Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)

Jamal Abedi, Ph.D.
Jamal Abedi is a Professor at the Graduate School of Education at the University of California, Davis and a research partner at the National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST). Dr. Abedi's research interests include studies in the area of psychometrics and test and scale development. Results of his recent studies on the impact of linguistic factors on the assessment and accommodations for English Language Learners (ELLs) have been used and reported nationwide. Read more

Michael Hock

Michael Hock is a Program Associate at WestEd’s Northeast Regional Resource Center (NERRC) where he leads an LD Identification Initiative with a focus on Alternate and Large Scale Assessment. Prior to joining WestEd, Michael was a special educator for over thirty years. He continues to teach courses on special education assessment at the University of Vermont. For the past eight years he has provided his technical expertise to the Vermont Department of Education on issues such as leadership and the state's alternate assessment project. Mr. Hock has a M.Ed, C.A.G.S.

Akihito Kamata, Ph. D.

Akihito Kamata is Associate Professor and Department Chair of the Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems at Florida State University. Dr. Kamata is a psychometrician who specializes in test data analysis methodology, focusing on multilevel aspects of test data. His recent work includes projects funded by IES and the State of Florida to examine how ELLs and students with disabilities are affected in their performance on test items, such as in the NAEP and statewide assessment program in Florida (FCAT). Read more