Gary Skaggs

Gary Skaggs
Associate Professor
Educational Research and Evaluation (Measurement)
Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park

Areas of Specialization: Psychometrics, Item Response Theory, Test Equating and Scaling, Standard Setting, Validity Studies

Dr. Skaggs’s research focuses on psychometric issues related to large-scale assessments such as educational achievement and certification/licensure tests. These issues include test equating and scaling, standard setting, and differential item functioning. His work frequently involves the use of item response theory models and the exploration of the effectiveness of new methodology to solve measurement problems. Dr. Skaggs’s recent research has focused on the performance of test equating methodology when samples are extremely small, the effectiveness of standard setting methods for passage-based tests, and the validity of test scores from examinees receiving special accommodations due to disabilities. Dr. Skaggs teaches courses in introductory and intermediate quantitative research methods, measurement theory, and item response theory. Prior to joining the faculty at Virginia Tech, Dr. Skaggs was an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland and an educational measurement consultant.