“I’m a psychometrician.” Dr. Jennifer Dunn is used to being greeted by blank stares at this introduction. But she shows here the study of psychometrics can show us a lot about not just test results, but how we motivate change through a healthy understanding of and respect for data.

Jennifer Dunn is the Director of Psychometrics, Research, Data and Reporting Services at Measured Progress, a not for profit educational assessment company. Her early interest in research, teaching and learning, combined with an aptitude for mathematics, led her to a Ph.D. in psychometrics. Dr. Dunn joined the National Center for Improvement in Educational Assessment, where she gained practical experience about how psychometric principles could be used to inform educational policy decisions and the subsequent ramifications for students, parents and teachers.

Drawing on over fifteen years of psychometric experience, Dr. Dunn serves as the primary psychometric advisor for Measured Progress, providing strategic psychometric support through the designs and implementation of research initiatives that inform all aspects of educational assessment.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx