, ranging from political issues to instrumentalization, as well as multiple theories and methodologies. In order to emphasize the diversity of aspects surrounding testing and assessment, and above all to underscore the collective dynamic spirit in this field, we chose the following unifying theme: theories and practices as a space for action. Theories, because they form an whole, a system, a vision that guides and observes action. Practices, because they involve processes that impact environments as well as people, and because they are unique, complex and shifting. Action, because it is synonymous with taking initiative, effecting change, leading, and making progress. Our theme, “Theories and Practices in Testing and Assessment: In the Thick of Action,” is intended as a field-centered vision that reflects the advances in testing and assessment, with regards to training and different application contexts.

Once again this year, we will also hold a preconference on Wednesday, November 14, at the Université du Québec à Montréal. Several workshops related to our theme will inform your perspective on theories, practices and action. Other developments and surprises await you during this 40^th anniversary edition.

Researchers, practitioners, professionals, students and responders from various testing and assessment backgrounds and from various fields (health, science, humanities, arts, etc.) are invited to share their thoughts on theory, talk about their practices and discuss the actions they take, in English or in French. In short, they are invited to take part in the ADMEE’s evolution to make sure it stays active for a long time to come.

Please note that papers will be presented in the language in which they were submitted, without simultaneous interpreting.

The UQAM Organizing Committee
Carla Barroso da Costa
Diane Leduc
Pascal Ndinga
André-Sébastien Aubin

ADMÉE-Canada President
Isabelle Nizet

Click here to see the website of the event

October 3rd and 4th, 2018, Iowa City, IA, USA

A sea change is underway. The expanding scope of the ways we pursue knowledge over a lifetime, when we do it and for how long presents society with challenges and opportunities unique to our place in history. In turn, how we measure our progress and depth of understanding throughout a lifetime of education must also expand, adopt new tools and methodologies and enter the age of Computational Psychometrics.

The ACTNext Education Technology and Computational Psychometrics Symposium offers participants the opportunity to engage with leading experts across diverse fields, all working to solve the challenges and harness the possibilities at the intersection of education research and technological innovation. Presenters will discuss topics ranging from multimodal analytics and alternative assessment modalities, to the impact education technology has in the classroom.

Join us October 3rd and 4th in Iowa City, one of the nation’s premier hubs for psychometric research, to learn and network with leaders spanning academia, technology, and education. Most importantly, lend your own voice to exciting discussions with the innovative researchers, practitioners, and professionals advancing education technology and breaking new ground in psychometrics research.

Click here to go to the event website.