Dr. Bethany Fishbein
Associate Research Director, Psychometrics and Data Analysis

Dr. Bethany Fishbein oversees operations for data analysis and psychometric scaling conducted as part of the TIMSS and PIRLS projects and other related studies. This includes maintaining the achievement trend scales and context scales, managing data analysis and results production for publications, and coordinating processes for automated and human scoring. Dr. Fishbein oversees the creation of the International Databases, authors study reports and peer reviewed articles, and plays a lead role in maintaining communications across various stakeholders involved in the TIMSS and PIRLS studies, including country participants as well as secondary data users.

Dr. Fishbein played an important role in building capacity for computer-based data analysis, including analyzing log file and process data and integrating the complex data files into data processing and reporting flows. She supports assessment content and software development by informing best practices for data capture and database structure to facilitate secondary analysis. She also has experience in developing assessment instruments for cognitive and non-cognitive aspects of student learning.

In addition to her work at the TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center, Dr. Fishbein holds a position as part-time faculty instructor for the department of Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment at Boston College.

Prior to joining the TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center in 2013, Dr. Fishbein gained experience in international comparative research as a research assistant at the College Board and worked for two years as a research assistant in School Psychology at Fordham University. She holds undergraduate degrees in mathematics and psychology from Syracuse University, and completed her doctoral degree in Measurement, Evaluation, Assessment, and Statistics (MESA) at Boston College’s Lynch School of Education at Human Development.